1. Workplace Safety Unit 2

2. Hazard Any substance, or physical property of equipment, process, or task design that poses a potential threat to the health and/or safety of the individual, or causes significant discomfort and inefficiency among workers.

3. Hazard Categories 1.Chemical 2.Physical 3.Biological 4.Ergonomic

4. Chemical Hazards Dust/Fibers – Solid particles of materials such as silica, coal, cotton, asbestos. Furstes – Particles formed when material from a volatilized solid condenses in cool air, such as nickel, beryllium, zinc, iron.

5. Chemical Hazards Smokes – Solid/liquid particles resulting from incomplete combustion of materials such as wood, coal, plants, petroleum products. Mists/Aerosols – Liquid particles suspended in air, such as chromic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid.

6. Chemical Hazards Gases – Formless fluids that expand to occupy the space or enclosure to which they are confined such as: hydrogen-sulphide, chlorine, carbon monoxide. Vapors – The gaseous form of normally solid or liquid substances subject to evaporation, such as: gasoline, alcohol, paint, thinners, solvents.

7. Physical Hazards Noise – Unwanted or excessive sound Temperature – High or low extremes Illumination – Lighting level, intensity and glare Vibration – To and fro motion or oscillation; transmitted to the body as “whole body” vibration or “segmental” vibration.

8. Physical Hazards Pressure – Inadequate or excessive atmospheric force for the body. Radiation – The process in which energy in the form of rays is sent through space from atoms and molecules as they undergo internal change. Ionizing radiation – Evolves from the nucleus of an atom: non-ionizing from varying electric and magnetic fields, such as: ultraviolet, laser, infrared, microwave, radio frequency

9. Biological Hazards Bacteria Viruses Fungi-Molds Mites Insects Parasites Plants Animals

10. Ergonomic Hazards Repetitive motion Heavy lifting Awkward or static posture Fatigue Overexertion Monotony Perceptual confusion or overload Varying metabolic cycles Direct pressure Excessive force