Identifying Workplace Hazards

1. Safety Hazards

These are the most common and will be present in most workplaces at one time or another. They include unsafe conditions that can cause injury, illness and death.
Safety Hazards include:

• Spills on floors or tripping hazards such as blocked aisles or cords running across the floor
• Working from heights including ladders, scaffolds, roofs, or any raised work area
• Unguarded machinery and moving machinery parts; guards removed or moving parts that a worker can accidentally touch
• Electrical hazards like frayed cords, missing ground pins, improper wiring
• Confined spaces
• Machinery-related hazards ( lockout/tagout, boiler safety, forklifts, etc.)

2. Biological Hazards

Associated with working with animals, people, or infectious plant materials. Workers most at-risk of biological hazards include those who work in schools, day care facilities, colleges and universities, hospitals, laboratories, emergency response, nursing homes, outdoor occupations.
Types of biological hazards workers may be exposed to:

• Blood and other body fluids
• Fungi/mold
• Bacteria and viruses
• Plants
• Insect bites
• Animal and bird droppings

3. Chemical Hazards

Are present when a worker is exposed to any chemical preparation in the workplace in any form (solid, liquid or gas). Some are safer than others but, to some workers who are more sensitive to chemicals, even common solutions can cause illness, skin irritation, or breathing problems.
Beware of:

• Liquids like cleaning products, paints, acids, solvents – ESPECIALLY if chemicals are in an unlabeled container!
• Vapors and fumes that come from welding or exposure to solvents
• Gases like acetylene, propane, carbon monoxide and helium
• Flammable materials like gasoline, solvents, and explosive chemicals
• Pesticides

Browse here for free safety checklists you can use to manage chemical hazards.

4. Ergonomic Hazards

Occur when the type of work, body positions, and working conditions put strain on the body. They are the hardest to spot since you don’t always immediately notice the strain on the body and the harm that these hazards pose. Short term exposure may result in “sore muscles” the next day or in the days following exposure while long-term exposure can result in serious long-term illnesses.
Ergonomic Hazards include:

• Improperly adjusted workstations and chairs
• Frequent lifting
• Poor posture
• Awkward movements, especially if they are repetitive
• Repeating the same movements over and over
• Having to frequently use too much force
• Vibration

Learn more about ergonomics in the workplace and 10 simple ergonomic principles to follow. Also browse for these free ergonomic assessment checklists.

5. Work Organization Hazards

Hazards or stressors that cause stress (short term effects) and strain (long-term effects). These are the hazards associated with workplace issues such as workload, lack of control and/or respect, etc.
Examples of work organization hazards include:

• Workload demands
• Workplace violence
• Intensity and/or pace
• Respect (or lack of)
• Flexibility/Control or say about things
• Social support/relations
• Sexual harassment

6. Physical Hazards

Are factors within the environment that can harm the body without necessarily touching it.
Physical Hazards include:

• Radiation: including ionizing, non ionizing (EMF’s, microwaves, radio waves, etc.)
• Prolonged exposure to sunlight/ultraviolet rays
• Temperature extremes – hot and cold
• Constant loud noise