TOPIC NBR 2

WORK PLACE HAZARD

There are many definitions for hazard but the most common definition when talking about
workplace health and safety is:
A hazard is any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health effects on something or
someone.
Basically, a hazard is the potential for harm or an adverse effect (for example, to people as health
effects, to organizations as property or equipment losses, or to the environment).
WHAT TYPES OF HAZARDS ARE THERE?
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON HAZARDS IN A WORKPLACE?
The words ‘risk’ and ‘hazard’ are often used interchangeably.  However,  if you are responsible
for managing the health and safety in your workplace, it’s important that you understand the
difference between them. The rest of this article focuses on hazards, including where they
might be found in different workplaces. We also provide you with a range of further resources to
make your risk assessment process as smooth as possible.
The six main categories of hazards are:
 Biological. Biological hazards include viruses, bacteria, insects, animals, etc., that can
cause adverse health impacts. For example, mould, blood and other bodily fluids, harmful
plants, sewage, dust and vermin.
 Chemical. Chemical hazards are hazardous substances that can cause harm. These
hazards can result in both health and physical impacts, such as skin irritation, respiratory
system irritation, blindness, corrosion and explosions.
 Physical. Physical hazards are environmental factors that can harm an employee without
necessarily touching them, including heights, noise, radiation and pressure.
 Safety. These are hazards that create unsafe working conditions. For example, exposed
wires or a damaged carpet might result in a tripping hazard. These are sometimes
included under the category of physical hazards.
 Ergonomic. Ergonomic hazards are a result of physical factors that can result in
musculoskeletal injuries. For example, a poor workstation setup in an office, poor posture
and manual handling.

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  Psychosocial. Psychosocial hazards include those that can have an adverse effect on an
employee’s mental health or wellbeing. For example, sexual harassment, victimisation,
stress and workplace violence.

Electrical Hazards: Electrical hazards can result in burns, shock, fires, explosions and death.
Some common electrical hazards include the following:
Overhead Power Lines
Overhead power lines carry deadly voltages of electrical power. Failure to maintain a careful
distance from them can result in electrocution or severe burns.
Damaged Equipment and Tools
Tools or equipment with damaged cords and wires or other defects can pose dangers to those
using them. Additionally, untrained workers shouldn’t use tools.
Improper Wiring
Different electrical currents call for specific types of wiring. Using the wrong wiring can cause
overheating and fires
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 

Major hazards in port

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  Heavy moving equipment and machinery
 Container and cargo carrying trucks
 Stacked containers and other cargo in the yards
 High voltage powered cranes
 Cargo carrying locomotive
 Leaking ships as the berth
 Presence of dangerous or hazardous cargo
 General infrastructure

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST HAZARDS IN THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY?

1. Manual handling. Loading and unloading vehicles can be a common source of injury in
the transport sector. ...
2. Vehicles. Cars, vans and trucks all pose a unique hazard to transport workers. ...
3. Falling from a height. Whether they're on the ground or up high, ensure your employees
understand best safety practices.

Short and Long Term Impacts

These hazards can result in both health and physical impacts
 loss of life
 injuries
 job stress
 Grief and psychological trauma
 Loss of vital infrastructure, like sewers and sanitation and water
 Loss of power stations and key transport infrastructure, e.g. harbours, airports and
railway lines
 Widespread loss of housing
 Loss of a harvest or fertile soils and cattle
 Loss of fishing vessels and equipment
 Loss of forests and freshwater environments
HAZARD MAPPING
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Hazard mapping is a form of worker participation that concerns marking hazards at work stations
on a map. Hazard mapping can be applied to various issues, such as work safety, working with
chemicals, exposure to noise etc.
A picture is worth a thousand words! A Hazard Map is a technique to gain information by using
a visual representation in the form of a map of the workplace. Hazardous locations are marked
on this map. Workers record, in a pictorial form
Working with the hazards mapping approach concerns examining hazards in workplaces in a
participatory manner in which workers identify and locate hazards at their own workstations and
in their own work processes so that those hazards can be targeted for elimination. Workers
involved learn by gathering knowledge about hazards from their co-workers

Hazard Mapping
Level of Hazard
1 Low Hazard
2 Medium Hazard
3 High Hazard
4 Very High Hazard

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NOTE: Definitions of the four hazard levels vary from industry to industry and site to site. Each
workplace should develop their own guidelines
Why use hazard mapping?
THE MAIN ADVANTAGES OF HAZARD MAPPING, COMPARED TO OTHER
APPROACHES SUCH AS QUESTIONNAIRES, INTERVIEWS AND OSH SPECIALIST
RISK ASSESSMENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
 Hazard mapping is known to be an effective tool in gathering information and helping
workers to do something themselves about the hazards which affect their health and safety. 
 Involving workers ensures a collective approach is developed, protecting individuals who
may fear being not heard or singled out by management.
 Workers that are involved learn by gathering knowledge about hazards from their co-
workers.
 Hazard mapping uses a fun approach to encourage discussion, analysis and strategy
development.
 While using hazard mapping, there is no need for expensive consultants, complex
questionnaires or intrusive medicals. All that is required is a facilitator, a group of workers,
some paper and some markers.
 Minimum preparation is needed: Ready-to-go- tools are available.
 Hazard mapping is time and cost effective.