Procedure
WORKPLACE HAZARD 1. Identify the hazard
What is a hazard?
The meaning of the word hazard can be confusing. Often
dictionaries do not give specific definitions or combine it with the
term "risk". For example, one dictionary defines hazard as "a
danger or risk" which helps explain why many people use the
terms interchangeably.
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 is risk?
Risk is the chance or probability that a person will be harmed or
experience an adverse health effect if exposed to a hazard. It may
also apply to situations with property or equipment loss, or harmful
effects on the environment.
What is an adverse health effect?
A general definition of adverse health effect is "any change in body
function or the structures of cells that can lead to disease or health
problems".
Adverse health effects include:
 bodily injury,
 disease,
 change in the way the body functions, grows, or
develops,
 effects on a developing fetus (teratogenic effects,
fetotoxic effects),
 effects on children, grandchildren, etc. (inheritable
genetic effects)
 decrease in life span,
 change in mental condition resulting from stress,
traumatic experiences, exposure to solvents, and so on,
and
 effects on the ability to accommodate additional stress
What is a risk assessment?
Risk assessment is the process where you:
 Identify hazards and risk factors that have the potential to cause
harm (hazard identification).
 Analyze and evaluate the risk associated with that hazard (risk
analysis, and risk evaluation).
 Determine appropriate ways to eliminate the hazard, or control the
risk when the hazard cannot be eliminated (risk control).
Occupational safety and health (OSH) is a planned
system of working to prevent illness and injury where you work by
recognizing and identifying hazards and risks. Health and safety
procedure is the responsibility of all persons in the computer and
technology industries. You must identify the hazards where you are
working and decide how dangerous they are. Eliminate the hazard
or modify the risk that it presents.
Occupational Health and Safety standards
Each student has a responsibility to their colleagues and their
organization to report and act upon any potential workplace
hazard. Students need to be aware of the type of hazards that are
possibly present in their work environment.
2. Clear the area close to the hazard
3. Partition the hazard off or clearly identify the area to
protect other people from harm
4. If the hazard is easily and safely cleared, then do so
If not…
5. Report the hazard to the appropriate person (such as
teacher in charge,
principal etc.) to obtain assistance
6. Following clearing of the hazard fill out the correct
documentation to assist
in identifying improved practice to reduce further
incidence of hazards.
TYPES OF HAZARD
Workplace hazards fall into six core types – safety,
biological, physical, ergonomic, chemical and workload.
1) Safety hazards
Safety hazards can affect any employee but these
are more likely to affect those who work with machinery or
on a construction site. Safety hazards include slips, trips and
falls, operating dangerous machinery and electrical hazards.
2) Biological hazards
Biological hazards are extremely dangerous. These
include exposure to dangerous substances and diseases
associated with working amongst animals, people, or
infectious plant materials. Employees who work in hospitals,
laboratories or various other outdoor occupations are at risk
from biological hazards.
3) Physical hazards
Physical hazards can affect those who work in
extreme weather conditions or in harmful environments.
Workers that are exposed to continuous loud noise,
radiation, sun rays and ultraviolet rays could be at risk.
Physical hazards most commonly affect individuals who work
outside in the sun for long periods of time.
4) Ergonomic hazards
Ergonomic hazards affect individuals whose work
puts a strain on their body. Manual roles that require lifting or
sitting for long periods can cause damage over time. These
hazards may not be noticeable at first which makes them
much harder to identify. If your staff use improperly adjusted
workstations or have poor posture when performing manual
roles and heavy lifting, they may be at risk of injury.
5) Chemical hazards
Chemical hazards mainly threaten employees
whose roles expose them to dangerous liquids, solvents or
flammable gases. Individuals who are most likely to be
affected are those working in cleaning facilities, engineers
and employees in field based roles. Exposure to harmful
chemicals can cause illness, skin irritation, breathing
problems and, in extreme cases, death.
6) Workload hazards
Workload hazards include issues that could cause
stress or strain, such as workload, violence or aggression.
These hazards can be experienced in any job role.