A R D

HAZ

cause harm to a
vulnerable target.

can be both natural

or human induced
RISK
exposure to a
hazard will lead
to a negative
consequence

HAZARD
Classification of
Hazard
Natural hazards
a natural phenomenon that might have
  

a negative effect on humans and

other animals, or the environment. 
 threatened people, society, the natural
environment, and the built
environment
loss of life, property damage, and social
and economic disruption.
Geological hazard
 geological state that may lead
to widespread damage or risk.
• Earthquake • Sinkhole
• erosion • Volcanic eruption
• Lahar
• Landslide
Meteorogical/Climate
hazard
• Blizzard
• Drought
• Hailstorm
• Heat wave
• Cyclonic storm
• Ice storm
• Tornado
• Climate change
• Wildfire
Hydrological hazards
• Floods
 Biological hazard
 pose a threat to the health of living
organisms, security of property, or the
health of the environment.

viruses, parasites,
 

bacteria, food, fungi,

and foreign toxins.
The United States Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention categorizes various diseases in
levels of biohazard,
Level 1 being minimum risk
Level 4 being extreme risk.

Level 1:  
• Bacillus subtilis, 
• canine hepatitis, 
• Escherichia coli,
• varicella (chickenpox), as well as some cell
cultures and non-infectious bacteria.
Level 2: 
Bacteria and viruses that cause only mild disease
to humans, or are difficult to contract
via aerosol in a lab setting
• hepatitis A, B, and C
• influenza A strains, 
• Human respiratory syncytial virus Lyme disease 
• salmonella, 
• mumps, 
• measles, 
• scrapie, 
• dengue fever, and HIV. .
Level 3: 

Bacteria and viruses that can cause severe to fatal disease in

humans, but for which vaccines or other treatments exist
• anthrax,   
• West Nile virus,  • hantaviruses, 
• Venezuelan equine • tuberculosis, 
encephalitis,  • typhus, 
• SARS coronavirus,  • Rift Valley fever, 
• MERS coronavirus,  • Rocky Mountain
• SARS-CoV-2, spotted fever,  
• Influenza A H5N1, • yellow fever,
• and malaria.
Level 4: 
Viruses that cause severe to fatal disease in humans,
and for which vaccines or other treatments
are not available,
• Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, 
• Marburg virus, 
• Ebola virus, 
• Lassa fever virus, 
• Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever,  
• hemorrhagic diseases,  
• Nipah virus. 
• Variola virus (smallpox)
Chemical hazard
Associated with chemicals are dependent on the
dose or amount of the chemical

it can cause harm or danger to humans, property,

or the environment.

 Dangerous drugs, gas,

alcohol and any dangerous
chemicals
Routes to exposure
• Inhalation
• Absorption through
skin or eyes
• Ingestion, and
• Injection
• neurotoxins, • Sensitizers
• immune agents,
• dermatologic agents,
• carcinogens,
• reproductive toxins, •  silica dust, 
• systemic toxins, • engine exhausts, 
• asthmagens, • tobacco smoke,
• pneumoconiotic • and lead
agents,
• Stroke  
• Cancer

• High blood
pressure • Cardiovascular/h
eart disease
Anthropogenic hazard – Hazard caused by human action or inaction
Biocontainment
Biological agent – Pathogen that can be weaponized
Biosafety level – Level of the biocontainment precautions required to isolate dangerous
biological agents
Hazard – An agent which has the potential to cause harm to a vulnerable target
Health hazard
Hierarchy of hazard controls – System used in industry to eliminate or minimize
exposure to hazards
Mechanical hazard – Hazard with a mechanical energy source
Occupational exposure banding – Process to assign chemicals into categories
corresponding to permissible exposure concentrations
Occupational hazard – Hazard experienced in the workplace
Physical hazard – Hazard due to a physical agent
Planetary protection – A guiding principle in the design of an interplanetary mission,
aiming to prevent biological contamination of both the target celestial body and the
Earth
Psychosocial hazard – Occupational hazard to one's psychological well-being
Public health – Preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through
organized efforts and informed choices of society and individuals