WHAT IS HAZARD?

■ When we refer to hazards in relation to

occupational safety and health the most
commonly used definition is ‘A Hazard is a
potential source of harm or adverse health effect
on a person or persons’.
5 classification of Hazard

Physical
Biochemical
Chemical
Ergonomic
■ Psychosocial
Physical Hazard

■ A physical hazard is an agent, factor or circumstance

that can cause harm with contact. They can be
classified as type of occupational hazard or
environmental hazard. Physical hazards include
ergonomic hazards, radiation, heat and cold stress,
vibration hazards, and noise hazards.
Biochemical Hazard

■ A biological hazard, or biohazard, is a biological

substance that poses a threat to the health of
living organisms, primarily humans. This could
include a sample of a microorganism, virus or
toxin that can adversely affect human health. A
biohazard could also be a substance harmful to
other living beings.
Chemical Hazard

■ Chemical hazards are typical of hazardous

chemicals and hazardous materials in general.
Exposure to certain chemicals can cause acute or
long-term adverse health effects. Chemical
hazards are usually classified separately from
biological hazards.
Ergonomic Hazard

■ Ergonomic hazards are physical conditions that

may pose a risk of injury to the musculoskeletal
system due to poor ergonomics. These hazards
include awkward or static postures, high forces,
repetitive motion, or short intervals between
activities.
Psychosocial Hazard

■ A psychosocial hazard or work stressor is any

occupational hazard related to the way work is
designed, organized and managed, as well as the
economic and social contexts of work. Unlike the
other three categories of occupational hazard,
they do not arise from a physical substance,
object, or hazardous energy.