Hazard
Recognition

A hazard is any source of potential damage, harm, or adverse health effects on something or someone.

Hazards vs. Risks: A hazard is the source of danger; risk is the likelihood of harm actually occurring. Understanding this distinction is critical for effective safety management.

Hazards exist everywhere — the key is learning to identify them before they cause harm.

• Physical — slips, falls, machinery, noise, temperature
• Chemical — toxic fumes, corrosive liquids, flammable materials
• Biological — pathogens, mold, bacteria, viruses
• Ergonomic — repetitive motion, heavy lifting, poor posture
• Psychosocial — stress, harassment, fatigue, violence

Physical hazards are the most common type of workplace hazard. They include environmental factors that can cause harm without necessarily touching a substance.

• Slips, trips, and falls — wet floors, uneven surfaces, clutter
• Moving machinery and equipment — unguarded belts, gears, blades
• Electrical hazards — exposed wiring, overloaded circuits
• Noise above 85 decibels — prolonged exposure causes hearing loss
• Extreme temperatures — heat stress, cold stress
• Falling objects from heights — tools, materials, debris
• Confined spaces — limited entry/exit, poor ventilation

A systematic approach to finding and fixing hazards involves five key steps:

1. Identify Hazards — Walk the workplace, review records, talk to workers
2. Assess the Risk — How severe? How likely? Who's exposed?
3. Prioritize — Address the most dangerous hazards first
4. Control the Hazard — Use the Hierarchy of Controls
5. Monitor & Review — Regularly reassess and update

The Hierarchy of Controls ranks hazard control methods from most effective to least effective:

1. Elimination — Remove the hazard completely
2. Substitution — Replace with something less dangerous
3. Engineering Controls — Isolate people from the hazard (guards, ventilation)
4. Administrative Controls — Change the way people work (training, procedures, signage)
5. PPE — Personal Protective Equipment (last resort, not first choice!)

Regular inspections are essential for catching hazards early. Here's what to look for during an inspection:

• Housekeeping — clean, organized, clear walkways
• Electrical — no frayed cords, proper grounding
• Fire safety — extinguishers accessible, exits clear
• PPE — available, in good condition, being used
• Machine guards — in place and functional
• Chemical storage — properly labeled and stored
• Ergonomics — workstations properly set up
• Emergency equipment — first aid kits stocked, eyewash stations working