The six key types of workplace hazards that can occur across a wide range of environments are listed below:
Safety hazards are unsafe items or conditions that could lead to an accident or injury if left unattended or unimproved. They generally fall into two broad categories – unsafe equipment or tools, and unsafe practices or environments – and include things like:
- High or unstable working platforms
- Damaged or faulty wiring
- Heavy items that could fall or spill
- Tripping or slipping hazards
- Confined spaces
- Low visibility or air quality
- Risky or dangerous tasks
Physical hazards are items or conditions present that can hurt people bodily without the victim actually having to come into direct contact with them. Typical examples could be:
- Radiation
- Severe weather conditions
- Prolonged exposure to sun and/or UV light
- Extremes of temperature
- Excessive noise
Chemical hazards are when exposure to noxious substances in any state – solid, liquid or gas – causes illness or physical harm such as skin irritation, breathing difficulties or eye damage. Examples might be:
- Caustic substances such as cleaning products, especially industrial
- Paints, preservatives and other coatings
- Acid and alkaline substances
- Glues and solvents
- Gasses or fumes released as a result of combustion or welding
- Gasses or fumes released by chemical mixtures
- Flammable or explosive compounds
- Pesticides
- Industrial waste or by-products
Biological hazards are human or animal-related by-products and scenarios that can cause injury or illness if people come into direct contact with them. This could include:
- Animal or insect bites
- Germs and bacteria
- Human or animal waste
- Contagious diseases or viruses
- Blood and other bodily fluids
- Other infection risks
- Mould or fungi
Ergonomic hazards are situations that will cause physical discomfort, damage or degeneration due to body position or type of work. These hazards can often occur or impact people gradually over time, rather than in an instant, and are therefore sometimes harder to spot. Some frequent causes are:
- Poorly set up chairs, desks and other workstations
- Any situation that requires adopting an uncomfortable posture
- Extended periods of standing or sitting
- Frequent heavy lifting, or lifting with incorrect posture
- Repetitive motions and movements
- Excessive vibration
- Tasks requiring significant physical force
Organisational hazards are typically more emotionally damaging but can also have direct physical implications in either the short or long-term. Whether the impact is a cause of worker stress (i.e. short-term) or strain (long-term), they can include factors like:
- Excessive workload demand
- Overly intense or extended periods of pressure
- Fear or insecurity, either physical or relating to longer-term job prospects
- Social isolation or alienation in the workplace
- Bullying, discrimination or harassment, including sexual
- Lack of flexibility
- Lack of responsibility
- Lack of control