What Are the Most Common Hazards in a Workplace?

Motiram

Reading — Intermediate Level
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Activity

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The words ‘risk’ and ‘hazard’ are often used interchangeably. However, if you are responsible for managing the health and safety in your workplace, it’s important that you understand the difference between them. The rest of this article focuses on hazards, including where they might be found in different workplaces. We also provide you with a range of further resources to make your risk assessment process as smooth as possible.
The six main categories of hazards are:
• Biological. Biological hazards include viruses, bacteria, insects, animals, etc., that can cause adverse health impacts. For example, mould, blood and other bodily fluids, harmful plants, sewage, dust and vermin.
• Chemical. Chemical hazards are hazardous substances that can cause harm. These hazards can result in both health and physical impacts, such as skin irritation, respiratory system irritation, blindness, corrosion and explosions.
• Physical. Physical hazards are environmental factors that can harm an employee without necessarily touching them, including heights, noise, radiation and pressure.
• Safety. These are hazards that create unsafe working conditions. For example, exposed wires or a damaged carpet might result in a tripping hazard. These are sometimes included under the category of physical hazards.
• Ergonomic. Ergonomic hazards are a result of physical factors that can result in musculoskeletal injuries. For example, a poor workstation setup in an office, poor posture and manual handling.
• Psychosocial. Psychosocial hazards include those that can have an adverse effect on an employee’s mental health or wellbeing. For example, sexual harassment, victimisation, stress and workplace violence.

  1. How many hazards have been mentioned in this text?
  2. Which hazard causes respiratory system irritation?
  3. Insecure working conditions are caused by   hazards.
  4. Which one of the following is the cause of psychological hazard?
  5. Biological hazards include mental disorder.
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Discussion

Practice your writing skills by discussing the questions below

  1. Which one of the hazards is causing the tremendous loss in the present time and what measure can be taken to get rid off it?
  2. Why do you think saftey hazards are to be taken into consideratin?
  3. Why do you think saftey hazards are to be taken into consideratin?
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