Types of Health Hazards

Workers are exposed to three main types of health hazards during their various tasks: physical, biological, and chemical.

Physical hazards refer to hazards that cause a negative impact on the body. These are the most common hazards in the workplace. Physical hazards can come from exposure to temperature extremes; loud noise; traumatic events, such as a fall, electrocution, or blunt force; repetitive motion, vibration, and other ergonomic conditions; and ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.

Biological hazards refer to hazards that come from working with animals, people, or infectious plant materials. These hazards include exposure to mold, blood-borne pathogens, bacteria, poisonous plants, and infectious diseases.

Chemical hazards refer to hazards associated with a specific chemical or toxic substance for which there is scientific evidence that it may cause acute or chronic negative health effects to exposed employees. Chemical hazards may take the form of a gas, vapor, fume, dust, or mist. These hazards may damage the lungs, skin, eyes, mucous membranes, or specific organs. They may cause irritation, sensitization, or carcinogenic consequences, and they may also pose physical hazards such as flammability, corrosion, and reactivity.

To learn more about Industrial Chemical Hazards visit our Industrial Chemical Hazards & Toxic Substances Online Training web page.