They are typically easiest to spot but, sadly, too often overlooked because of familiarity (there are always cords running across the aisles), lack of knowledge (they aren’t seen as hazards), resistance to spending time or money to make necessary improvements or simply delays in making changes to remove the hazards (waiting until tomorrow or a time when “we’re not so busy”).

None of these are acceptable reasons for workers to be exposed to physical hazards.

Examples of physical hazards include:

electrical hazards: frayed cords, missing ground pins, improper wiring

unguarded machinery and moving machinery parts: guards removed or moving parts that a worker can accidentally touch

constant loud noise

high exposure to sunlight/ultraviolet rays, heat or cold

working from heights, including ladders, scaffolds, roofs, or any raised work area

working with mobile equipment such as fork lifts (operation of fork lifts and similar mobile equipment in the workplace requires significant additional training and experience)

spills on floors or tripping hazards, such as blocked aisle or cords running across the floor.

Biological hazards come from working with animals, people or infectious plant materials. Work in day care, hospitals, hotel laundry and room cleaning, laboratories, veterinary offices and nursing homes may expose you to biological hazards.

The types of things you may be exposed to include:

blood or other body fluids

fungi

bacteria and viruses

plants

insect bites

animal and bird droppings.

Ergonomic hazards occur when the type of work, body position and working conditions put strain on your body. They are the hardest to spot since you don’t always immediately notice the strain on your body or the harm these hazards pose. Short-term exposure may result in “sore muscles” the next day or in the days following exposure, but long term exposure can result in serious long-term injuries.

Ergonomic hazards include:

poor lighting

improperly adjusted workstations and chairs

frequent lifting

poor posture

awkward movements, especially if they are repetitive

repeating the same movements over and over

having to use too much force, especially if you have to do it frequently.

Chemical hazards are present when a worker is exposed to any chemical preparation in the workplace in any form (solid, liquid or gas). Some are safer than others, but to some workers who are more sensitive to chemicals, even common solutions can cause illness, skin irritation or breathing problems.

Beware of:

liquids like cleaning products, paints, acids, solvents especially chemicals in an unlabelled container (warning sign!)

vapours and fumes, for instance those that come from welding or exposure to solvents

gases like acetylene, propane, carbon monoxide and helium

flammable materials like gasoline, solvents and explosive chemicals.

Chemical hazards are when injury can occur through the interaction of a chemical with any part of the body. Putting salt on the skin is not a problem, but getting it in the eyes is a chemical hazard.

Ergonomic hazards are to do with body position and movement. Constantly typing with a wrongly positioned keyboard can cause repetitive stress injury (RSI) which is an ergonomic hazard.

A biological hazard usually relates to bacterial or viral agents which are dangerous if encountered. Germ warfare falls under this category.

Chemical hazard – a chemical substance that would irritate or can injure a body part; example – getting detergent splashed in the eye, or battery acid spill onto hands

Ergonomic hazard – is when a machine is not meant to be used in repetitive situations which may cause chronic pain; example – jackhammer vibration causing carpal tunnel syndrome

Biological hazard – infectious fluids and or infectious bacteria or virus which can cause serious harm and maybe fatal; examples – bird flu, hepatitus, AIDS, Legionnaire’s disease.