Insects– may cause allergic Wet or damp materials that reactions. grow, for example, in greenhouses or granaries. Plant material may cause an – allergic reaction. Viruses and bacteria may – cause viral or bacterial infections Fungi and mold may cause or illnesses, e.g., the flu is a viral – allergic reactions or infections. illness. Work-related stress. Deadlines or sales targets. Harassment in the workplace. Stress from personal life (e.g., divorce, moving, death) Chemical Hazards Each person may react in a different way to different psychological Chemical hazards include chemical hazards. mists, vapours, gases, dusts of fumes. Chemical hazards may be in: Cleaning products. Paint materials. Risk Factor Dust/dirt. Asbestos. Hazardous chemicals. Risk is the chance of injury, harm or loss. Ergonomic Hazards Once a hazard is identified, the risk factor or level for that hazard can be Ergonomic hazards are things in the assessed by figuring out: workplace that do not fit with a such as: worker’s needs, How likely is it that the incident Desks, chairs, and tables that do will occur? not fit the body shape worker’s and size. If the incident occurs, how bad will be the injury, harm or loss? Equipment and tools not adaptable to a shape worker’s and size. The risk factor is greater when a Workplaces that are not suited hazard is known to have caused to the task (e.g., trying to answer harm, injury or loss in the past. the phone in a very noisy area.) Knowing how often a worker is in Psychological Hazards contact with a hazard helps to identify the risk factor. Psychological hazards include:
Insects– may cause allergic reactions. Plant material – may cause an allergic reaction. Fungi and mold – may cause allergic reactions or infections. Wet or damp materials that grow, for example, in greenhouses or granaries. Viruses and bacteria – may cause viral or bacterial infections or illnesses, e.g., the flu is a viral illness. Chemical Hazards Chemical hazards include chemical mists, vapours, gases, dusts of fumes. Chemical hazards may be in: Cleaning products. Paint materials. Dust/dirt. Asbestos. Hazardous chemicals. Ergonomic Hazards Ergonomic hazards are things in the workplace that do not fit with a worker’s needs, such as: Desks, chairs, and tables that do not fit the worker’s body shape and size. Equipment and tools not adaptable to a worker’s shape and size. Workplaces that are not suited to the task (e.g., trying to answer the phone in a very noisy area.) Psychological Hazards Psychological hazards include: Work-related stress. Deadlines or sales targets. Harassment in the workplace. Stress from personal life (e.g., divorce, moving, death) Each person may react in a different way to different psychological hazards. Risk Factor Risk is the chance of injury, harm or loss. Once a hazard is identified, the risk factor or level for that hazard can be assessed by figuring out: How likely is it that the incident will occur? If the incident occurs, how bad will be the injury, harm or loss? The risk factor is greater when a hazard is known to have caused harm, injury or loss in the past. Knowing how often a worker is in contact with a hazard helps to identify the risk factor.