Common Hazards and Descriptions
Electrical (Loss of Power): Safety-critical equipment failure as a result of loss of power.
Ergonomics (Strain): Damage of tissue due to overexertion (strains and sprains) or repetitive motion. Most workplace accidents are caused by worker overexertion while performing a task.
Ergonomics in the Workplace
Ergonomics (Human Error): A system design, procedure, or equipment that is error-provocative (A switch goes up to turn something off).
Excavation (Collapse): Soil collapse in a trench or excavation as a result of improper or inadequate shoring. Soil type is critical in determining the hazard likelihood.
Fall (Slip, Trip): Conditions that result in falls (impacts) from height or traditional walking surfaces (such as slippery floors, poor housekeeping, uneven walking surfaces, exposed ledges, etc.).
Fire/Heat: Temperatures that can cause burns to the skin or damage to other organs. Fires require a heat source, fuel, and oxygen.
Mechanical: Typically occurs when devices exceed designed capacity or are inadequately maintained. Skin, muscle, or body part exposed to crushing, caught-between, cutting, tearing, shearing items or equipment.
Noise: Noise levels (>85 dBA 8 hr TWA) that result in hearing damage or inability to communicate safety-critical information.
Radiation (Ionizing): Alpha, Beta, Gamma, neutral particles, and X-rays that cause injury (tissue damage) by ionization of cellular components.
Radiation (Non-Ionizing): Ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, and microwaves that cause injury to tissue by thermal or photochemical means.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-9. Which hazard type causes most injuries in the workplace?
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