A hazard is anything that can hurt you or make you ill.

We deal with hazards everyday - walking across busy streets, driving to school or work, playing sports we enjoy - and we take it for granted that nothing will happen to us. But the hazards you face at work are different. Why?

Because you've been trained how to deal with everyday hazards by your parents, teachers and coaches. You haven't been trained how to recognize, assess and control the hazards you may find in the workplace.

And, in this case, ignorance is not bliss.

Types of Hazards

Type	Example
Chemical	liquids like cleaning products, paints, acids and solvents   vapours and fumes like welding fumes and solvent vapours gases like acetylene, propane, carbon monoxide and helium flammable materials like gasoline, solvents and explosive chemicals
Physical	electricity unguarded moving machinery parts like saw blades and conveyor belts constant loud noise high exposure to sunlight/ultraviolet rays, heat or cold ladders and scaffolds liquids/spills on the floor
Biological	blood and body fluids fungi bacteria and viruses plants insect bites animal and bird droppings
Ergonomic	poor lighting poor workstations and chairs constant lifting poor posture repeating the same movements over and over having to use too much force