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.

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. The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is designed to make sure you have the information you need to evaluate any hazards and take action to protect yourself.

‘Psychosocial Health Hazard’ is defined in terms of interactions amongst job content, work organisation and management, and other environmental and organisational conditions, on the one hand, and the employee’s competencies and needs, on the other. Those interactions that prove to be hazardous, influence the health of employees Psychological Health Procedure Sept 2005 4 through employee perceptions and experience. (International Labour Organisation, 1986).

how do you find a hazard? learning to spot a hazard presented by

how do you find a hazard? What is a hazard? a hazard is generally anything that can hurt you or make you ill

how do you find a hazard? ask yourself what if? questions what if I bump into the open container of hot oil? what if the forklift tips over on my co-worker in a fast turn? what if I inhale the toxic fumes from the toilet cleaning chemicals?

how do you find a hazard? learning to spot a hazard before an incident happens … it is the first step to staying safe

how do you find a hazard? learning to spot a hazard … every job will have slightly different hazards

how do you find a hazard? learning to spot a hazard … the first step to protecting yourself is being able to recognize hazards in the work you're assigned and in the conditions you're working in

physical hazards biological hazards chemical hazards psychosocial hazards how do you find a hazard? learning to spot a hazard … there are four main types of hazards:

how do you find a hazard? learning to spot a hazard … physical hazards are the most common and will be present in most workplaces at one time or another. They include unsafe conditions that can cause injury, illness and death.

using the same tool all day long being crushed by equipment using electric equipment with frayed cords tripping on items lying on the floor working in a noisy place how do you find a hazard? learning to spot a hazard … examples of physical hazards include:

high exposure to sunlight/ultraviolet rays, heat or cold working with mobile equipment such as fork lifts unguarded machinery and moving machinery parts working from heights, including ladders, scaffolds, roofs, or any raised work area spills on floors or tripping hazards, such as blocked aisle or cords running across the floor how do you find a hazard? learning to spot a hazard … more examples of physical hazards:

how do you find a hazard? learning to spot a hazard … 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.

blood or other body fluids fungi bacteria and viruses plants insect bites animal and bird droppings how do you find a hazard? learning to spot a hazard … biological hazards, the types of things you may be exposed to include:

how do you find a hazard? learning to spot a hazard … 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.

liquids like cleaning products, paints, acids, solvents especially chemicals in an unlabelled container (warning sign!) vapors 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 how do you find a hazard? learning to spot a hazard … chemical hazards, beware of:

using cleaning products regularly using paint materials regularly working around lots of dust exposure to asbestos using toxic chemicals how do you find a hazard? learning to spot a hazard … more examples of chemical hazards:

how do you find a hazard? learning to spot a hazard … psychosocial hazards are defined in terms of interactions amongst job content, work organization and management, and other environmental and organizational conditions.

intimidation, verbal abuse working long hours rotating shift work how do you find a hazard? learning to spot a hazard … associated with workplace violence, working conditions, stress, fatigue examples of psychosocial hazards:

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