Five Types Of Risks

IF YOU KNOW THE FIVE TYPES OF RISKS, IT WILL BE EASIER TO AVOID BEING HURT.

WHY IS WORK RISKY?

Work is risky for a number of different reasons. At work you might be:

• using powerful tools

• working with dangerous chemicals

• exposed to germs

The tools may be poorly designed or in poor repair, the people you work with might become angry and violent. You may also find that the pace of work is so fast that it becomes stressful.

All of these factors could lead to your being injured on the job.

There are five major types of hazards which can put both your health and your safety at risk.

¹Chemical hazards, ²Physical hazards, ³Biological hazards, ⁴Job design, ⁵Stress.

¹Chemical hazards

If you are working with cleaning products, bleaches, paints, and other chemical agents, you need to understand what a chemical hazard is as well as how to protect yourself. Chemical hazards include:

• Liquids such a cleansers, acids, and paints

• Vapours and fumes such as welding fumes

• Gases such as carbon monoxide

• Products that can catch fire or explode

²Physical hazards include

• Machinery

• Electrical power

• Noise

• Power and hand tools

• working and walking surfaces

• Trip and fall hazards

• Ladders and scaffolds

• Heat and cold

• Noise

• Ventilation

³Biological hazards

Why be careful around ticks, mouse droppings, bird poop and wild animals? Because you can get sick from working around certain animals, including people. Biological hazards include bacteria, viruses, insects, plants, birds, animals, and humans. The risks run from skin irritation and allergies to infections. Dangers can come from:

• Unclean restrooms

• Mold and fungus

• Bacteria

• Insect stings

• Animal bites

• Poorly stored medical waste

⁴Job design (Ergonomics)

If your job is poorly designed, you can develop long term health problems. These problems can arise from simple things, like working for long periods in an awkward position or having to make the same motions over and over again. Problems can come from:

• Lighting

• Chairs

• Lifting

• Repeated movements

• Computer screens

⁵Stress

Stress can lead to long-term health problems. Headaches, anxiety, and impatience are early signs of stress. Workplace causes of stress include:

• Heavy workloads

• Lack of control over the pace of work

• Shift work

• Noise

• Working by yourself

• Fear of job loss

• Conflict with the employer