Hazards and Hazardous Classifications

The meaning of the words Hazard and Risk has been quiet confusing. Some Dictionary don't give a specific definitions of hazard, a times it is been refer to ask 'risk'. More information about Risk in my next post. For instance a dictionary defined hazards "as Risk or Danger".



  
WHAT IS A HAZARD?

There are many definitions for  hazards, but am going to define the one that relate to work place       health and safety.

A Hazard is refer to as any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health effects on something or someone under certain conditions at work. Basically, a hazard  can cause harm or adverse effects. For simplicity the harm can happen to individual as health effect and to organizations as property or equipment Losses. 

And that is the major reason why at times hazard is referred to as being the actual harm or the health effect it cause rather than the hazard. 

For example the disease, malaria might be called a hazard by some but in general the malaria- causing bacteria could be considered the 'hazards' or 'hazardous biological agent'.

WHAT ARE THE EXAMPLES OF A HAZARD?

A work place hazard can occur from wide range of sources.
General examples includes:

1. Things or Tools: The things or tools we use at work or home such as knife, Hammer, blades, saw Blades etc, are all example of hazards when not used properly. These tools are harmful when you have a cut on your body accidentally.

2. Substance: Chemical substance like Benzene is a good example of a hazardous substance that can cause harm to ones health when exposed to it. The harm this type of substance can cause is refer to as Leukemia.

3. Material: Materials such as Asbestos is also an example of hazardous material, exposure to this material without following the safety rules for the usage could be harmful and result to Mesothelioma.

4. Source of Energy: A source of energy is another example of a hazard. Electricity for instance can be harmful when an Electrical Engineer work directly on Electricity to rectify a particular fault without a protective equipment, or when one touches a live wire at work or home. Shock or Electrocution is the harm an Electricity hazard can cause.

5. Condition: The condition of a place at a particular time is also an example of hazard. Having a wet floor where people pass by is an example of hazard condition. One can easily slips and fall on a wet floor at work or home, so it is advisable to keep the floor of your offices and homes dry always.

6. Process: There are some processes we carry out at work to execute a job such as welding. The fume from welding is harmful there by causing a Metal fume fever when not with the normal protective Equipment. 

7. Practice: The practice in during the act of Hard Rock Mining is a hazard. During this practice, there is a possibility of particles that are harmful to occur which can result to Silicosis.

All these hazard take place mainly as a  result of not working with the normal Personal Protective Equipment (PPES) where necessary. And also not being safety cautious at all time is very dangerous.


I hope this help and make the best out of the post. Feel free to ask related question or others via comment.

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