Job Hazards: Dangers in the Workplace

ByAustin Sunday

Objectives By the end of this workshop, you will:

 

› Identify how workplace injuries or illnesses can affect your everyday life.

› Identify common symptoms, aches/pains, illnesses and injuries that are associated with your work.

› Identify and recognize the exposures and hazards linked to work-related illnesses and injuries.

› Develop solutions and strategies to address these identified hazards.

What is a hazard? A hazard is generally anything that can hurt

or make you ill.

How can I recognize hazards at work?

› 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.

› There are four types of hazards:

Physical hazards Biological hazards

Ergonomic hazards Chemical hazards

CHEMICAL & DUST HAZARDS

(cleaning products, pesticides, asbestos, etc.)

BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS

(mold, insects/pests, communicable diseases, etc.)

ERGONOMIC HAZARDS

(repetition, lifting, awkward postures, etc.)

WORK ORGANIZATION

HAZARDSThings that cause STRESS!

SAFETY HAZARDS(slips, trips and falls, faulty

equipment, etc.)

PHYSICAL HAZARDS(noise, temperature

extremes, radiation, etc.)

Physical Hazards

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.

Physical Hazards Examples of physical hazards include:

› Electrical hazards: frayed cords, missing ground pins, improper wiring, unguarded machinery, moving machinery parts

› Constant loud noise

› High exposure to sunlight/UV rays, heat or cold, working from heights – including ladders, scaffolds, roofs, or any raised work areas

› Working with mobile equipment such as fork lifts

› Spills on the floor or tripping hazards, such as locked aisle or cords running across the floor

Biological Hazards

Biological hazards come from working with animals, people or infectious plant materials.

Work in daycare, hotel laundry and room cleaning, labs, vet offices and nursing homes may expose you to biological hazards.

Biological Hazards

The types of things you may be exposed to include:

› Blood or other bodily fluid

› Fungi

› Bacteria and viruses

› Plants

› Insect bites

› Animal and bird droppings

Ergonomic Hazards Ergonomic hazards occur when the type of work,

body position and working conditions put strain on your body.

They are the hardest to spot since you don’t always immediately notice strain on your body or the harm these hazards pose.

Short-term exposure may result in “sore muscles” the next day or in the days following the exposure, but long term exposure can result in serious long-term injuries.

Ergonomic Hazards Ergonomic hazards include:

› Poor lighting

› Improperly adjusting workstations and chairs

› Frequent lifting

› Poor posture

› Awkward movements, especially if they are repetitive

› Repeating the same movements over and over

› Having to use too much force, especially if you have to do it frequently

Chemical Hazards

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.

Chemical Hazards Beware of…

› Liquids like cleaning products, paints, acids, solvents – especially chemicals in an unlabelled container (!!)

› 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

Chemical Hazards The Workplace

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

Hierarchy of Controls

Requires a physical change to the workplace

Requires worker to

wear something

Elimination/Substitution

Requires worker or employer to do something

Most Effective

Least Effective

CONTROLS: EngineeringCONTROL AT THE SOURCE!

Limits the hazard but doesn’t entirely remove it.

Local Exhaust

Other Examples:Mechanical Guards

Wet Methods for DustEnclosures/IsolationDilution Ventilation

Proper equipment Re-designed Tools

Image: by Kare_Products

Image: by Austin Sunday

CONTROLS: AdministrativeAimed at Reducing Employee Exposure to Hazards

but Not Removing Them!

Changes in work procedures such as:

Written safety policies/rules

Schedule changes, such as: Lengthened or Additional Rest

Breaks Job Rotation Adjusting the Work Pace

Training with the goal of reducing the duration, frequency and severity of exposure to hazards

CONTROLS: PPEPersonal Protective Equipment

Control of LAST RESORT!

Special Clothing

Eye Protection

Hearing Protection

Respiratory Protection

CONTROL IS AT THE WORKER!

Hierarchy of Controls

Requires a physical change to the workplace

Requires worker to

wear something

Elimination/Substitution

Requires worker or employer to do something

Most Effective

Least Effective