OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS
By Faudzil Harun
1. Acute Hazard
Hazards that is immediate in their effects, usually structural faults e.g.
slippery floor, unguarded machinery etc. It also includes corrosive,
poisons, explosive, flammable gases or liquids or solids.
2. Chronic Hazard
Hazards that is much more difficult to assess or identify as they usually
take a long time to have any effect. Even worse, experts may disagree
over whether they are hazards at all. Chronic health effects usually require
specialist advice to solve.
Example :
Occupational cancer, where a carcinogen (cancer causing agent) may not
have an effect for 25 years or more. Musculoskeletal Disorders caused by
the work environment such things as poorly designed office furniture
causing low back pain, carpel tunnel syndrome, tension neck syndrome,
numbness, tingling or overuse injuries involve the nerves, tendons,
muscles and supporting structures such as intervertal discs.
Hazard Group
1. Physical
Hazards due to a transfer of energy between an object and a worker
(e.g. dust, noise, smoke, vibration, poor lighting, electrical, extreme
temperature, radiation, slippery floor, damage floor, fire, explosion,
unguarded machinery, sharp tools, overcrowded workplace).
2. Chemical
Atmospheric pollutant (e.g. dust, noxious fumes and smoke), toxic gases,
liquids and vapors (e.g. solvents, acids, alkalis, detergent etc.), metals
(e.g. lead, nickel, chromium etc.) and chemicals causing contact
dermatitis.
3. Biological
Sources of biological hazards include bacteria, viruses, infectious waste,
insects, plants, birds, animals, and humans. These sources can cause a
variety of health effects ranging from skin irritation and allergies to
infections (e.g., tuberculosis, AIDS), cancer and so on.
Example :
● Syringes containing potentially infected blood.
● Specimen containers carrying potentially infected materials.
● Blood borne Pathogens (Hepatitis B and HIV).
● Avian Influenza (Bird Flu).
● Severe Acute respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
● Tuberculosis.
● Legionella bacteria and viruses from air conditioning system, etc.
4. Psychological
Hazards resulting from stress and strain caused by work factor and
personal factor.
Work Factor
Stress caused by work e.g. shift work, long hours standing or sitting,
working in extreme temperature, working in noisy condition, high working
standard, excessive job demands, under work, etc.
Stress from using equipment without proper training or instructions,
being forced into using defective tools or equipment which carry the risk
of injury, etc.
Stress in dealing with people e.g. combative customer, handling large
number of subordinates, handling difficult people, etc.
Personal Factor
Unfairness, abusement, handicapped, personal problem, sexual
harassment, etc.
5. Ergonomic
Hazards caused by badly designed machinery, mechanical devices and
tools used by workers, improper seating and workstation design, or poorly
designed work practices, includes posture, body movement and load
bearing.