Hazard
Hazard
Hazard (/ˈhæzərd/; from the Old French hasard, meaning "chance") is a potential source of harm or adverse health effect on a person or persons.
Etymology
The term hazard originates from the Old French hasard, which was a game of chance played by gamblers. The term was adopted into English meaning an "unforeseen danger".
Definition
In the context of public health, a hazard is something that can cause harm, including:
Types of Hazards
Chemical Hazards
Chemical hazards are substances that can cause harm or damage to the body, property, or the environment. They can be in the form of solids, liquids, gases, mists, fumes, or dusts.
Physical Hazards
Physical hazards are factors within the environment that can harm the body without necessarily touching it. These include radiation, exposure to sunlight, temperature extremes, noise, and pressure.
Biological Hazards
Biological hazards are organic substances that pose a threat to the health of humans and other living organisms. These can include bacteria, viruses, insects, plants, birds, animals, and humans.
Ergonomic Hazards
Ergonomic hazards occur when the type of work, body positions, and working conditions put strain on your body. They are the hardest to spot since you don’t always immediately notice the strain on your body or the harm that these hazards pose.
Psychosocial Hazards
Psychosocial hazards are aspects of work that have the potential to cause psychological or physical harm. Examples of these types of hazards include workplace violence, high job demand, lack of control over one's work, and lack of social support.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hazard
- Wikipedia's article - Hazard
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