The following is a representative list of occupational health and safety hazards for which an employee may require administrative controls or the protection provided by personal protective equipment. It should not be considered an exhaustive list.

Safety Hazard Sources

  • animals, birds, reptiles, vermin
  • heavy boxes, crates, packages
  • tanks, bins, excavations
  • confined spaces
  • buildings and structures
  • dangerous substances
  • mechanical transmission equipment
  • electrical apparatus
  • fire
  • glass
  • gunshots
  • hand and power tools
  • high-pressure cleaning
  • hoisting apparatus
  • isolation, no cell service, working alone
  • machines
  • metal processing
  • minerals and mineral processing
  • paper and pulp processing
  • plants, trees, vegetation
  • plastics processing
  • scrap, debris, waste materials
  • second hand trauma
  • steam
  • violent detainees
  • violent offenders
  • textile processing
  • wood processing

Health Hazard Sources

Chemical:

  • acids
  • caustics
  • liquids
  • gases
  • dusts
  • fumes
  • mists
  • narcotics
  • vapours

Physical:

  • ionizing and non-ionizing radiation
  • noise
  • vibration
  • sanitation
  • ventilation
  • natural and industrial extremes of temperatures and pressure
  • office/workplace configuration with no safe exit
  • ergonomics

Biological:

  • insects and arachnids
  • mites and Phthiraptera
  • moulds
  • yeasts
  • fungi
  • viruses
  • bacteria, including legionella

Psychological:

  • bullying, harassment
  • graphic content
  • second hand trauma
  • stress
  • traumatic situations
  • workplace mobbing