A hazard is any source of potential damage or harm to someone or something. Hazard identification is part of the process used to evaluate if any particular situation, item, or thing may have the potential to cause harm. Risk assessment is a term used to describe the overall process or method of identifying hazards, assessing the risk of hazards, and prioritizing hazards associated with a specific activity, task, or job. [1] [1] [5]

Common types of hazards include:

• Biological - bacteria, viruses, fungi, insects, plants, and animals.
• Chemical - depends on the physical, chemical, and toxic properties of the product
• Ergonomic - repetitive movements, improper setup of workstations, etc.
• Physical - radiation, magnetic fields, temperature extremes, pressure extremes (high pressure or vacuum), noise, vibration, etc.
• Psychosocial - stress, violence, harassment, etc.
• Safety - slipping or tripping hazards, inappropriate machine guarding, equipment malfunctions or breakdowns.

[3] [3] [3] [3] [3] [3] Main ways to control hazards include:

• Elimination: remove the hazard from the workplace.
• Substitution: replace the hazard with a less hazardous one.
• Engineering Controls: includes designs or modifications to plants, equipment, ventilation systems, and processes that reduce the source of exposure.
• Administrative Controls: alter how the work is done, including timing of work, policies and other rules, and work practices.
• Personal Protective Equipment: equipment worn by individuals to reduce exposure.

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