There are many types of hazards - chemical, ergonomic, physical, and psychosocial, to name a few - which can cause harm or adverse effects in the workplace. Get resources on specific hazards and their control, including identification, risk assessment and inspections, to keep your workplace healthy and safe.
Choose from the following types of hazards:
Chemicals
Access chemical information with substance. Find resources on chemical hazards, product safety, WHMIS, (M)SDSs, transport of hazardous materials, toxicity, and safe work practices.
Chemicals
Every workplace has chemicals - ranging from cleaning products to full scale chemical production. If chemicals are...
Effects on the body
In order for a chemical to become hazardous to a person's health, it must first contact or enter the body and the...
WHMIS/GHS/(M)SDS
WHMIS is a comprehensive system for providing information on the safe use of hazardous products in Canadian...
Ergonomic
Ergonomics is matching the job to the worker and product to the user. Access information and resources on workplace design and considerations, work-related musculoskeletal disorders, related risks, and helpful exercises.
Lifting, pushing, pulling
Manual materials handling (MMH) means moving or handling things by lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying,...
Sitting, standing, …
Continuous standing or sitting while working is a common source of discomfort and fatigue. Frequent changes of...
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are a group of painful disorders of muscles, tendons, and nerves. Injuries can...
Lighting
Whether in industrial or office settings, proper lighting makes all work tasks easier. Appropriate lighting can...
Shiftwork
A reality for about 25 percent of North American workers, shiftwork can disrupt workers' family and personal lives...
Office
Working in an office may seem harmless but musculoskeletal injuries can develop over time, especially for workers...
Tools
For many workers, tools are a necessary part of getting the job done. Select tools that are right for the task,...
Health
Many workplace hazards have the potential to harm workers' short- and long-term health, resulting in diseases, disorders and injuries.
Pandemics
In terms of illness, a pandemic is an outbreak of any disease such as typhoid or influenza (flu) on a large,...
Biological
Sources of biological hazards may include bacteria, viruses, insects, plants, birds, animals, and humans. These...
Diseases, Disorders, Injuries
A wide range of conditions may result from exposure in the workplace. Examples include asthma, cancer, carpal...
Mould
Moulds can grow almost everywhere and for some people the inhalation of the mould or spores can lead to health...
Zoonotic Diseases
Zoonotic diseases, such as West Nile virus infection, rabies, avian flu, and Lyme disease, are spread to humans...
Physical
Physical hazards are substances or activities that threaten your physical safety. They are the most common and are present in most workplaces at one time or another. These include unsafe conditions that can cause injury, illness and death.
Temperature
Both very cold and very hot temperatures can be dangerous to your health. In a very hot environment, the most...
Indoor Air Quality
Common causes of indoor air problems include inadequate temperature, lack of humidity or lighting; exposure to...
Noise
Noise is one of the most common workplace health hazards. In heavy industrial and manufacturing environments, as...
Radiation
Sunlight is the greatest source of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Man-made UV sources include UV lamps, arc welding,...
Psychosocial
Learn about stress, violence, bullying, and other behaviours in the context of a workplace environment.
Stress
Workplace stress is the harmful physical and emotional responses that can happen when there is a conflict between...
Violence / Bullying
Most people think of workplace violence and bullying as acts of physical assault. However, it is a much broader...
Safety
Safety hazards include tools, machinery, materials, handling, tractors, welding, etc. Also covered are prevention of slips, trips and falls, as well as driving tips and working safely with compressed air.
Driving
A lot can happen when you're behind the wheel of a car or truck. Learn about common driving hazards and...
Electrical
All electrical systems have the potential to cause harm. The voltage of the electricity and the available...
Forklifts
Forklift trucks should be operated only by experienced workers who are trained, certified or licensed to perform...
Garages
There are many precautions that you need to take when working in a garage. Know the hazards associated with the...
Ladders
Work safely with ladders, from selection and inspection, to storage and handling, and all the steps...
Machinery
Machines help get the job done, but can also be dangerous if not used properly. Read the owner's manuals...
Material Handling
Materials handling involves many activities, including the movement, protection, storage, and control of products...
Platforms
Platforms are elevated or suspended temporary work surfaces used to support workers who need to complete tasks at...
Slips, trips and falls
Slips, trips and same-level falls result from some a kind of unintended or unexpected change in the contact...
Tools
For many workers, tools are a necessary part of getting the job done. Select tools that are right for the task,...
Workplace
Hazards can be found in every workplace, and can come from a wide range of sources. This section looks at some of the more common workplace hazards, and how to eliminate or control them.
Confined Spaces
All hazards found in a regular workspace such as air quality, chemical exposures, and fires, can also be found in...
Indoor Air Quality
Common causes of indoor air problems include inadequate temperature, lack of humidity or lighting; exposure to...
Lasers
There are two types of laser hazards: the laser beam hazards and the non-beam hazards. Laser beam hazards include...
Scents
When we talk about scents, we usually mean the smells or odours from cosmetics or from other products such as air...
Temperature
Both very cold and very hot temperatures can be dangerous to your health. In a very hot environment, the most...
Ventilation
Ventilation is the mechanical system in a building that brings in fresh outdoor air and removes the contaminated...
Violence
Most people think of violence as a physical assault. However, workplace violence is a much broader problem. It is...
Weather
You can't control the weather but you can be prepared for it, from cold to hot temperatures, to lightning storms,...
Working Alone
The main focus is integrating health and safety in home-based office work through telework agreements and the...
Travel Health and Safety
Some organizations require individuals to travel abroad for work. Employers must identify all hazards to which...
