A hazard is a condition or state that is likely (or guaranteed) to cause injuries, damages, losses or even death if left unresolved. Hazards can take many forms, but one of the most common ones is the unsafe operation of devices that conduct potentially lethal amounts of electricity or other kinds of energy, such as railways – they develop huge amounts of kinetic energy.
Technipages Explains Hazard
When hazards are present, special safety measures have to be taken in order to protect people, but also assets from suffering damages. That can mean many things – from making sure the right kind of safety equipment is around to reducing the likelihood of an incident occurring by restricting access, there are as many solutions as there are hazards. Procedures that detail how to safely deal with hazards that can’t be eliminated or avoided entirely are a must-have for situations where people (or assets) come in contact with them.
To use the railway example again – with many known risks and hazards, over the years and decades the industry has operated, safety procedures and best practices have been developed. They can help reduce the amount of incidents and, as long as they are followed, make the workplace safer. Individuals ignoring these procedures or safety equipment generally do so at their own risk – having procedures can also protect the company against liability claims in case of accidents or incidents.
Hazards can occur in any sort of workplace, be it an office, train station or car warehouse. Different situations and environment come with different hazards, and thus each require a unique way of dealing with them. While some places are generally less hazardous than others, hazards can occur anywhere.
Common Uses of Hazard
- Hazards can cause damage to life and health, as well as property if an incident occurs.
- Correctly dealing with hazards means outlining safety procedures.
- Hazards in the workplace need to be addressed ASAP.
Common Misuses of Hazard
- Hazards occur when working with chemicals marked as hazardous.
