This document provides information on hazards and types of hazards, as well as information on identifying and storing hazardous substances.

2. OBJECTIVES
• At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
 Describe what is a hazard and classify the various types of
hazards
 Describe what is a hazardous substance
 Identify the types of hazards associated with hazardous
substances
 Associate hazard pictograms with the relevant hazard
 Discuss the importance of
an MSDS, and
 Explain how to store
hazardous substances safely

3. • A hazard is a source or a situation with
the potential for harm in terms of human
injury or ill-health, damage to property,
damage to the environment, or a
combination of these.
What is a hazard?
H A Z A R D S

4. TYPES OF HAZARDS
Hazards can be broadly grouped based on
their nature. Hazards are commonly
classified by the following categories:
 Physical
 Safety
 Ergonomic
 Psychological
 Biological
 Chemical
H A Z A R D S

5. Physical Hazards
Physical hazards are factors within the environment
that can harm the body with or without contact such
as:
 Extreme temperatures- hot and cold
 Exposure to sunlight/ultra violet rays
 Constant loud noise
 Radiation
 Vibration
 Fire
 Explosion
H A Z A R D S

6. Safety Hazards
These are the most common and will be present in most
workplaces at one time or another. Such hazards
include:
 Unguarded machinery and moving machinery parts
 Spills on floors or tripping hazards
 Working from heights
 Electrical hazards like frayed
cords, improper wiring
 Confined spaces
 Machinery-related hazards
H A Z A R D S

7. Ergonomic Hazards
These 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. They include:
 Improperly adjusted workstations and chairs
 Frequently having to use too much force
 Awkward and repetitive
movements
 Frequent lifting
 Poor posture
H A Z A R D S

8. Psychological Hazards
A psychological hazard is any occupational hazard
that affects the psychological and physical well-being
of workers, including their ability to participate in a
work environment among other people, such as:
 Stress or work-related violence
 Harassment or discrimination
 Excessive workload
 Threat of danger
 Constant low-level noise
 Alcohol or drugs
H A Z A R D S

9. Biological Hazards
Also known as biohazards, they include:
 Bacteria, viruses, fungi
 Infectious diseases
 Human and blood products
 Animal waste
 Sharp wastes
H A Z A R D S

10. Chemical Hazards
This occupational hazard is caused by exposure to
chemicals in any form solid, liquid or gas. It poses
several types of danger depending on the physical,
chemical and toxic properties of substances such as:
 Poisons
 Acids
 Cleaning agents
 Flammable materials
 Pesticides
H A Z A R D S

11. Activity 1
1. Identify six (6) hazards observed in the drawing above.
H A Z A R D S

12. What is a hazardous substance?
• A hazardous substance can be any substance,
whether solid, liquid or gas, that may cause harm to
your health. Such substances can include those
used at the workplace or home, as well as
substances that can naturally occur (such as dust).
• A hazardous substance can be classified as
chemical with a potential to cause:
 Physical hazard
 Health hazard
H A Z A R D O U S
S U B S TA N C E S

13. Hazards Associated With
Hazardous Substances
H A Z A R D O U S
S U B S TA N C E S

14. Physical Hazards
• Hazardous substances when improperly handled or
stored can cause physical hazards such as:
 Fire
 Explosion or
 Violent reaction
H A Z A R D O U S
S U B S TA N C E S

15. Health Hazards
• Hazardous substances can also be harmful to one’s
health, posing health hazards that produces:
 Short-term (acute)
health problems
 Long term (chronic)
health problems
Harm to health may happen suddenly (acute), such as
dizziness, nausea and itchy eyes or skin; or it may
happen gradually over years (chronic), such as
dermatitis or cancer. Some people can be more
susceptible than others.
H A Z A R D O U S
S U B S TA N C E S

16. Health Hazards
• OSHA considers a health hazard to be any
chemical which:
 Is toxic
 Is corrosive to the skin or eyes
 Is a respiratory sensitizer
 May cause cancer, birth defects or reproductive
issues
 Attacks specific organs
 Is harmful or deadly when inhaled
H A Z A R D O U S
S U B S TA N C E S

17. HAZARD PICTOGRAMS
• Pictograms are graphic images that immediately show
the user of a hazardous product what type of hazard is
present. With a quick glance, you can see, for example,
that the product is flammable, or if it might be a health
hazard.
• Hazard pictograms appear in the shape of a diamond
with a distinctive red border and white background. One
or more pictograms might appear on the labelling of a
single chemical.
H A Z A R D O U S
S U B S TA N C E S

18. HAZARD
PICTOGRAMS
The graphic aside
shows hazard
pictograms. The bold
type is the name given
to the pictogram; the
information listed
thereunder describes
the hazard.
H A Z A R D O U S
S U B S TA N C E S

19. Activity 2
1. Name three (3) hazardous substances that can be
found at:
 Home
 School and
 The workplace
2. Identify one (1) hazard that each hazardous
substance named in question 1 can pose.
H A Z A R D O U S
S U B S TA N C E S

20. MATERIAL SAETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a document that
contains information on the potential hazards and how to
work safely with the chemical product.
 It is an essential starting point for the development of a complete
health and safety program.
 It also contains information on the use, storage,
handling and emergency procedures all related
to the hazards of the material.
 The MSDS contains much more information
about the material than the label.
 MSDSs are prepared by the supplier or manufacturer of the
material.
 It is intended to tell what the hazards of the product are, how to
use the product safely, what to expect if the recommendations are
not followed, what to do if accidents occur, how to recognize
symptoms of overexposure, and what to do if such incidents occur.
H A Z A R D O U S
S U B S TA N C E S

21. What information is on the MSDS?
The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) generally show the
following :
 Product Information: product identifier (name), manufacturer
and suppliers names, addresses, and emergency phone
numbers
 Hazardous Ingredients
 Physical Data
 Fire or Explosion Hazard Data
 Reactivity Data: information on the chemical instability of a
product and the substances it may react with
 Toxicological Properties: health effects
 Preventive Measures
 First Aid Measures
 Preparation Information: who is responsible for preparation and
date of preparation of MSDS
H A Z A R D O U S
S U B S TA N C E S

22. When would I use an MSDS?
It is always important to be familiar
with the hazards of a product
BEFORE you start using it. You
should look at a MSDS, match the
name of the chemical on your
container to the one on the MSDS,
know the hazards, understand safe
handling and storage instructions, as
well as understand what to do in an
emergency.
H A Z A R D O U S
S U B S TA N C E S

23. RELABELLING OF
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
• Relabeling can take place when:
 Your employer chooses to use an OSHA-approved label in
your workplace.
 A large quantity of a
chemical is broken
down into smaller
ones to use in
different areas.
• Never use a chemical from an unlabeled container.
H A Z A R D O U S
S U B S TA N C E S

24. STORING OF
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
Safe storage begins with an up-to-date inventory of
hazardous chemicals that can be used to apprise
personnel of the dangers in a laboratory, shop, or work
area. An accurate inventory is also necessary if emergency
responders are to respond effectively to a fire or chemical
release in the area. The following basic storage
requirements apply to all hazardous chemicals:
 Label storage areas according to the type of chemical family
or hazard classification
 Inspect storage areas at least annually
 Keep storage areas well lit, appropriately ventilated, and at a
consistent, cool temperature
H A Z A R D O U S
S U B S TA N C E S

25. STORING OF
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
 Eliminate ignition sources such as open flames, heat sources, or
direct sunlight
 Keep emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers handy
and in good working order
 Confine chemical storage areas so that leaks or spills are
controlled. Prevent chemicals from running down sink, floor, or
storm water drains. Clean up spills and drips immediately
 Don’t store chemicals on dirt or grass, near a creek or storm
drain entrance, where they could contaminate the environment
 Don’t store chemicals on the floor, window ledges, or balconies.
H A Z A R D O U S
S U B S TA N C E S

26. REFERENCES
 Gislason, E. (2018). Types of hazards. Retrieved from
https://naspweb.com/blog/types-of-hazards
 CCOHS. (n.d.). WHMIS 1988 - Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs):
General. Viewed on 19/08/2021 and retrieved from
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/legisl/msdss.html
 Atlantic. (n.d.). Do you know the hazard communication pictograms?.
Viewed on 18/08/2021 and retrieved from
https://www.atlantictraining.com/blog/hazard-communication-pictograms
 PicsHealth. (2018). Health and safety hazards in the workplace pictures
[Image]. https://picshealth.blogspot.com/2018/06/health-and-safety-
hazards-in-workplace.html

27. “People who do stupid things with hazardous materials often die.”
Jim Davidson