IOSH Understanding Hazards 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'physical hazard' in the workplace?
- A hazard that only affects physical fitness
- A hazard arising from energy sources such as noise, vibration, radiation, temperature extremes or pressure (Correct answer)
- A hazard related to lifting heavy objects only
- A hazard that is visible to the naked eye
Correct answer: A hazard arising from energy sources such as noise, vibration, radiation, temperature extremes or pressure
Physical hazards arise from forms of energy including noise, vibration, ionising and non-ionising radiation, extremes of temperature, pressure, and electricity. They can cause immediate injury or long-term health effects such as hearing loss or vibration white finger.
Question 2: What is a 'chemical hazard'?
- Any substance stored in a chemical cupboard
- A substance that can cause harm through inhalation, ingestion, skin contact or injection, such as solvents, acids, dusts or fumes (Correct answer)
- A hazard related to chemistry lessons only
- Any substance that has a strong smell
Correct answer: A substance that can cause harm through inhalation, ingestion, skin contact or injection, such as solvents, acids, dusts or fumes
Chemical hazards include any substance that can cause harm to health through various routes of entry into the body: inhalation (breathing in), ingestion (swallowing), skin absorption or contact, or injection. Examples include solvents, acids, alkalis, dusts, fumes, and gases.
Question 3: What is a 'biological hazard'?
- A hazard found only in biology laboratories
- A hazard from living organisms or their products that can cause infection, allergy or toxic effects, such as bacteria, viruses or fungi (Correct answer)
- A hazard related to organic food
- A hazard that only affects plants and animals
Correct answer: A hazard from living organisms or their products that can cause infection, allergy or toxic effects, such as bacteria, viruses or fungi
Biological hazards include bacteria (e.g., Legionella, Leptospira), viruses (e.g., hepatitis, COVID-19), fungi (e.g., moulds), parasites, and biological products such as endotoxins. They can cause infections, allergies, and toxic reactions.
Question 4: What is an 'ergonomic hazard'?
- A hazard related to workplace aesthetics
- A hazard arising from the interaction between the worker and their work environment, leading to musculoskeletal disorders (Correct answer)
- A hazard that only applies to office workers
- A hazard caused by faulty ergonomic furniture
Correct answer: A hazard arising from the interaction between the worker and their work environment, leading to musculoskeletal disorders
Ergonomic hazards arise from poor design of workstations, tasks or tools that result in a mismatch between the worker's capabilities and the demands of the job. They can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) including back pain, repetitive strain injuries, and upper limb disorders.
Question 5: What is a 'psychosocial hazard'?
- A hazard that only affects people with mental health conditions
- A hazard arising from the way work is designed, organised or managed, causing psychological or physical harm such as stress (Correct answer)
- A hazard from social media use at work
- A hazard that cannot be assessed or controlled
Correct answer: A hazard arising from the way work is designed, organised or managed, causing psychological or physical harm such as stress
Psychosocial hazards include factors such as excessive workload, lack of control, poor management support, bullying, harassment, violence, shift work, and work-life imbalance. They can cause stress, anxiety, depression, and related physical health problems.
Question 6: Which technique is commonly used to identify hazards in the workplace?
- Only reading the safety policy
- Workplace inspections, job observations, reviewing accident data, consulting workers, and using checklists (Correct answer)
- Waiting for accidents to happen and then identifying the hazard
- Only relying on manufacturer's safety data sheets
Correct answer: Workplace inspections, job observations, reviewing accident data, consulting workers, and using checklists
Effective hazard identification uses multiple techniques: systematic workplace inspections, observing work activities, reviewing accident/incident/ill-health data, consulting workers (who know their risks best), using checklists, reviewing safety data sheets, and considering non-routine activities.
IOSH Understanding Hazards 1
What is a 'physical hazard' in the workplace?