Defining Occupational Hazards
Usually broadly defined as any hazard that can be in a workplace, in recent years, these have become more defined within specific industries, as each is unique and may come with its own set of dangers. However, there are some consistent through-lines for what could be considered an occupational hazard anywhere.
These hazards are divided into six distinct categories:
- Physical
- Chemical
- Biological
- Radiological
- Ergonomic
- Behavioral
How These Can Vary
With each industry comes a new set of hazards, for example, what is considered hazardous in a hospital is not going to be the same as a standard desk job. One deals with more biological and chemical hazards while the other may be more focused on preventing ergonomic issues for its employees. In general, you can figure out what your job’s potential occupational hazards could be based on the type of company and work you will be doing.
In 2020, the standards of occupational hazards had to be adjusted because of the coronavirus. Some employers turned their companies into all remote, which came with its own unique set of challenges. On the other hand, grocery stores and healthcare facilities had to consider this virus one of the hazards of their job and adjusted workers compensation accordingly.
OSHA Standards for Hazard Communication
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) set a standard in 2013 for which hazards must be clearly communicated in the workplace. While these mainly pertain to any industries specifically dealing with the handling of chemicals, they are a good rule of thumb to follow for any occupational hazard. The short list of standards include:
- Appropriate labelling of hazardous materials.
- Clearly classifying health and physical hazards.
- Safety data sheets will have 16 sections.
- Employees must be trained on hazard communication and handling hazardous materials.
Workers Compensation or Hazard Pay Questions? We Can Help
Turner Law Group has been aggressively advocating for employees’ rights for decades. Our team specializes in workers compensation and other areas of employment law so that we can comprehensively help you with your case.
If you or a loved one is seeking representation for a workers compensation case, schedule a consultation with our attorneys by calling (800) 653-0198.