Legal Definitions - occupational hazard

Occupational Hazard

An occupational hazard refers to a danger or risk that is inherent to a particular job or profession. These are specific risks that workers face because of the nature of their work, distinct from general risks encountered in daily life. Occupational hazards can lead to immediate accidental injuries or to long-term occupational diseases that develop over time due to repeated exposure or strain.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a federal agency responsible for ensuring safe and healthful working conditions, identifies various categories of occupational hazards. These include risks related to physical safety, exposure to harmful chemicals or biological agents, environmental factors like extreme temperatures or noise, and ergonomic issues such as repetitive motions or awkward postures.

Here are some examples:

• Example 1: A commercial deep-sea diver faces the occupational hazard of decompression sickness (commonly known as "the bends") due to rapid changes in pressure when ascending too quickly from deep water. This is a physical safety hazard unique to their profession, which can cause severe injury or even death if not managed properly through controlled ascent rates and decompression stops.

• Example 2: A laboratory technician working with certain biological samples might face the occupational hazard of accidental exposure to infectious pathogens, such as specific bacteria or viruses, through a spill or a puncture wound from contaminated equipment. This is a biological hazard that could lead to an occupational disease if proper safety protocols, like wearing personal protective equipment and handling samples carefully, are not strictly followed.

• Example 3: A professional musician who regularly performs in loud venues, such as a rock concert hall or a symphony orchestra pit, faces the occupational hazard of permanent hearing loss or tinnitus (a persistent ringing in the ears) due to prolonged exposure to high decibel levels. This is a physical hazard, an environmental factor specific to their work environment, which can result in a long-term occupational disease affecting their ability to perform and their quality of life.