Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Occupational hazard: Risks that come with working in certain jobs. There are five types of hazards: physical safety hazards (things that can cause accidents), chemical hazards (toxic substances), biological hazards (infectious diseases), physical hazards (extreme temperatures or radiation), and ergonomic risk factors (repetitive actions that can cause injury). Laws and regulations exist to protect workers from these hazards.
An occupational hazard is a risk that is associated with a specific job or occupation. These risks can be physical or health-related and can occur due to various factors in the workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified five categories of occupational hazards:
For example, a construction worker may be at risk of physical safety hazards such as falling from a height or being hit by heavy machinery. A chemist may be at risk of chemical hazards due to exposure to toxic substances in the laboratory. A healthcare worker may be at risk of biological hazards due to exposure to infectious diseases from patients.
It is important for employers to identify and mitigate occupational hazards to ensure the safety and health of their employees. OSHA has established laws and regulations to protect workers from occupational hazards in various industries throughout the United States.
Occupational disease | Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)