Hazard Categories
It's helpful to think of workplace hazards as existing in five general hazard categories and 13 more specific types. We'll take a look at the five hazard categories and 13 hazard types throughout the rest of this module. All this will help you improve your knowledge and skills in proactive hazard identification to help eliminate hazards in the workplace.
Five General Hazard Areas
All workplace hazards exist in five general categories. You can remember them by using the mnemonic, "MEEPS". Here are some examples:
- Materials - liquids, solids, gases, etc.
- Environment - noise, radiation (non-ionizing and ionizing), humidity, temperature, atmospheres, workstation design
- Equipment - includes machinery, tools, devices
- People - unsafe behaviors, employee fatigue, stress, hurry, drugs, etc.
- System - flawed policies, programs, plans, processes, procedures, and practices
Description of Accident
In July 2022, a 15-year-old employee of a fencing company was fatally injured while working with a modified Caterpillar loader. The teenager was installing fencing when he became trapped beneath the heavy equipment. The loader had been altered to include a post-driving attachment — a non-standard modification that contributed to the unsafe conditions leading to the incident.
Inspection Results
An OSHA investigation concluded that the employer failed to take critical steps that could have prevented the fatality. Violations included:
- Modifying the loader without ensuring safe design or operation.
- Failing to train employees to recognize the hazards of operating or working near the modified equipment.
- Not providing hard hats, despite the risk of head injury from the equipment in use.
- Not supplying other essential personal protective equipment, such as gloves and safety glasses.
In addition, the employer did not report the fatality to OSHA within the required 8-hour window after learning of the incident.
OSHA proposed penalties totaling more than $20,000 for these violations.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-4. Which hazard category describes accidents due to horseplay, working too fast, or fatigue?
You forgot to answer the question!