The hazard mapping session
- Step 1 Provide a map or drawing for each department or building where hazard mapping will take place.
- Step 2 introduction to hazard mapping MSDs by the facilitator (15 minutes)
- Step 3 Mark hazard areas (20 minutes)
- Step 4 discussing the outcomes (15 minutes)
A hazard map is a map that highlights areas that are affected by or are vulnerable to a particular hazard. They are typically created for natural hazards, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, flooding and tsunamis. Hazard maps help prevent serious damage and deaths.
Landslide hazard zonation mapping at regional level of a large area provides a broad trend of landslide potential zones. The hazard zonation map produced by using this technique classifies the area into relative hazard classes in which the high hazard zones well correspond with high frequency of landslides.
A multiple hazard zone is a location where two or more geophysical and hydrometeorological hazards can occur at any point.
Volcanic hazard maps are visual, geospatial depictions of the areas that could be impacted by various volcanic phenomena during or subsequent to an eruption. They are developed to communicate a complex array of hazard information to those at risk, or those responsible for managing those at risk.
1.3 Who are the key players, authority, body/entity, responsible for the development and updating of hazard maps? Institutions that take part in prevention of accidents and in emergency management are responsible for the development and updating hazard maps.
One measure of the strength of a community's response and recovery system is its attentiveness to its most vulnerable citizens–children, the frail elderly, the disabled, and the impoverished and disenfranchised. It is a cruel fact: disasters discriminate.
Types of Hazard
| Hazard | Example |
|---|
| Psychological hazards | Heights Loud sounds Tunnels Bright lights |
| Environmental hazards | Room temperature Ventilation Contaminated air Photocopiers Some office plants Acids |
| Hazardous substances | Alkalis Solvents |
| Biological hazards | Hepatitis B New strain influenza |
To be sure that all hazards are found:
- Look at all aspects of the work and include non-routine activities such as maintenance, repair, or cleaning.
- Look at the physical work environment, equipment, materials, products, etc.
- Include how the tasks are done.
- Look at injury and incident records.
A hazard, as defined by the TUC, 'is something that can cause harm', and a risk 'is the chance, high or low, that any hazard will actually cause somebody harm'. A risk would be a danger that these situations may pose; for example, physical injury, chemical burns, RSI or increased stress levels.
Mental health problems rank among the most widespread long-term effects of natural disasters. The loss of loved ones, homes, and livelihoods can alter the lives of multiple individuals. Grief and shock are normal in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster.
The Top 10 Workplace Hazards and How to Prevent Them
- Slips, trips, and falls. Falls from tripping over who-knows-what (uneven floor surfaces, wet floors, loose cables, etc.)
- Electrical.
- Fire.
- Working in confined spaces.
- Chemical hazards.
- Biological hazards.
- Asbestos.
- Noise.
In a disaster, you face the danger of death or physical injury. You may also lose your home, possessions, and community. Such stressors place you at risk for emotional and physical health problems. Stress reactions after a disaster look very much like the common reactions seen after any type of trauma.
In order to control workplace hazards and eliminate or reduce the risk, you should take the following steps:
- identify the hazard by carrying out a workplace risk assessment;
- determine how employees might be at risk;
- evaluate the risks;
- record and review hazards at least annually, or earlier if something changes.
Although humans can sometimes influence natural disasters (for example when poor levee design results in a flood), other disasters that are directly generated by humans, such as oil and toxic material spills, pollution, massive automobile or train wrecks, airplane crashes, and human induced explosions, are considered
OSHA's 5 Workplace Hazards
- Safety. Safety hazards encompass any type of substance, condition or object that can injure workers.
- Chemical. Workers can be exposed to chemicals in liquids, gases, vapors, fumes and particulate materials.
- Biological.
- Physical.
- Ergonomic.
In most cases, each hazard will have different impacts, since they interact with different receptors. The three main receptors are people, environment, and property. A certain hazard such as chemical will have different impact on each of these receptors.
Awareness, education, preparedness, and prediction and warning systems can reduce the disruptive impacts of a natural disaster on communities. Mitigation measures such as adoption of zoning, land-use practices, and building codes are needed, however, to prevent or reduce actual damage from hazards.
Climatic hazards are agents of disaster in terms of what they may do to human settlements or to the environment. Potentially hazardous atmospheric phenomena include tropical cyclones, thunderstorms, tornadoes, drought, rain, hail, snow, lightning, fog, wind, temperature extremes, air pollution, and climatic change.
When we refer to hazards in relation to occupational safety and health the most commonly used definition is 'A Hazard is a potential source of harm or adverse health effect on a person or persons'. The terms Hazard and Risk are often used interchangeably but this simple example explains the difference between the two.
What kind of information is shown on a seismic hazard map? strengthening existing buildings and structures.
When done correctly, the assessment helps decision makers and stakeholders understand the most locally significant hazards and unique risks, including current and possible future vulnerabilities. Just as important, the risk assessment supports the development of mitigation measures to reduce future risk.
Earthquake Hazards
- Ground Shaking. If an earthquake generates a large enough shaking intensity, structures like buildings, bridges and dams can be severley damaged, and cliffs and sloping ground destabilised.
- Tsunami.
- Landslides and Rockfalls.
- Subsidence and Lateral Spreading.
- Liquefaction.
The type of hazard shown in the map is earthquakes.
5 Core Elements of Successful Safety Programs
- SAFETY CULTURE.
- EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND EMPOWERMENT.
- HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL SYSTEMS.
- FOCUS ON COMPLIANCE.
- CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT.
- LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL BUY-IN.
- THE SAFETY MANAGER ROLE.
- What is a safety manager's job role?
Hazard group – While not given a formal definition, GHS divides hazards into three major groups – health, physical and environmental. Class – Class is the term used to describe the different types of hazards. For example, Gases under Pressure is an example of a class in the physical hazards group.
Physical hazards include exposure to slips, trips, falls, electricity, noise, vibration, radiation, heat, cold and fire. The following table summarizes the sources of physical hazard exposure and their health effects.
Some practical steps you could take include:
- trying a less risky option.
- preventing access to the hazards.
- organising your work to reduce exposure to the hazard.
- issuing protective equipment.
- providing welfare facilities such as first-aid and washing facilities.
- involving and consulting with workers.
With all the safety hazards posed by electrical equipment, proper training is imperative to the well-being of employees.
- Turn the power off.
- Inform others.
- Lockout/tagout (LOTO).
- Stay away from wires.
- Maintain equipment.
- Wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Avoid arc flash areas.
What is a hazard category? Each hazard class contains at least one category. The hazard categories are assigned a number (e.g., 1, 2, etc.) Categories may also be called "types". Types are assigned an alphabetical letter (e.g., A, B, etc.).
On average, agriculture absorbs 22 percent of the total economic impact caused by natural hazards. For climate-related disasters such as floods, droughts and tropical storms, 25 percent of all damage and losses is on the agriculture sector.
