Job Hazard Analysis
Common Hazards and Descriptions
Hazards Hazard Descriptions
Caught In or Between Caught within or in between different objects, including:
• Trench/excavation collapse
• Rotating equipment
• Unguarded parts
• Equipment rollovers
• Equipment maintenance
Chemical (Toxic) A chemical that exposes a person by absorption through the
skin, inhalation, or through the bloodstream that causes illness,
disease, or death. The amount of chemical exposure is critical in
determining hazardous effects. Check Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
and/or OSHA 1910.1000 for chemical hazard information.
Chemical (Flammable) A chemical that, when exposed to a heat ignition source, results
in combustion. Typically, the lower a chemical's flash point and
boiling point, the more flammable the chemical. Check SDS for
flammability information.
Chemical (Corrosive) A chemical that, when it comes into contact with skin, metal, or
other materials, damages the materials. Acids and bases are
examples of corrosives.
Explosion (Chemical Reaction) Self explanatory.
Explosion (Over Pressurization) Sudden and violent release of a large amount of gas/energy due
to a significant pressure difference such as rupture in a boiler or
compressed gas cylinder.
Electrical (Shock/Short Circuit) Contact with exposed conductors or a device that is incorrectly
or inadvertently grounded, such as when a metal ladder comes
into contact with power lines. 60Hz alternating current
(common house current) is very dangerous because it can stop
the heart.
Electrical (Fire) Use of electrical power that results in electrical overheating or
arcing to the point of combustion or ignition of flammables, or
electrical component damage.
Electrical (Static/ESD) The moving or rubbing of wool, nylon, other synthetic fibers,
and even flowing liquids can generate static electricity. This
creates an excess or deficiency of electrons on the surface of
material that discharges (spark) to the ground resulting in the
ignition of flammables or damage to electronics or the body's
nervous system.
Electrical (Loss of Power) Safety-critical equipment failure as a result of loss of power.
Ergonomics (Strain) Damage of tissue due to over exertion (strains and sprains) or
repetitive motion.
Job Hazard Analysis, Appendix 2 [edited] OSHA 3071 2002 (Revised)
Hazards Hazard Descriptions
Ergonomics (Human Error) A system design, procedure, or equipment that is error-
provocative. (A switch goes up to turn something off).
Excavation (Collapse) Soil collapse in a trench or excavation as a result of improper or
inadequate shoring. Soil type is critical in determining the hazard
likelihood.
Fall (Slip, Trip) Conditions that result in falls (impacts) from height or traditional
walking surfaces (such as slippery floors, poor housekeeping,
uneven walking surfaces, exposed ledges, etc.).
Fire/Heat Temperatures that can cause burns to the skin or damage to
other organs. Fires require a heat source, fuel, and oxygen.
Mechanical/Vibration Vibration that can cause damage to nerve endings, or material
(Chaffing/Fatigue) fatigue that results in a safety-critical failure. (Examples are
abraded slings and ropes, weakened hoses and belts.)
Mechanical Failure Self explanatory; typically occurs when devices exceed designed
capacity or are inadequately maintained.
Mechanical Skin, muscle, or body part exposed to crushing, caught-between,
cutting, tearing, shearing items or equipment.
Noise Noise levels (>85 dBA 8 hr. TWA) that result in hearing damage
or inability to communicate safety-critical information.
Radiation (Ionizing) Alpha, Beta, Gamma, neutral particles, and X-rays that cause
injury (tissue damage) by ionization of cellular components.
Radiation (Non-Ionizing) Ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, and microwaves that cause
injury to tissue by thermal or photochemical means.
Struck By (Mass Acceleration) Accelerated mass that strikes the body causing injury or death.
(Examples are falling objects and projectiles.)
Struck Against Injury to a body part as a result of coming into contact of a
surface in which action was initiated by the person. (An example
is when a screwdriver slips.)
Temperature Extreme (Heat/Cold) Temperatures that result in heat stress, exhaustion, or
metabolic slow down such as hypothermia.
Visibility Lack of lighting or obstructed vision that results in an error or
other hazard.
Weather Phenomena Self explanatory.
(Snow/Rain/Wind/Ice)
Job Hazard Analysis, Appendix 2 [edited] OSHA 3071 2002 (Revised)
