SAFETY IN Biomedical
Engineering
Part 1: Biomedical Hazards Types
Dr./ Awadh Al-Kubati
WHAT IS A WORKPLACE
HAZARD?
• Workplace hazards are risks in a work environment
that can harmfully affect or injure employees if not
properly addressed. There are many types of
workplace hazards that can affect employees
physically, mentally and emotionally.
WORKPLACE HAZARD?
• One of the first steps to preventing hazards in the
workplace is understanding what hazards exist and
how a manager can successfully control or contain
them. Methods for helping your employees avoid
hazards may involve creating new workplace
policies or requiring that employees undergo safety
training.
What Is a Workplace Hazard?
• Workplace hazards are situations on the job that have
the potential to cause injury ranging from burns to back
pain to loss of life or limb. Workplace hazards stem
from a range of sources:
1. Substances: the carcinogenic chemical benzene, for
example
2. Materials: staphylococcus bacteria, for example
3. Conditions: poorly lit stairwells, for example
4. Behaviours: skipping steps in a procedure, for
example
5. Job duties: welding, for example, which can cause
an inhalation syndrome known as metal fume
fever.
TYPES OF HAZARDS
• Here are the six main types of workplace hazards:
1. Biological. Biological hazards include viruses, bacteria, insects, animals, etc.,
that can cause adverse health impacts. For example, mould, blood and other
bodily fluids, harmful plants, sewage, dust and vermin.
2. Chemical. Chemical hazards are hazardous substances that can cause harm.
These hazards can result in both health and physical impacts, such as skin
irritation, respiratory system irritation, blindness, corrosion and explosions.
3. Physical. Physical hazards are environmental factors that can harm an
employee without necessarily touching them, including heights, noise, radiation
and pressure.
4. Ergonomic. Ergonomic hazards are a result of physical factors that can result in
musculoskeletal injuries. For example, a poor workstation setup in an office,
poor posture and manual handling.
5. Psychosocial. Psychosocial hazards include those that can have an adverse
effect on an employee’s mental health or wellbeing. For example, sexual
harassment, victimisation, stress and workplace violence.
6. Safety. These are hazards that create unsafe working conditions. For example,
exposed wires or a damaged carpet might result in a tripping hazard. These are
sometimes included under the category of physical hazards.
Biological Hazards
• The definition of biological hazards, commonly
known as biohazards, can be any biological
substance that could cause harm to humans.
Biological hazards include exposure to harm or
disease from working with animals, people, or
infectious plant materials.
Biological Hazards
• Here are some potential biological hazards workers
can be exposed to:
1. Fungi
2. Mold
3. Blood and other bodily fluids
4. Plants
5. Viruses and bacteria
6. Bird and animal droppings
7. Insect bites
Chemical Hazards
• Chemical hazards are present when a worker is
exposed to any chemical preparation in the
workplace in any form (solid, liquid or gas). Some
are safer than others, but to some workers who are
more sensitive to chemicals, even common
solutions can cause illness, skin irritation, or
breathing problems.
• Workers experience chemical hazards when they
face exposure to a chemical preparation in the
workplace. This chemical may take the form of a
gas, liquid or solid.
Chemical Hazards
• Beware of the following chemical hazards:
1. Liquids like solvents, acids, paints and cleaning
products, especially if they are in unlabeled
containers
2. Vapors and fumes that come from exposure to
solvents or welding
3. Gases including helium, carbon
monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, propane and
acetylene
4. Flammable materials including explosive
chemicals, solvents and gasoline
5. Pesticides
Physical Hazards
• Of all the hazards in your workplace, physical
hazards might be the least obvious. Despite their
name, physical hazards aren’t always something
that you can see or touch. Physical hazards affect
workers in extreme weather conditions or harmful
working environments.
• Physical hazards can be any factors within the
environment that can harm the body without
necessarily touching it.
Physical Hazards
• Physical hazards include:
1. Radiation: including ionizing and non-
ionizing (EMF’s, microwaves, radio waves,
etc.) materials
2. High exposure to sunlight/ultraviolet rays
3. Gases under pressure
4. Temperature extremes – hot and cold
5. Constant loud noise
Ergonomic Hazards
• Ergonomic hazards happen when working
conditions, body positions and the type of work
being performed put a strain on the body.
• Ergonomic hazards can be difficult to identify since
the strain exerted on the body often takes time to
reveal itself.
• Workers may experience light symptoms like sore
muscles after experiencing harm from ergonomic
hazards. But over time, even these light ailments
can lead to severe long-term illnesses.
Ergonomic Hazards
• Here are some examples of ergonomic hazards:
1. Frequent lifting
2. Improperly adjusted chairs and workstations
3. Bad posture
4. Awkward movements
5. Repetition of a certain motor skill
6. Vibrations
7. Repeated use of force, potentially beyond one’s
comfort limits
Psychological Hazards
• Psychological hazards can cause harm like burnout or stress,
leading to distracted workers and potential mistakes. To
combat the causes of psychological harm, managers and
supervisors can implement a positive workplace culture that
values safety, equality and sustainable working practices.
• Examples of psychological hazards in the workplace include:
1. Lack of job training
2. Unrealistic production goals
3. Threats or intimation by management or coworkers
4. Poor safety culture
5. Required overtime hours
6. Unclear policies
Safety Hazards
• Safety hazards are number one on the list of 6 types of
workplace hazards. They refer to unsafe conditions
leading to illness, injury and even death.
• These hazards play an effect on employees who work
directly with machinery or on construction sites.
• Safety hazards are unsafe working conditions that can
cause injury, illness, and death. According to the
National Safety Council, in 2016, 34,673 people in
North America have died in falls at home and at work.
• Safety hazards are the most common workplace risks.
Safety Hazards
• They refer to unsafe conditions leading to illness, injury and
even death.
• Here are some common safety hazards:
1. Tripping and slipping hazards, including spilled liquid,
cords running across the floor and blocked aisles
2. Working from any raised work area, including roofs,
scaffolding and ladders
3. Moving machinery parts and unguarded
machinery that a worker can accidentally touch
4. Electrical hazards, including improper wiring, missing
ground pins and frayed cords
5. Confined spaces
6. Hazards related to machinery, including boiler safety
and the improper use of forklifts.
Tips for managing workplace
hazards
• Managing workplace hazards can be a challenging
task for both employees and managers. However,
some general guidelines can help when trying to
prevent workplace hazards and when trying to
properly manage any workplace issues on a larger
scale.
• Here are some steps you can take regarding your
company's policy on workplace hazards:
Tips for managing workplace
hazards
1. Policy updating: It's important to ensure your work policies,
safety guidelines and work instructions are updated and include
the most relevant information possible.
2. Policy availability: Work instructions, work policies and safety
guidelines are most beneficial when they are accessible to all
employees. Ensuring that your office has both digital and
physical copies may help to prevent workplace issues.
3. Policy enforcement: To ensure the effectiveness of policies in
the workplace, consider regularly reviewing policies and those
who enforce them to verify their success.
4. Policy awareness: Regular mandatory training can help remind
employees of important policies that help ensure their safety.
Rewarding employees with a half-day of work to review these
policies and undergo training could also boost employee morale.
The End
Any Questions
