Occupational hazard#Vibration hazards

{{Main article|Chemical hazard}}Chemical hazards are a subtype of occupational hazards that involve a wide variety of chemicals. Exposure to chemicals in the workplace can cause acute or long-term detrimental health effects. There are many classifications of hazardous chemicals, including neurotoxins, immune agents, dermatologic agents, carcinogens, reproductive toxins, systemic toxins, asthmagens, pneumoconiotic agents, and sensitizers.{{Cite web|title = CDC - Chemical Safety - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic|url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/chemical-safety/|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-09-03}}

NIOSH sets recommended exposure limits (REL) as well as recommends preventative measures on specific chemicals in order to reduce or eliminate negative health effects from exposure to those chemicals.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-149/pdfs/2005-149.pdf|title=NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards|date=September 2007|website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|access-date=June 29, 2016}} Additionally, NIOSH keeps an index of chemical hazards based on their chemical name,{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgsyn-a.html|title=Index of Chemical Names, Synonyms and Trade Names|website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|access-date=June 29, 2016}} Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CAS No.),{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgdcas.html|title=Index of Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers (CAS No.)|website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|access-date=June 29, 2016}} and RTECS Number.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgdrtec.html|title=Index of RTECS Numbers|website=Centers for Disease Control and Preveniton|access-date=June 29, 2016}} Furthermore, OSHA has set permissible exposure limits{{Cite web |title=Permissible Exposure Limits – OSHA Annotated Table Z-1 {{!}} Occupational Safety and Health Administration |url=https://www.osha.gov/annotated-pels/table-z-1 |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=www.osha.gov}} (PEL) on around 500 chemicals which are enforceable by law.

These exposure limits include evidence that a certain amount of a chemical exposure is linked to one or more adverse health effects. For instance, heart disease{{Cite web|url=http://www.sbu.se/en/publications/sbu-assesses/occupational-health-and-safety--chemical-exposure/|title=Occupational health and safety – chemical exposure|publisher=Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services (SBU)|website=www.sbu.se|language=en|access-date=2017-06-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606093333/http://www.sbu.se/en/publications/sbu-assesses/occupational-health-and-safety--chemical-exposure/|archive-date=2017-06-06|url-status=dead}} is more prevalent in workers who are exposed to the chemicals found in engine exhausts. Exposure to carbon tetrachloride has shown to cause liver and kidney damage.{{Cite web |date=2020-02-25 |title=1988 OSHA PEL Project - Carbon Tetrachloride {{!}} NIOSH {{!}} CDC |url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pel88/56-23.html |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=www.cdc.gov |language=en-us}} Exposure to benzene has been linked to leukemia.{{Cite web |date=2019-05-15 |title=CDC {{!}} Facts About Benzene |url=https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/benzene/basics/facts.asp#:~:text=The%20Department%20of%20Health%20and,of%20the%20blood-forming%20organs. |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=emergency.cdc.gov |language=en-us}}

{{Main article|Biological hazard}}Biological agents, which create biological hazards, include bacteria, fungi, viruses, microorganisms, and toxins.{{Cite web |title=Biological Agents - Overview {{!}} Occupational Safety and Health Administration |url=https://www.osha.gov/biological-agents#:~:text=Biological%20agents%20include%20bacteria,%20viruses,serious%20medical%20conditions%E2%80%94even%20death. |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=www.osha.gov}} These biological agents can cause adverse health effects in workers. Influenza is an example of a biological hazard which affects a broad population of workers.{{Cite web|title = CDC - Seasonal Influenza (Flu) in the Workplace - Guidance - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic|url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/flu/guidance.html|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-09-03}}

Exposure to toxins generated by insects, spiders, snakes, scorpions,{{Cite web|title = CDC - Insects and Scorpions - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic|url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/insects/|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-09-03}}{{Cite web|title = CDC - Venomous Snakes - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic|url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/snakes/|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-09-03}}{{Cite web|title = CDC - Venomous Spiders - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic|url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/spiders/|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-09-03}} etc., require physical contact be made between the worker and the living organism. Skin exposure to biological agents can cause contact dermatitis (caused by exposure to urushiol from poisonous Toxicodendron plants{{Cite web|title = CDC - Poisonous Plants - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic|url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/plants/|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-09-03}}), Lyme disease,{{Cite web|title = CDC - Lyme Disease - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic|url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/lyme/|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-09-03}} West Nile virus,{{Cite web|title = CDC - West Nile Virus - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic|url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/westnile/|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-09-03}} and coccidioidomycosis (caused by exposure to fungi).{{Cite web|title = CDC - Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) - Jobs at Risk - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic|url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/valleyfever/risk.html|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-09-03}} According to NIOSH, outdoor workers at risk for these hazards "include farmers, foresters, landscapers, groundskeepers, gardeners, painters, roofers, pavers, construction workers, laborers, mechanics, and any other workers who spend time outside."

Health care professionals are at risk to exposure to blood-borne illnesses (such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C){{Cite web|title = CDC - Bloodborne Infectious Diseases - HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B Virus, and Hepatitis C Virus - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic|url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/bbp/|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-09-03}} and particularly to emerging infectious diseases, especially when not enough resources are available to control the spread of the disease.{{Cite web|title = CDC - Emerging Infectious Diseases - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic|url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/emerginfectdiseases/default.html|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-09-03}} Veterinary health workers, including veterinarians, are at risk for exposure to zoonotic disease.{{Cite web|title = CDC - Veterinary Health Care: Biological Safety - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic|url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/veterinary/biological.html|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-09-03}} Those who do clinical work in the field or in a laboratory risk exposure to West Nile virus if performing necropsies on birds affected by the virus or are otherwise working with infected tissue.

Other occupations at risk to biological hazard exposure include poultry workers, who are exposed to bacteria;{{Cite web|title = CDC - Poultry Industry Workers - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic|url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/poultry/|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-09-03}} and tattooists and piercers, who risk exposure to blood-borne pathogens.{{Cite web|title = CDC - Body Art - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic|url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/body_art/|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-09-03}}

{{main article|Psychosocial hazard}}

Psychosocial hazards are occupational hazards that affect someone's social life or psychological health.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-10 |title=Psychosocial risks and stress at work {{!}} International Labour Organization |url=https://www.ilo.org/resource/psychosocial-risks-and-stress-work |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=www.ilo.org |language=en}} Psychosocial hazards in the workplace include occupational burnout and occupational stress, which can lead to burnout.{{Cite web|title = CDC - Stress at Work - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic|url = https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/stress/|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-09-03}}

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of occupational burnout include a cynical attitude towards work, severe lack of motivation at work, erratic sleeping habits, and disillusionment about one's occupation.{{Cite web |title=Know the signs of job burnout |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642 |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Mayo Clinic |language=en}}

File:Industry during the First World War Q28240.jpg insulation for the boilers of navy vessels in 1918, before asbestos was widely recognized as hazardous. Many miners and factory workers suffered early deaths from asbestos-related diseases. The first industry regulations did not come into effect until 1932.]]

{{Main article|Physical hazard}}

Physical hazards are a subtype of occupational hazards that involve environmental hazards that can cause harm with or without contact. Physical hazards include ergonomic hazards, radiation, heat and cold stress, vibration hazards, and noise hazards.{{Cite web|title=Susan Harwood Grant Products By Topic |url=https://www.osha.gov/dte/grant_materials/material_listing_topic.html |website=OSHA.gov|access-date=2015-09-03}}

Heat and cold stress occur when the temperature is significantly different from room temperature (68–74 degrees Fahrenheit).{{Cite web |title=Heat & Cold Stress |url=https://ehs.princeton.edu/book/export/html/63 |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=ehs.princeton.edu}} When the body is exposed to heat stress, excess sweating can lead to a range of heat-related illnesses.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-13 |title=Heat Stress Related Illness |work=National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health |publisher=CDC |url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatrelillness.html |access-date=2022-03-28 |language=en-us}} Excessive cold can lead to several cold-related illnesses such as hypothermia, frostbite, etc.{{Cite web |date=2020-02-21 |title=Cold Related Illnesses |work=National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health |publisher=CDC |url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/coldstress/coldrelatedillnesses.html |access-date=2022-03-28 |language=en-us}}

Occupational vibration hazards most often occur when a worker is operating machinery that vibrates as a symptom of its functioning (e.g., chainsaws, power drills, etc.). The most common type of vibration syndrome is Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). Long-term exposure to HAVS can lead to damage occurring in the blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and joints of the hand, wrist, and arm.{{Cite web |title=Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) |work=University of Strathclyde |url=https://www.strath.ac.uk/wellbeing/occupationalhealth/healthsurveillance/handarmvibrationsyndromehavs/ |access-date=2022-03-28 }}

Each year in the US, twenty-two million workers are exposed to noise levels that could potentially harm their health.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/stats.html|title=Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention: Facts and Statistics |work=National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health |publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |access-date=2016-06-24}} Occupational hearing loss is the most common occupational illness in the manufacturing sector.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-136/|title=Occupationally-Induced Hearing Loss|date=March 2010|website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|access-date=2016-06-24}} Workers in exceptionally high noise environments, such as musicians,{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2015/07/07/musicians-hearing-loss/|title=Turn it Down: Reducing the Risk of Hearing Disorders Among Musicians|last=Kardous|first=Chuck|last2=Morata|first2=Thais|date=July 7, 2015|website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|access-date=June 24, 2016|last3=Themann|first3=Christa|last4=Spears|first4=Patricia|last5=Afanuh|first5=Sue}} mine workers,{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/topics/HearingLossPreventionOverview.html|title=Mining Topic: Hearing Loss Prevention Overview |work=National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health |publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |access-date=2016-06-24}} and even those involved with stock car racing,{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2010/08/16/racecars/|title=High Speeds, Higher Decibels|last=Kardous|first=Chucri|last2=Morata|first2=Thais|date=August 16, 2010|website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|access-date=June 24, 2016}} are at a much higher risk of developing hearing loss, when compared to other workers (e.g., factory workers, etc.).

While permanent noise-induced hearing loss is often preventable through proper hearing protection, limiting the amount of time one is exposed to high levels of noise is still required.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-175/pdfs/2007-175.pdf|title=They're Your Ears: Protect Them|date=October 2007 |work=National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health |publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |access-date=June 24, 2016}} As such a widespread issue, NIOSH has been committed to preventing future hearing loss for workers by establishing recommended exposure limits (RELs) of 85 dB(A) for an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2016/02/08/noise/|title=Understanding Noise Exposure Limits: Occupational vs. General Environmental Noise|last=Kardous|first=Chuck|last2=Themann|first2=Christa|date=February 8, 2016|website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|access-date=June 24, 2016|last3=Morata|first3=Thais|last4=Lotz|first4=Gregory}} The Buy Quiet program was developed by NIOSH to encourage employers to reduce workplace noise levels by purchasing quieter models of tools and machinery.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/buyquiet/|title=Buy Quiet|website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|access-date=2016-06-24}}{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2011/11/04/buy-quiet/|title=Buy Quiet|last=Hudson|first=Heidi|last2=Hayden|first2=Chuck|date=November 4, 2011 |work=National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health |publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |access-date=June 24, 2016}} Additionally, a partnership with the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) has resulted in the creation of the Safe-in-Sound Award to recognize excellence and innovation in the field of hearing loss prevention.{{Cite web|url=http://www.safeinsound.us/|title=Safe-in-Sound: Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Award|website=Safe-in-Sound|access-date=June 24, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2011/01/25/music/|title=These Go to Eleven|last=Morata|first=Thais|last2=Johnson|first2=Ryan|date=January 11, 2011|website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|access-date=June 24, 2016}}

Furthermore, OSHA's development and implementation of the Hearing Conservation Program (HCP){{Cite web |title=Occupational Noise Exposure - Hearing Conservation Program |work=Occupational Safety and Health Administration |url=https://www.osha.gov/noise/hearing-programs |access-date=2022-04-14 }} has required employers to more effectively protect their workers against noise levels that are too high. The HCP empowers workers to not only receive noise exposure testing, as well as audiometric testing, but also to have access to noise protection devices adequate for the noise levels they are being exposed to.{{Citation |last=Moroe |first=Nomfundo F. |title=Early detection and management of occupational and environmental noise |date=2022 |work=Preventive Audiology: An African perspective |editor-last=Khoza-Shangase |editor-first=Katijah |url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK601304/ |access-date=2024-03-12 |place=Cape Town |publisher=AOSIS |isbn=978-1-77634-245-7 |pmid=38446955}}{{Cite web |date=2024-01-22 |title=Hearing Conservation Program |url=https://research.arizona.edu/compliance/RLSS/hearing-conservation-program |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=UArizona Research, Innovation & Impact |language=en}}

• Health hazards in semiconductor manufacturing occupations
• Health and safety hazards of nanomaterials
• Health and safety hazards of 3D printing
• Hazards of synthetic biology
• Precarious work
• Occupational hazards in dentistry
• Occupational hazards of fire debris cleanup
• Occupational hazards of grain facilities
• Occupational hazards of human nail dust
• Occupational hazards of solar panel installation

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{{Occupational safety and health}}

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