• Health hazards that may be identified might be chemical, physical, biological, or ergonomic.
• In some cases, identifying such hazards may require specialized knowledge; small businesses can often obtain this help for free through OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program.

Identifying health hazards is typically more complex than identifying physical safety hazards. For example, gases and vapors may be invisible, often have no odor, and may not have an immediately noticeable harmful health effect.

Health hazards include chemical hazards (solvents, adhesives, paints, toxic dusts, etc.); physical hazards (noise, radiation, heat, etc.); biological hazards (infectious diseases); and ergonomic risk factors (heavy lifting, repetitive motions, vibration).

Reviewing workers’ medical records (appropriately redacted to ensure patient/worker privacy) can be useful in identifying health hazards associated with workplace exposures. Employers should:

• Identify chemical hazards — Review Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and product labels to identify chemicals in the workplace that have low exposure limits, are highly volatile, or are used in large quantities or in unventilated spaces. Identify activities that may result in skin exposure to chemicals.
• Identify physical hazards — Identify any exposures to excessive noise (areas where workers must raise their voices to be heard by others), elevated heat (indoor and outdoor), or sources of radiation (radioactive materials, X-rays, or radiofrequency radiation).
• Identify biological hazards — Determine whether workers may be exposed to sources of infectious diseases, molds, toxic or poisonous plants, or animal materials (fur or scat) capable of causing allergic reactions or occupational asthma.
• Identify ergonomic risk factors — Examine work activities that require heavy lifting, work above shoulder height, repetitive motions, or tasks with significant vibration.
• Conduct quantitative exposure assessments — When possible, using air sampling or direct reading instruments.
• Review medical records — To identify cases of musculoskeletal injuries, skin irritation or dermatitis, hearing loss, or lung disease that may be related to workplace exposures.

Identifying and assessing health hazards may require specialized knowledge. Small businesses can obtain free and confidential occupational safety and health advice services, including help identifying and assessing workplace hazards, through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s On-Site Consultation Program.