Any phenomenon (natural, human-made / technological or social conflict) has the potential to pose a threat to the population and the environment.
What Is A Hazard?
Hazard is an intrinsic factor attached to something (can be on an item or an activity or condition), such as pesticides that exist in vegetables or heat coming out of the aircraft engine. This danger will remain a danger without causing impacts / consequences or develop into accident if there is no exposure to humans. For example, the heat coming out of the plane’s engine won’t cause an accident if we don’t touch it.
This process of contact between danger and humans can occur through three mechanisms, namely:
- A human approaching danger.
- The danger that comes to human through natural processes.
- Humans and danger approach each other.
Potential hazards are always present in the work we do, therefore we need to recognize the dangers that arise and reduce the risk as little as possible from those hazards.
We can identify the hazard that arises and reduce the risk in several ways, among others by making JSA (Job Safety Analysis) and Hazob (Hazard Observation), We can also use Observation Card or STOP card if we see a work is underway.
What Is A Hazard Group?
Hazard is grouped into 5, based on potential hazards. that is:
Biological Hazard
Biological hazards are potential hazards posed by living factors. Usually this biological hazard is found in environments that are not clean, dirty, etc.
An example of biological hazard is like a hook worm. Hookworms can make holes in our feet, just like those worms eat. Therefore, mining is expected to always use PPE safety shoes as a prevention against biological hazards.
Included in the biological hazard among others:
Chemical Hazard
Chemical hazard is a potential hazard caused by the chemical properties and characteristics that the material has. This chemical hazard is very dangerous if we do not know in detail what the properties of the material are. The intensive handling of these potential hazards is required.
An example of a chemical hazard is ammonia mixed in the air due to its harmful nature to the ENT in humans. An MSDS is one way of early handling of the potential hazards posed by chemicals.
Included in the chemical hazard among others:
- Hazardous Materials / Materials / Liquids / Gases / Dusts / Vapors.
- Toxic.
- Reactive.
- Radioactive.
- Explosive.
- Flammable.
- Irritant.
- Corrosive.
Physical Hazard
Physical hazard is a potential hazard caused by the physical factor of a person doing the job. Hazard is physically closely related to humans. We ourselves are sometimes the source of problems that occur. Managing activities is one way to control this emerging hazard.
Included in the physical hazard among others:
- Height.
- Construction (Infrastructure).
- Machinery / Tools / Vehicles / Heavy Equipment.
- Confined Space.
- Pressure.
- Noise.
- Temperature.
- Light.
- Electricity.
- Vibration.
- Radiation.
Ergonomics Hazard
Ergonomics Hazard is a potential hazard caused by the inefficiency of the working tool’s relationship with humans, usually related to human work behavior with the tool. This is what causes also the emergence of occupational diseases due to errors in the behavior of the use of its work tools.
Psychology Hazard
Psychology Hazard is the potential danger caused by the occurrence of a a conflict in the work environment. The conflict has been divided into direct and indirect.
Psychology is also important because it can also affect how the person works.
The more conflicts, the more inefficient the work is done and the more problems that occur. Its control usually uses conflict management and disciplinary measures.
Included in the psychology hazard among others:
- Stress.
- Violence.
- Abuse.
- Exclusion.
- Intimidation.
- Negative Emotions.
Benefit of hazard identification
- Know the hazard.
- Know the potential hazard, both the consequences and frequency of occurrence
- Know the location of hazard.
- Indicates that certain hazards have been given protection
- Shows that certain hazards will not cause accidents, so there is no need to be given protection
- Further analysis
