What is an occupational hazard and how can I protect myself?
An occupational hazard is an on-the-job risk that could have a negative effect on your health. The risk could be to your physical or mental health. These could include injury, illness, disability (short-term or long-term) or death.
Below are the different types of occupational hazards:
- Physical: heat, cold, light, noise, vibration or radiation
- Biological: viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, sewage, bodily fluids or animal products
- Chemical: dust, gas or liquid forms of chemicals including solvents, pesticides, and heavy metals
- Mechanical: machines with moving parts, rotating blades, narrow or small work sites
- Psychosocial: trouble adapting to changing or challenging work environments (this can lead to fatigue, frustration, or emotional tension and burnout.
To learn more about Occupational Health and Safety in Alberta click here. You will find links to regulation and codes, education and training, following standards and more.
To help protect yourself:
- keep your safety training up–to–date
- do all the training that’s offered to you
- use appropriate protective gear (including goggles, protective suits, or gloves)
- keep your immunizations up-to-date
- follow rules about hand washing or cleaning up at work
- read all health and safety updates your employer gives you
- follow the guidelines from your employer, professional organization, union or health and safety personnel
A Guide for Occupational Health and Safety for workers can be found here. The guidebook outlines what workers need to know to follow Occupational Health and Safety laws in Alberta.
If you’re concerned about a workplace hazard, talk with your employer or occupational health and safety personnel.
Talk with your health care provider if you’re exposed to a hazard in the workplace that might affect your reproductive health.
To report a workplace incident, accident or concern, call the Occupational Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-866-415-8690.
You can also contact the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission confidential inquiry lines:
- Edmonton: 780-427-7661
- Calgary: 403-297-6571
- Toll-free in Alberta outside Edmonton and Calgary: first call 310-0000, then call the number for the location closest to you.
