Hazard Identification and Anticipation
Hazard Identification and Anticipation
This domain tests whether you can find and predict workplace hazards before they become exposures or injuries. Expect questions on hazard categories, exposure routes, systematic identification methods, and design-stage anticipation rather than incident response.
Core concepts
- A hazard is a source of potential harm; risk adds likelihood and severity. Identification must cover chemical, physical, biological, ergonomic, safety, and psychosocial hazards.
- Exposure routes include inhalation, skin/dermal contact, ingestion, injection, and eye contact. For chemicals, check the SDS, process temperature, physical form, and byproducts.
- Anticipation means designing out hazards before construction or purchase: NIOSH Prevention through Design, ANSI/ASSP Z590.3, process substitution, enclosed transfer, local exhaust, and maintenance access.
- Identification tools include job hazard analysis (JHA), process maps, walkthroughs, checklists, worker interviews, incident and near-miss records, exposure monitoring, SDS review, and what-if/HAZOP for complex processes.
- Include non-routine work: maintenance, cleaning, startup/shutdown, confined-space entry, and emergency response.
Worked example
A parts-washing station uses open trays of solvent. A checklist alone lists chemical and stops. A stronger analysis notes that the solvent is flammable and volatile and that workers immerse hands and lean over the trays. Hazards are inhalation, dermal contact, and flash fire. Anticipation: specify a closed washer with local exhaust, drain and lid, compatible gloves, bonding/grounding, and a written procedure. Verify before use.
Traps
- Treating a completed checklist as proof that no hazard exists.
- Missing maintenance and cleaning tasks, which often carry the highest exposure.
- Substituting product labels and SDS for actual exposure assessment.
- Recording an injury cause as carelessness instead of identifying the control failure.