Criteria for Evaluation of Safety Hazards

Hazards are anything that pose, or have the potential to pose, health or safety threats to humans. In the workplace, employers are required by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration to make sure hazards are eliminated from the work environment.

Identification

• Employers must be able to identify workplace safety hazards, even the inconspicuous ones. Hazard identification is the preamble to hazard evaluation. In order for something to qualify as a hazard, it must present some type of health or safety threat to employees or to the building's structure.

Severity

• After a hazard is identified, it must be evaluated for severity. A highly dangerous hazard is one that could potentially be life-threatening or cause a permanent injury or chronic illness. Less severe hazards present the potential for injuries to occur, but their repercussions are temporary and easily overcome.

Categories

• Some companies create various categories for evaluating hazards, assigning each hazard to a particular level. According to the University of Virginia, a Level Three hazard may be a natural disaster, while a Level One hazard might refer to minor incidents. Categorizing hazards is an effective way for companies to devise a response plan to the hazard.