There are two types of hazards: physical hazards and health hazards. Physical hazards will result in immediate injury to the body. The effects of health hazards may be felt within moments or over a prolonged period from initial exposure and are primarily concerned with illness or disease.

There are four ways hazardous materials can enter the body:

  • Ingestion: Inadvertently swallowing hazardous materials.
  • Absorption: Occurs when hazardous material enters the body through the skin or an open wound.
  • Inhalation: Breathing in hazardous fumes.
  • Injection: Occurs when a needle containing hazardous material pierces the skin.

--
Published: October 13, 2021
Last Modified: January 24, 2022