| Definition | Refer to substances, conditions, or situations in the workplace that can cause harm or adverse health effects over time, often through prolonged exposure. | Refer to immediate and direct threats in the workplace that can cause accidents, injuries, or harm to employees, typically through sudden events. |
| Nature of Harm | Can result in long-term health problems, chronic illnesses, or diseases, such as respiratory issues, cancers, hearing loss, or skin conditions. | Cause immediate physical harm, injuries, or accidents, including slips, falls, burns, cuts, electrical shocks, or collisions. |
| Exposure Duration | Often associated with prolonged or cumulative exposure, where harm may not be immediately evident but occurs over time. | Occur due to acute, short-term exposure or specific incidents that happen suddenly or unexpectedly. |
| Examples | Examples include exposure to hazardous chemicals, carcinogens, asbestos, noise pollution, and ergonomic hazards leading to musculoskeletal disorders. | Examples include falls from heights, machinery accidents, electrical malfunctions, fires, chemical spills, and confined space accidents. |
| Prevention and Control | Focus on measures like personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilation, safety training, monitoring exposure levels, and implementing safe work practices. | Require measures such as safety barriers, warning signs, machine guarding, emergency response plans, and employee training on safety procedures. |
| Timing of Effects | Health hazards often have delayed or gradual effects, with illnesses or symptoms manifesting over time due to prolonged exposure. | Safety hazards have immediate or near-immediate effects, leading to accidents, injuries, or harm that is evident shortly after exposure. |
| Regulatory Framework | Governed by health and safety regulations and standards that set exposure limits, monitoring requirements, and guidelines for prevention and protection. | Regulated by safety standards and guidelines that address specific safety hazards, often emphasizing accident prevention and response. |
| Worker Awareness | May not always be immediately apparent to workers, as the harm may not manifest until later, requiring awareness of long-term risks and preventive measures. | Typically, workers can readily identify safety hazards in their immediate environment and take immediate precautions to avoid harm. |
| Consequences | The consequences of health hazards often involve chronic illnesses, long-term disability, reduced quality of life, and healthcare costs. | Consequences of safety hazards may include immediate injuries, trauma, disability, or, in extreme cases, fatalities |
