Occupational hazard

<p>An occupational hazard is a <a href="/facts/Hazard/09kGfaao">hazard</a> experienced in the workplace. This encompasses many types of hazards, including <a href="/facts/Chemical_hazard/9dBLejnB">chemical hazards</a>, <a href="/facts/Biological_hazards/14ajJM9M">biological hazards</a> (biohazards), <a href="/facts/Psychosocial_hazards/cx6b084w">psychosocial hazards</a>, and <a href="/facts/Physical_hazards/LBHgkRgf">physical hazards</a>. In the United States, the <a href="/facts/National_Institute_for_Occupational_Safety_and_Health/5WjdDNMN">National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health</a> (NIOSH) conduct workplace investigations and research addressing workplace health and safety hazards resulting in guidelines. The <a href="/facts/Occupational_Safety_and_Health_Administration/dCGbW5Ax">Occupational Safety and Health Administration</a> (OSHA) establishes enforceable standards to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. In the EU, a similar role is taken by <a href="/facts/EU-OSHA/1gTcqPaj">EU-OSHA</a>.
</p><p>Occupational hazard, as a term, signifies both long-term and short-term risks associated with the workplace environment. It is a field of study within <a href="/facts/Occupational_safety_and_health/ko1IeS92">occupational safety and health</a> and <a href="/facts/Public_health/4563Kre9">public health</a>. Short term risks may include physical injury (e.g., eye, back, head, etc.), while long-term risks may be an increased risk of developing <a href="/facts/Occupational_disease/Wh5yeEAA">occupational disease</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Cancer/PVW6n1D0">cancer</a> or <a href="/facts/Cardiovascular_disease/HD420nMv">heart disease</a>. In general, adverse health effects caused by short term risks are reversible, while those caused by long term risks are irreversible.
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Occupational hazard