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Hazards index

Hazards are anything that can cause harm and every place of work has them. Understanding the hazards at your work can help you manage risks and keep workers safe and healthy.

This information will help you identify the hazards at your work and the steps you can take to reduce or remove risks for yourself and your workers.

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  • Environment; health and wellbeing

    Q fever

    Q fever is an infectious disease that is spread from animals to people. It is caused by bacteria called Coxiella burnetii.

    5 February 2019
  • Plant, equipment and vehicle

    On-site traffic management

    You must manage the risk of collision and injuries when vehicles and powered mobile machinery and equipment operate in the same area as pedestrians.

    6 January 2022
  • Environment

    Legionnaires’ disease

    Legionellosis is a collective term for diseases caused by Legionella bacteria, including the most serious, Legionnaires' disease, as well as the less serious condition of Pontiac fever. This page has information to help manage and minimise the risk of Legionella at your place of work.

    14 September 2020
  • Hazardous manual tasks; plant, equipment and vehicle

    Knives at work

    Knives are a common cause of injury at work. Workers who handle knives and sharp-edged objects are at risk of cutting themselves or others, or having a serious strain or sprain injury.

    9 September 2021
  • Hazardous chemicals

    Flammable and combustible liquids

    Find out about how the Globally Harmonised System defines a flammable liquid and your responsibilities for storing and handling them.

    3 February 2020
  • Hazardous chemicals; environment; health and wellbeing; material

    Infection risks from flood recovery and response work

    Workers who are involved with flood recovery and response work may be exposed to infection risks from contact with contaminated floodwater, soil and mud.

    9 May 2019
  • Environment

    Legionella risks from work with potting mix and compost

    Legionella bacteria are found in the environment. Human infection is most commonly caused by Legionella pneumophila found in man-made water systems such as cooling towers and spas, and Legionella longbeachae found in potting mix and compost.

    17 March 2020
  • Environment

    Bushfire smoke

    Ongoing bushfire activity can decrease air quality and may affect the health of all workers, not just those involved in fighting fires.

    19 July 2021
  • Hazardous chemicals

    Controlling fire and explosion risks

    Fire and explosion can have catastrophic consequences. You must control ignition sources such as naked lights, sparks and mobile phones where flammable atmospheres may exist.

    17 April 2020
  • Environment; material

    Lead

    Lead can be inhaled through dust or fumes or swallowed through eating contaminated food or smoking with contaminated fingers. Untreated lead poisoning in adults, children and pets can be fatal.

    4 April 2017
  • Hazardous chemicals; environment; material

    Hazardous dusts

    All airborne dust is hazardous to health. Dust can contain a range of materials including sand, dirt, pollen, minerals, wood, micro-organisms, and vehicle and industrial exhausts.

    27 April 2020
  • Electricity

    Electricity

    Electricity can kill if you give it the chance. Learn about your legal obligations and the steps you can take to stay safe when working around electricity.

    12 September 2019