OSH Answers Fact Sheets

What is a hazard? The meaning of the word hazard can be confusing. Often dictionaries do not give specific definitions or combine it with the term "risk". For example, one dictionary defines hazard as "a danger or risk" which helps explain why many people use the terms interchangeably. There are many definitions for hazard but the most common definition when talking about workplace health and safety is: A hazard is any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health...

What is PTSD? According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, “post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness. It involves exposure to trauma involving death or the threat of death, serious injury, or sexual violence.”  The FirstRespondersFirst website states “Being affected by these types of events is normal, however if the thoughts or memories of these events start to seriously affect the life of the person long after the event, that person could be...

What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus? Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a contagious respiratory virus. RSV infects the nose, throat, and lungs and typically causes mild symptoms similar to the  common cold . In certain populations, RSV can cause a serious, life threating infection.  In Canada, RSV infections occur seasonally, usually from the fall to early spring. Most cases happen in December through March. What are the symptoms of an RSV infection? In most cases, symptoms of...

What is influenza? Influenza, commonly called "the flu", is a contagious disease caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract including nose, throat, and lungs. Influenza causes severe illness and life threatening complications in many people. This document covers seasonal influenza. What is the cause of influenza? There are four types of viruses called influenza A, B, C and D. Influenza types A and B are responsible for the seasonal disease that occurs almost every winter. Influenza...