OSH Answers Fact Sheets

What is the fire tetrahedron? To understand how to prevent fires, it is important to know how a fire can occur. Four elements must be present at the same time for a fire to take place: Fuel or combustible material - something to burn, such as paper or wood. Heat - to raise the material to its ignition (burning) temperature. Oxygen - to sustain combustion (the fire). Chemical reaction - the process of burning. If you remove any of these four elements, the fire will not be able to burn. What...

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...

Why should we be concerned about working in the cold? Working in cold environments can be hazardous to your health, including life-threatening illnesses. It is critical that the body be able to preserve its core body temperature steady at 37°C (98.6°F). This thermal balance must be maintained to maintain normal body functioning and provide energy for activity or work. When the body temperature is too low, it can affect the brain, making it difficult for a worker to think clearly or move...

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...