British Sign Language Glossaries of Curriculum Terms

BSL Environmental Science Glossary - Hazard definition

Definition: A hazard is something that can happen that could then result in harm or injury to the environment, animals, plants, to us and to property. There are lots of different types of hazards: natural hazards like earthquakes, which can cause serious damage to homes and to people and the environment. Laboratory chemicals can also be a hazard - if someone isn't wearing safety goggles they're mixing chemicals and something splashes in their eyes, this can cause significant damage. Machinery in factories may also be a hazard - accidents can result in loss of limbs; exposure to the noise coming from machines can damage a person's hearing - these are all examples of potential hazards.