Identifying Common Workplace Biohazards

Written by Staff Writer

Forklift forks and hard hats get most of the attention on job sites. Biological hazards rarely do. That is the problem.

A biohazard can show up in a place that looks totally normal, like a breakroom trash can, a janitor closet, a first-aid bin or a back corner of a warehouse where water has been sitting for weeks. When people miss the risk, they also miss the controls.

What is a biohazard? Why do they matter at work? What actually reduces your risk? And when does training like HAZWOPER enter the picture?

Biological Hazards 101

Ever wondered what a biohazard really is? Here’s the plain version. A biological hazard is anything that can make you sick through:

• Touch
• Breathing it in
• Swallowing it by accident

That’s it. That definition sounds clinical, but the worksite version is simple. If a material can carry infectious organisms or biological toxins, and it can reasonably reach a person’s eyes, mouth, lungs or broken skin, it belongs in the biohazard bucket.

It also helps to remember what a biohazard is not. Dirty does not always mean biological risk. And biological risk does not always look dirty.

What is Biosecurity?

The practice of stopping harmful biological agents from getting in, spreading or escaping is what is called biosecurity.

In a workplace, biosecurity is about control: 

• Control of people
• Control of materials
• Control of waste

Why? To keep contamination from moving beyond where it started. This usually involves:

• Restricted access to certain areas
• Clear handling and disposal rules
• Proper training for workers

The goal is prevention. If the hazard never spreads, the risk stays contained.

Six Common Worksite Scenarios Where Hazardous Materials Show Up

It’s important to study these six problems you may encounter at your own worksite:

1. Restrooms and Wastewater

• Backed-up toilets
• Sewage spills
• Basic wastewater handling

2. Water Damage and Mold

• Flooded areas
• Slow leaks behind walls
• Long-term dampness that grows mold

3. Sharp Items in Public Spaces

• Needles in dumpsters
• Improper disposal in public areas

4. Blood and Trauma Cleanup

• After workplace injuries
• Following vehicle crashes
• In the wake of violent incidents

5. Animal and Pest Hazards

• Bird droppings in rafters
• Rodent activity in storage areas
• Animal waste in attics or warehouses

6. Medical and Bio Waste

• Clinics and dental offices
• Mobile health units
• Other healthcare settings

A worker in general industry might never touch medical waste. Still, they can face exposure during cleanup, repairs or disposal. That is why awareness matters.

For a bigger list of common biological hazard scenarios, OSHA Education Center’s guide to biological hazard examples is a helpful starting point.

Three Examples and Types of Biohazards

Biohazards usually fit into a few clear groups. These groups guide decisions about controls, protective gear and disposal.

1. Infectious Materials from People

Blood and other potentially infectious materials are the classic workplace biological hazard. OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard covers protections here.

Even outside healthcare, small incidents can create big cleanup needs:

• A cut hand
• A nosebleed
• A forklift collision

Can you see why paper towels are not enough for most hazards of this type?

2. Environmental Biological Growth

Stagnant water creates problems fast, and so do damp materials and stuffy air. Microbes thrive in these conditions. They can irritate lungs and worsen asthma. Cleanup also gets harder.

Flood restoration is especially risky. Contaminated water and debris are common. Workers who deal with environmental health and safety hazards know small issues can escalate quickly.

3. Toxins from Living Organisms

Some biohazards come from toxins made by living things. Think bacteria, mold or some types of algae. These don’t always infect a worker. But they can still make people sick through breathing or skin contact.

So, why take the risk? Even brief exposure can cause problems. Treat them as a risk until proven otherwise. Best practices include:

• Assuming unknown substances are hazardous
• Limiting exposure immediately
• Identifying the source before work continues

Remember: Caution first and answers second.

Why Does the Biohazard Symbol Exist?

The biohazard symbol is not a decoration. It is a fast warning system.

It tells workers, at a glance:

1. Exposure is possible
2. Special handling is required
3. Disposal rules apply

But here is the catch. The symbol only works when people know what it means and what to do next. How many workers get shown the sign, but never get trained on the decisions that follow?

Watch Out for Exposure Pathways

Biohazard prevention becomes easier when the exposure routes are clear. Most worksite exposures happen through a few predictable pathways:

• Contact with broken skin, cuts or abrasions
• Splash to eyes, nose or mouth
• Punctures from sharps
• Breathing aerosols or dust created during cleanup
• Hand-to-mouth contact after touching contaminated surfaces

This is why small habits matter, like handwashing, not eating in contaminated areas, not dry sweeping unknown debris and using barriers and disinfectants correctly.

A worker does not need to fear every surface. They need a plan that matches the exposure route.

Smart Controls for Real Worksites

Biohazard safety is not only personal protective equipment (PPE). The strongest protection is the full set of controls working together.

A simple control stack looks like this:

• Identify the hazard and restrict access
• Use containment, ventilation or wet methods to reduce airborne spread
• Select PPE based on the exposure route
• Use approved disinfectants and defined cleanup steps
• Package waste correctly, and document what happened

PPE matters most when it is matched to the task. Gloves alone are not enough if splashes are likely. A basic face covering is not a respirator. A worker should not be improvising.

Waste Handling and Disposal

Biohazard waste is a downstream problem. If contaminated materials end up in regular trash, the risk moves down the line: 

• Custodial staff
• Waste handlers
• Anyone who later touches the bag

Remember, sharps are especially dangerous, too.

Hazardous Substances and HAZWOPER

Some biohazard situations stay small and controllable. Others escalate into broader hazardous substance response, especially when multiple hazards overlap.

Workers who need that training pathway can start with OSHA Education Center’s HAZWOPER training and the explainer page on what HAZWOPER is.

What Comes Next?

Not every worker needs the same level of training. The right course depends on what a worker will actually do, and how often.

Common HAZWOPER training options include:

• 24-hour HAZWOPER training for certain limited duty roles
• 40-hour HAZWOPER training for workers involved in hazardous waste operations and higher exposure roles
• 8-hour HAZWOPER refresher training for keeping training current

If a supervisor is unsure where a role fits, the overview page on training courses for HAZWOPER can help compare options and match duties to training.

For workers thinking about the career side, OSHA Education Center’s guide to HAZWOPER compliance jobs explains where this training shows up in the real world.

Can Online Training Help?

Biohazard risks show up in industries with shift work, travel and unpredictable schedules. That makes training logistics hard.

Online courses help with the classroom part. They fit real life, but HAZWOPER still needs hands-on practice — like actually using PPE in a safe setting — plus any site-specific training.

For a deeper look at why this format works, OSHA Education Center breaks down online HAZWOPER training benefits.

A Practical Next Step

Biohazards are not rare. They are just easy to ignore until the day a cleanup goes wrong.

Treat biological hazards like any other real risk:

1. Name how exposure could happen
2. Pick controls that actually fit the task
3. Train people before pressure hits

When the next spill arrives, aim for this:

• Fewer surprises
• Fewer shortcuts
• A safer shift for everyone

Wouldn’t that make work feel steadier?