occupational hazard
/,ɔkju'peiʃənl'hæzəd/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun A risk or danger that is inherently and specifically associated with a particular job, profession, or workplace, and which may result in illness, injury, or other adverse health effects.
Usage
The term "occupational hazard" is used to describe a danger that is a recognized and typical part of a specific line of work. It implies a risk that workers in that field accept or must guard against as a condition of their employment.
Examples
- Hearing loss is a well-known occupational hazard for construction workers and musicians.
- Back strain is considered an occupational hazard in nursing.
- Exposure to certain chemicals is an occupational hazard in laboratory work.
- The possibility of contracting an infectious disease is a serious occupational hazard for healthcare professionals.
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is sometimes used metaphorically in informal contexts to describe a common, negative consequence of any regular activity.
- For a teacher, a sore throat from talking all day is just an occupational hazard.
- It can be used in legal and insurance contexts to determine liability and compensation for work-related illnesses or injuries.
Variants and Related Words
- Hazard (noun): A source of danger.
- Occupational disease (noun): A chronic illness or condition contracted as a direct result of one's work, often developing over a long period (e.g., black lung disease in miners).
- Workplace hazard (noun): A more general term for any danger present in a work environment.
Synonyms
- Job risk
- Professional risk
- Work-related danger
- Employment hazard
Idioms and Common Phrases
- To be an occupational hazard: To be an unavoidable risk of a particular job.
- Stress is just an occupational hazard of being a stock trader.
Noun
- any condition of a job that can result in illness or injury