The average person finds it difficult to assess risks. For this reason work practices need to be regulated. Examples of dangerous activities are:
- welding or grinding without goggles
- working on a construction site work without a hard hat
- working in noisy factories, cabs, on airport tarmacs and with outdoor machinery without ear protection
- working in chemical areas without protective clothing
- smoking near hazardous substances
Without regulation some employees will take risks. Health and safety is a part of employment (labour) law. It covers general matters such as:
1) occupational health;
2) accident prevention regulations;
3) special regulations for hazardous occupations such as mining and building;
4) provisions for risks such as poisons, dangerous machinery, dust, noise, vibration, and radiation;
5) the full range of dangers arising from modern industrial processes, for example the widespread use of chemicals.
The key concerns for health and safety are to assess the risks and hazards by identifying and quantifying the effects so that appropriate protective measures can be taken.