What is an example of a physical hazard at a hazardous waste site?

Heavy machinery is a clear example of a physical hazard at a hazardous waste site because it poses risks related to machinery operation, such as crushing, striking, or pinning injuries. These hazards are often associated with equipment such as bulldozers, excavators, and other large vehicles commonly used in clean-up operations.

Physical hazards are non-chemical hazards that can cause physical injury or damage. While chemical spills, radioactive materials, and poisonous gases are serious safety concerns, they fall under different categories, such as chemical hazards. Chemical spills deal primarily with harmful substances and their potential environmental impact or health risks, radioactive materials refer to the dangers associated with radiation, and poisonous gases involve inhalation risks. Each of these is critical to manage at hazardous waste sites but does not represent a physical hazard in the same way heavy machinery does.