Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
occupational hazard

occupational hazard

9 4.1
A risk that happens often in a certain job, for example getting hurt
  • noun
  • /ˌɑkjəˈpeɪʃənəl ˈhæzərd/
: riesgo ocupacional
  • Health problems are compounded for children, who are more susceptible to occupational hazards than adults.

And that can be an occupational hazard, let's put it that way.

Examples

  • Slander is not simply a legal error or an occupational hazard; it is a great sin.

    Academic text (1993)

  • Several studies have attributed hearing loss in dentists to this occupational hazard.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Part of this is just the occupational hazard that comes with the job.

  • Guys like that are just an occupational hazard.

    Cloud Atlas (2012)

  • For a Kelly, getting shot was an occupational hazard.

    Reckless Kelly (1993)

  • The international nursing community has long recognized manual patient handling as a true occupational hazard.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Keith Jarrett has a serious post-whiplash condition right now, which he views as an occupational hazard.

    Academic text (2010)

  • Some regional companies had approached ISU to help identify and resolve potential occupational hazards.

    Academic text (1997)

  • In fact, there has been a chunk of research exploring the occupational hazards and long-term effects of prolonged standing.

    Blog text (26)

  • Working as a firefighter involves many occupational hazards, such as exposure to smoke and flames.

Synonyms

hazard
vsoccupational hazard
154 3.4

Something that can cause harm or danger

is specifically a normal risk tied to a particular job
health risk
vsoccupational hazard
27 3.3

Something that can make you ill or harm your body

is that harm when it is a regular, expected feature of a job
health hazard
vsoccupational hazard
15 2.8

A thing that can make people sick

is the same danger but appears as a regular part of certain work
safety concern
vsoccupational hazard
15 3.1

A matter that may cause harm to people's health or safety

is used for worries rather than definite job dangers

Antonyms

safety
∞ 1.0

A place or condition that protects you from danger

security
408 2.4

The feeling of being safe from danger or threat

How Dangerous

occupational hazard
9 4.1
hazard
154 3.4
risk
∞ 1.9

Surface Forms

occupational hazard singular
occupational hazards plural

Morphology

occupational + hazard

The meaning 'a risk or danger related to a job' is directly and transparently built from 'occupational' (connected to work) + 'hazard' (danger). This compositional relation follows regular noun-modifier patterns found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Occupational hazard paints a simple picture: occupational means 'about a job' and hazard means 'danger', so imagine a worker surrounded by dangers that are just part of the work, like a chef getting burns or a miner breathing dust. That's why it means a 'risk' that is a normal part of a job.