Identify Workplace Hazards

CLB Level: 3/4
Essential Skills Focus:
Oral Communication (discussion, watching a video)
Task: Identify Hazard Situations
Purpose: Students will
  • understand the importance of job safety.
  • identify various health and safety hazards found in various jobs.
  • be able to explain three effective ways to minimize or eliminate safety hazards.
Materials: visuals of unsafe working environments (not attached), website (video):
Learning Style: Visual, auditory
Time: 1 lesson / Method:
1. Have a warm-up discussion with students regarding the types of jobs they have held either in Canada or the home countries. Ask them if they have ever been injured on the job and if they are willing to share any personal stories. Ask if they know of any laws protecting them from unsafe work practices.
2. Brainstorm as a class the word 'hazard' and its possible meaning. Ask students to think of any hazards and write them on the white board.
3. Explain to students that hazards are categorized into Physical, Chemical, Biological, Ergonomic, and Psycho-Social hazards. Explain each hazard and discuss as a class.
4. Place students in groups at their tables. Give a packet of
hazard visuals (use Google images) to each group.
5. Explain to each group that they should look at the visuals and try to find as many hazards as they can and circle the hazards. Give the students about 15 minutes to discuss in their groups.
6. After the 15 minutes are up, place a copy of each hazard visual on the overhead projector. Ask students to identify the hazards their groups found and write them on the white board according to their category (physical, chemical, biological, psycho-social, ergonomic).
7. Discuss different workplaces (fast food restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, construction, etc. Discuss with students ways to make each workplace safer. (i.e.: safety training, proper breaks, rules and proper procedures, etc.).
Follow Up:In follow up activities done in subsequent classes, students will watch videos of workers who had been hurt on the job and discuss how these injuries could have been prevented.
Debrief/Transfer: Ask students what they learned today
that they did not know before. Ask them why it is important
to assess the potential hazards at the workplace.

WinnipegSchool Division Adult EAL ProgramEssential Skill Focus: Oral Communication

Author: Catherine CampbellCLB level: 3/4