What type of hazard does exposure to loud noise represent?

Exposure to loud noise is classified as a physical hazard. Physical hazards are typically related to the environmental conditions that can cause harm to a worker. In this case, loud noise can lead to various health issues, primarily hearing loss, as well as increased levels of stress and a decreased ability to communicate effectively on the job.

Unlike chemical hazards which involve exposure to substances that can cause harm through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, or biological hazards that relate to exposure to organisms like bacteria or viruses, physical hazards directly affect the body's physical state through environmental factors. Furthermore, psychosocial hazards pertain more to workplace stress, workplace relationships, or issues related to mental health that are not inherently physical in nature. Thus, identifying noise as a physical hazard underscores the direct nature of its impact on workers' health and safety.