Peligros

Peligros is the Spanish term for hazards or dangers. In safety science and risk management, it denotes sources of potential harm or adverse health effects that could affect people, property, or the environment. A peligro is something that could cause harm if a person is exposed to it under certain conditions. Distinguishing hazards from risk is common: hazards are the potential to cause harm, while risk is the probability and severity of that harm given exposure.

Hazards are categorized by type: physical hazards (moving machinery, heights, noise), chemical hazards (toxic substances, solvents, flammable liquids), biological hazards (pathogens, mold, allergens), ergonomic hazards (repetitive strain, poor posture), psychosocial hazards (work-related stress, violence), and environmental or natural hazards (floods, heat waves, earthquakes). There are also radiological and electrical hazards.

Risk assessment involves hazard identification, exposure assessment, and estimation of likelihood and severity to prioritize controls. The control hierarchy begins with eliminating the hazard where possible, substituting less hazardous options, implementing engineering controls, applying administrative controls, and using personal protective equipment as a last resort.

Management of peligros includes safety programs, training and communication, incident reporting, and ongoing monitoring. In workplaces, an assessment of peligros often combines with regulatory requirements and industry standards to inform safety plans and emergency procedures. The term is also used in public health and environmental planning to address hazards at community or national levels.

Notes: In Spanish, peligro is danger or hazard; peligro and riesgos (risks) are related concepts but not interchangeable in all contexts. Hazard identification and risk assessment are central to occupational safety and health frameworks.