High-energy hazard
A hazard whose energy, if released, is enough to kill or cause life-altering injury.
The research threshold is about 1,500 joules. Above it a serious injury or fatality is the most likely outcome of contact. Common high-energy situations include:
- A person at height above about 1.2 metres
- A suspended load
- A vehicle in motion near workers
- Electrical contact at 50 volts or more
- An unsupported trench deeper than about 1.5 metres
- High-pressure lines
The threshold separates the hazards that can kill, where a Direct Control is the aim, from the ones ordinary controls can manage.
Related terms
- High-energy threshold (1,500 joules)
- The research-based line above which a serious injury is the most likely outcome of contact.
- STKY (Stuff That Kills You)
- The plain-language name for the high-energy hazards on a job.
- Direct Control
- A control that stops a high-energy release even when a person makes a mistake.