Hazmat: meaning, definitions and examples
☣️
hazmat
[ ˈhæzmæt ]
safety equipment
Hazmat is a term used to refer to hazardous materials that pose a risk to health, safety, or property. This includes substances such as chemicals, biological agents, and radioactive materials that require special handling or disposal procedures. The term is commonly used in contexts related to emergency response and waste management.
Synonyms
dangerous goods, hazardous material, toxic substance
Examples of usage
- The hazmat team was called in to handle the chemical spill.
- Employees must wear hazmat suits when working with toxic substances.
- The lab is equipped with hazmat storage for dangerous chemicals.
Translations
Translations of the word "hazmat" in other languages:
🇵🇹 materiais perigosos
🇮🇳 खतरनाक सामग्री
🇩🇪 Gefahrstoffe
🇮🇩 bahan berbahaya
🇺🇦 небезпечні матеріали
🇵🇱 materiały niebezpieczne
🇯🇵 危険物
🇫🇷 matériaux dangereux
🇪🇸 materiales peligrosos
🇹🇷 tehlikeli maddeler
🇰🇷 위험 물질
🇸🇦 مواد خطرة
🇨🇿 nebezpečné materiály
🇸🇰 nebezpečné materiály
🇨🇳 危险材料
🇸🇮 nevarni materiali
🇮🇸 hættuleg efni
🇰🇿 қауіпті заттар
🇬🇪 საფრთხო მასალები
🇦🇿 təhlükəli materiallar
🇲🇽 materiales peligrosos
Etymology
The term 'hazmat' is a contraction of 'hazardous materials,' which originated in the late 20th century as environmental and industrial safety became more prominent. It entered common usage in the United States during the 1970s, especially as regulations around chemical safety increased. Government agencies, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), began developing guidelines for the handling of hazardous materials, and the need for specialized training and equipment became apparent. 'Hazmat' is often associated with first responders, such as firefighters and emergency medical technicians, who are trained to manage incidents involving dangerous substances. The usage of the word has since spread to various industries, influencing safety protocols and training programs globally.