| An International Hazard Datasheets on Occupations is a multipurpose information resource containing information on the hazards, risks and notions of prevention related to a specific occupation. These datasheets are intended for those professionally concerned with health and safety at work including: occupational physicians and nurses, safety engineers, hygienists, education and information specialists, inspectors, employers' representatives, workers' representatives, safety officers and other competent persons.
These datasheets list in a standard format different hazards to which a worker, in the normal course of normal work, may be exposed to. It provides several measures for the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases. These datasheets are a source of information rather than advice.
Each datasheet is, to a certain degree, similar to a Chemical Safety Data Sheet (also know as a Material Safety Data Sheet). The Chemical Safety Data Sheet is a standardized document that serves to alert both the worker and the occupational safety and health professional about the relevant hazards at the workplace as well as means of prevention on a specific chemical substance. However, unlike the Chemical Safety Data Sheet, the International Hazard Datasheets on Occupations is designed to cover the range of hazards to which the worker may be exposed to while performing the tasks typically associated with the occupation being addressed. The information presented could then serve as a basis for the development of informational and instructional materials (such as curricula, guidelines, checklists, codes of practice and warning notes) and for the selection of appropriate measures to either abate or reduce the risk of exposure.
The International Hazard Datasheets on Occupations project is an undertaking of the International Labour Office (ILO), which was initiated by the Israel Institute for Occupational Safety and Hygiene (IIOSH). It is being developed in cooperation with the European Union and National ILO/CIS Occupational Safety and Health Information Centres throughout the world.
With the knowledge of what causes injuries and diseases, it is easier to design and implement suitable measures towards prevention.
The format of the datasheet is four pages: - Page 1: Information on the most relevant hazards related to the occupation.
- Page 2: A more detailed and systematized presentation on the different hazards related to the job with indicators for preventive measures (marked
 and explained on the third page). - Page 3: Suggestions for preventive measures for selected hazards.
- Page 4: Specialized information, relevant primarily to occupational safety and health professionals and including information such as a brief job description, a list of tasks, notes and references.
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