Distribution Hazards: Climatic hazards

Basic Hazard / Typical circumstances

High temperature
- Direct exposure to sunshine
- Proximity to boilers, heating systems, etc
- Indirect exposure to sun in sheds, vehicles, etc. with poor insulation
- High ambient air temperature

Low temperature
- Unheated storage in cold climates
- Transport in unheated aircraft holds
- Cold storage

Low pressure
- Change in altitude, particularly in unpressurized aircraft holds.

Light
- Direct sunshine
- UV exposure
- Artificial lightning

Liquid water
(a) fresh water
- Rain during transit, loading and unloading, warehousing and storage - Puddles and flooding.
- Condensation and ship sweat, etc.

(b) polluted
- Salt sea spray – deck cargo, lightering surf boats, etc.
- Salt water puddles on docks, etc
- Bilge water and sea water in holds
- Industrially polluted puddles and spray, e.g. at chemical works

Dust
- Exposure to wind-driven particles of sand, dust, grit, etc.

Water Vapor
- Humidity of the atmosphere, both natural and artificial.