English

Noun

occupational hazard ‎(plural occupational hazards)

1. A substantial risk to a worker's physical or mental well-being which is present in a certain task, job, or profession.
   • 1984, Richard Lacayo et al., "Show Business: Audiences Love to Hate Them," Time, 9 July:

     They are the abrasive breed of radio and television personalities, most of them talk-show hosts, who treat their profession as a verbal adjunct to street fighting. . . . Threats and sometimes violence are indeed an occupational hazard.

2. (figuratively, by extension) An unpleasant, inconvenient, or unusual circumstance which occurs or is likely to occur during the course of one's employment.
   • 1988, Susan Howatch, Glittering Images, ISBN 9780449214367, p. 10:

     The attentions of passionate spinsters were an occupational hazard for all members of the clergy.

   • 2008, Steve Berry, The Venetian Betrayal, ISBN 9780345485786 p. 557

     Today he was going to make a few stops at the rare-book shops in the area—an occupational hazard of his new profession.

   • 2009, Jon Talton, Concrete Desert, ISBN 9781458743381, p. 201:

     "Sorry. Asking uncomfortable questions at the most inopportune time is an occupational hazard."

   • 2010, Lisa Gardner, The Neighbor, ISBN 9780553591903, p. 237:

     "Student crushes are an occupational hazard. Ask any teacher."

Translations

References

• occupational hazard at OneLook Dictionary Search