What kind of hazard is caused when fertilizer sparks a fire due to improper handling?

The correct answer identifies this scenario as a physical hazard. Physical hazards are associated with the potential for an injury or harm caused by physical entities or conditions in the environment. In this case, the risk arises from the improper handling of fertilizer, which can ignite and result in a fire. This highlights the inherent dangers linked to physical materials and substances, particularly those that can react under certain conditions, such as chemicals found in fertilizers.

Understanding this classification is crucial for safety training, as it helps workers recognize and mitigate risks associated with potentially hazardous materials, ensuring a safer work environment. While health hazards typically relate to exposure that can lead to illness or injury over time, and environmental hazards relate to risks posed to ecosystems, this situation distinctly involves immediate physical reactions, reinforcing the importance of proper handling and storage protocols for reactive chemicals.