Common workplace hazards

Common workplace hazards

A hazard is anything that increases the chances of an accident occurring. Anything that poses a potential threat to employees or equipment is a workplace hazard. There are several hazards in the workplace and come from a number of sources. Therefore, a firm must be prudent enough to identify them and design sound mitigation strategies.

Small businesses must work around the clock to reduce hazards during production. A workplace can expose employees to several hazardous substances or chemicals, some of which can be instantly harmful, while others take time to harm. Some work environments, such as a medical facility, can expose works to hazardous radiation.

There is a need to eliminate hazards that can be reduced and control those that can’t be removed. In any business setting, a hazard results in adverse effects on organization employees or productivity. Hazards can lead to health implications to employees, reduced productivity, or damage the business image.

Common workplace hazards include chemical, safety, ergonomic, biological, and psychological hazards.

Chemicals

Chemicals in a work environment consists of cleaning products and chemicals used in the production process. This hazard mainly affects workers whose roles entail dealing with dangerous solvents, liquids, or flammable gases. Workers of cleaning companies and engineering facilities are more threatened by this hazard.

When chemicals are mishandled, they can result in injuries to both employees and equipment, illness, skin irritation, respiratory problems, or in extreme cases, explosion and death occurs.

Organizations can prevent chemical hazards from causing negative implications to workers and equipment by training employees and supervisors, providing MSDSs (Material Safety Data Sheets and WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Material Information System).

Safety Hazards

All employee, despite the nature of work, is exposed to safety hazards. However, workers in a construction site or those handling machinery are more threatened by this class of hazards. Safety hazards are characterised by trips, falls, slips, electrical hazards, and operating vicious machines, among others.

Employees whose work entails working at elevated heights are at a higher risk of accidental falls. Anytime an object is above the head level, there is a risk of injury due to unexpected fall. Therefore, workers in such an environment are encouraged to wear protective gear and install guardrails to reduce the chances of falling objects hitting people.

On the other hand, poorly fitted electrical wires pose risks to workers. To minimize electric injuries, use one power strip or one extension cord per connection. Also, ensure that liquids and electrical equipment do not come into contact.

Ergonomic Hazards

Ergonomic hazards can affect employees working in an office setting or a construction site. These hazards affect workers whose work involves putting a strain on their bodies. The bad thing about ergonomic hazards is that they can hardly be noticed. It takes time for the effects to magnify themselves. If your workstation is not well designed to support handling of manual work such as heavy lifting, practices may develop injuries due to poor posture.

Employers should make sure workers have the necessary equipment to help them do their jobs comfortably. In addition, employers should encourage their workers to perform exercises to avert musculoskeletal disorders.

Psychological Hazards

Psychological hazards are violence, stress, or bullying in the workplace. This mainly involves how managers treat their juniors or how workers interact with each other. Also, stress can be a result of lack of specific equipment or tools to perform a task, which makes it hard to complete such a task.

Organizations should put in place a department that workers can freely access and explain their emotional issues. Such issues may be harassment and tress, among others. Besides, managers and supervisors should regularly talk to workers on one on one basis where employees can voice their grievances.

Biological Hazards

Biological hazards can cause a lot of harm to workers. They mainly affect workers who are exposed to treacherous diseases and substances associated with working amongst people, animals, or transmittable plant materials. Employees in environments such as hospitals, laboratories, or other outdoor occupations are more exposed to biological hazards.

If a company fails to identify hazards, fatal accidents, and injuries may occur at the workplace. An organization should examine all health and safety programs to identify and access all hazards consistently. This is done to ensure all workers are safe and protected from potential risks.