What are the Most Common Workplace Hazards?

Employers often go to great lengths to minimize the potential for accidents in the workplace. By implementing strategies that comply with governmental safety regulations, as well as taking practical steps that are relevant to the particular work setting, it is possible to keep employees safe from many forms of harm. The task of identifying workplace hazards and implementing ways to avoid those hazards is ongoing, with businesses of all sizes often dealing with several different types of hazards.

One common example of workplace hazards is known as a biological hazard. Employees who work with chemicals and various types of synthesized materials can be exposed to substances that are life-threatening. This means employers must be aware of or create safety precautions that minimize the potential for triggering allergies or causing some type of distress to the body or mind due to exposure to certain compounds. In extreme environments, protective clothing and even some type of breathing apparatus to minimize respiratory hazards may be necessary in order to keep employees safe.

Safety hazards are another common category of workplace hazards that are the concern of all employers. Here, the focus is on making sure the structures where people work meet local building codes and adequately provide the space needed to perform tasks without endangering themselves or others. This means laying out production floor plans so that units of machinery are spaced properly, there are clear entry and exit points throughout the space, and the flow of foot traffic is ample to allow people to walk safely from one location to the next. Care in the choice of equipment, such as chairs, workstations, and other devices used by employees is also key, making sure the equipment meets governmental standards for safety.

Stress hazards and workplace violence are also found under the wide range of workplace hazards. Policies and procedures that protect employees from verbal and physical violence initiated by others in the facility are extremely important to the safety effort. In like manner, types of violence such as sexual harassment are also covered in the safety regulations implemented by many companies around the world. It is not unusual for companies to augment procedures with support for any employee who is subjected to violence in any form, often by providing counseling for the employee as a means of aiding in recovery from the trauma created by the act of violence.

In most nations, national safety regulations apply to the operation of every type of business. Along with these general regulations, there are specific safety requirements for various industries that are unique to those business settings. When evaluating workplace hazards, consulting those regulations, including those that are industry-specific, makes it much easier to protect employees and create an environment that is safe for everyone, and inspires trust from employees.