When you walk into work each day, the last thing on your mind is potential perils in your workplace. Unfortunately, there the risks and dangers that can threaten your safety and that of your coworkers—no matter the industry you’re a part of. Check out these five major hazards in the workplace to look out for when practicing safety on the job.
Chemical Exposure
Chemicals in liquids, gases, fumes, and vapors pose risks to many people—especially the people who work with them. Construction workers expose themselves to dust, asbestos, and other toxic chemicals during demolition. People in the medical field subject themselves to dangerous cleaning solutions and medical procedures.
Having reliable personal protective equipment is essential to the work environment to shield workers when they’re working in sensitive situations.
Falls and Falling Objects
Injuries from slips, trips, and falls are serious events that affect those directly involved in the incident. These accidents cost employers. Hazards that cause fall injuries are the most cited violations by OSHA and are responsible for fatalities in many work environments.
Electrical Hazards
Common electrical hazards include outdated or poor wiring practices. Overloaded power strips and outlets in the offices are very dangerous. Having contact with live wires can cause electric shock, burns, and even fires.
Fire Hazards
Fire hazards in the workplace can result from combustible dust, flammable liquids, gasses, hot work such as welding and torch cutting, and faulty equipment and machinery. While these hazards are present in industrial environments and construction sites, other industries also have fire hazards.
For example, open flames in a restaurant’s kitchen can cause loose clothing and hair to catch fire. Full grease traps with remnants of food and stray paper products can catch fire when a worker adds hot grease.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
People who work in healthcare, construction, and other labor-intense industries are familiar with repetitive motion and the risk of bodily injuries. Muscle sprains and tears due to improper lifting techniques can happen at any time and can cause damage to nerves, ligaments, and tendons.
Having dangers present in the work environment is a risky practice that can cost more than a fine. Looking out for major hazards in the workplace facilitates awareness and safety for yourself and those you work with.
