Every workplace has its own specific hazards / risks relevant to the work or industry. However, we consider these to be the top 10 hazards that occur all too often within most workplaces.  Other hazards / risks may be more dangerous but these need ongoing attention.  It’s the responsibility of employers and workplaces to make sure employees are working in a safe environment.  By considering and making changes the following potential hazards can be safely and easily prevented.

Slips, trips, and falls

Falls from tripping over who-knows-what (uneven floor surfaces, wet floors, rubbish, loose cables, etc.) are easily the most common cause of injuries at work. Most of these incidents could be prevented if safety regulations were followed properly.  Simple steps that can be taken to ensure safety include – cleaning up spills, putting equipment (especially cables) back where they belong, using hand rails, improving lighting and wearing slip resistant footwear or using beveled mats.

Electrical

Any “live” wires can harm people, whether touched directly, or indirectly through some sort of conducting object or material. Voltages over 50 volts AC (120 volts DC) are considered hazardous and should be taken seriously. Shocks can cause severe, permanent injuries or even fatalities.  Some basic electrical safety steps include: maintaining all electrical installations, choosing the right equipment for the job, and replacing any damaged sections of cables. Faulty electrical appliances can sometimes lead to fire, too.

Fire

Workplaces with poor housekeeping standards, public access and poorly maintained equipment can be susceptible to fire. Having fire alarms and detectors throughout the workplace is a must.  Using fire extinguishers in your workplace and in vehicles should be available and form part of an emergency plan.  Testing and servicing this equipment frequently is a must.  All staff should be trained on their use.  If workers operate around open flames they should be provided fire resistant workwear.  Employees need to be aware of how the alarm system works, and a proper emergency escape plans need to be established and made known to all workers.

Working in confined spaces

Places that are mostly enclosed can become dangerous locations to work. Chambers, tanks, silos, vats, pits, trenches, sewers, drains, ductwork, and unventilated or poorly ventilated rooms can increase the risk of death or serious injury. Welding, painting, flame-cutting, and the use of chemicals in small areas can create dangerous work conditions. Poor training can injure not only workers confined in these spaces, but also those attempting to rescue them.

One fairly obvious way to reduce your risk from working in confined spaces is to AVOID ENTRY INTO CONFINED SPACES. Is it really necessary to go into said place and work there? If it’s absolutely unavoidable, follow safety precautions. Include proper training and instructions in order to safely complete any necessary work and make emergency arrangements before you even start working.

Physical hazards

This is somewhat of a generic work hazard to mention, but it’s an important one. Physical hazards are some of the most common hazards, and they show up in the workplace too often. Frayed electrical cords, unguarded machinery, exposed moving parts, vibrations, and working from ladders, scaffolding, or heights.  Ensure your workers are trained or educated on the proper method or operating system, provide training, appropriate work equipment or remove / eliminate the hazard all together if possible.

Ergonomical hazards

When the type of work you do plus your body position and/or working conditions all put a strain on your body, that can become an ergonomical hazard. Since they don’t always immediately affect you, this can be tricky to identify. Repetitive, awkward movements could be affecting your back, posture, and more.  To improve efficiency, increase job satisfaction, and reduce the risk of fatigue, short-term pain, or illnesses, it’s important to incorporate ergonomic principles within the workplace.

Instead of doing the same thing over and over, task variety will minimize repetitive movements. Having an appropriate work pace gives the body time to recover after certain movements, like lifting. Work breaks also give the body time to recover, and they provide workers with a mental break, too.  Training can help employees learn exactly how to complete tasks in the best possible way to avoid strains and injuries.  Have tools, materials, and equipment in easy reach doesn’t make employees lazy…these strategies will improve production and make employees comfortable with their work environment.

Chemical hazards

When you’re exposed to any chemical preparation (whether it’s a solid, liquid, or gas), these can be potential chemical hazards. Cleaning products and solvents, vapors and fumes, carbon monoxide, gasoline, and flammable materials are all things that can damage your health. Skin irritations, burns, eye injuries, and blindness can occur if you’re not careful. Solvents can easily catch on fire, and spray paint cans are capable of exploding.

Hazardous substances will be labeled and include symbols with different class levels, so you’ll know when to be cautious. Always read these labels and follow the directions and precautions precisely. If you don’t know how to correctly use a product, don’t use it.  Protect yourself and those around you by disposing of chemicals properly. Reducing the use of hazardous chemicals is a way keep the workplace safe. Providing adequate ventilation, washing your hands, minimizing exposure to chemicals, maintaining equipment to prevent leaks and breakdowns, and using personal protective gear, all minimize the effects of dangerous chemicals.

Biological hazards

Blood or other bodily fluids, bacteria and viruses, insect bites, and animal and bird droppings are all considered biological hazards. These are also called biological agents, and they can cause illnesses and diseases in humans. Parasitic worms and some plants are biological agents. Through physical contact, you can contract these illnesses, so it’s important to practice good personal hygiene.

Clean and disinfect – a lot. If you handle bio-hazardous waste materials, please do so safely. Even if you think you’re in the clear, blood and any other bodily fluids should always be handled as if they could be infectious. Wearing personal protective equipment, like gloves and masks can prevent infections from occurring as well.

Asbestos

Asbestos deserves its own ranking – it can lead to the development of breathing difficulties and mesothelioma (a type of cancer) after exposure, so we thought it was important to mention. Asbestos fibers can pass through your lungs and stay there for many years.

Workers that have to perform maintenance on buildings with asbestos are most at risk. Insulation, fire protection, and paints are some of places it can be found on buildings. To reduce your risk of asbestos-related sicknesses, decide how to prevent any disturbances of asbestos on the premises. Special asbestos contractors can help you decide what steep to take next.

Noise

Loud noises in the workplace can cause permanent damage to your hearing, whether you want to believe it or not.  Hearing loss can happen progressively, or it can be caused immediately by exposure to peak sound waves produced by explosive sounds, such as gunfire, explosions, or cartridge operated tools. If you work in a noisy place, like a factory or construction site, or even at an airport, you are among those most at risk.

If people have to raise their voices to be heard from even just a yard away, that’s a good indication that the noise level is reaching a harmful level. Use hearing protection at all times. Equipment maintenance is important, as always, and employers should work to reduce the sources of noise if possible. Enclosing noisy machinery away from workers can help, and limiting access by keeping people out of noisy areas altogether can make a big difference in controlling exposure.