Regardless of where you work, you’re going to run into some workplace hazards. Some places might have more serious hazards, but everywhere will have some. Many people don’t know what hazards to look for, so top safety consultants, like Robert Butchike, have talked about them at length. With that said, here are 5 common workplace hazards that happen in almost all places.
Safety Hazards
The first type of hazards that happen in the workplace are safety hazards. These are pretty much any type of hazard that can end up causing an employee to be hurt or injured. These will probably be different from place to place, but some of the things that are common are: spills on the floor, boxes or cords blocking walkways, or things like frayed cords. If you see any of these, bring it up to your boss as soon as possible!
Biological Hazards
Another type of hazard in the workplace are biological hazards. These types of hazards can happen to anyone that works with other people or animals, but some careers will have a higher risk, such as a doctor or veterinarian. Some of the biological hazards that happen are: blood or bodily fluids, mold, fungi, viruses or stuff that comes from animals, like their droppings. All of these things can end up making you sick, so get checked as soon as you’re exposed.
Physical Hazards
The next type of hazards that happen in the workplace are physical hazards. These types of hazards can end up hurting or injuring an employee with or without actually coming into contact. While those doing hard labor or factory work can be at a higher risk, anyone can experience these types of hazards. Some of the things that can cause these are: radiation, extreme heat or cold, loud noises or spending a lot of time outside in the hot sun or freezing temperatures.
Chemical Hazards
There are also chemical hazards to watch for. The bad thing about these hazards is that pretty much anyone can get affected by them. It doesn’t really matter what industry you work in and people can be exposed completely by accident. Some of the things that cause these hazards are: acids, pesticides, carbon monoxide, liquids that are flammable, fumes that result from welding, dust that comes from silica and fibers that come from fiberglass. Keep in mind, something as simple as cleaning products can cause this type of hazard!
Ergonomic Hazards
The final type of hazards are ergonomic. These generally come from those jobs that require you to do the same thing over and over or require you to sit or stand for long periods of time. Not only can these things cause a lot of strain on your body, but they can cause long term effects that end up lasting. These are a little different from the other hazards because they build up over time and are usually pretty difficult to spot.
As you can see, safety consultants like Robert Butchike try to make workplaces better by trying to bring more awareness to both employers and employees. The more you know about these hazards, the better prepared you’ll be
