5 Workplace Hazards to Avoid
General safety concerns are perhaps the easiest to prepare for in advance. These workplace hazards are classified as any obstacles, substances, or overall conditions that could present hindrances or dangers.
You should already be doing your best to follow all regulations put in place by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, also known as OSHA. The Occupational Safety and Health Act contains a General Duty Clause that obligates all employers to keep their employees safe. In short, all workplaces need to be set up and maintained to protect workers and visitors from death and severe injury. Reducing risk to all employees is more than a responsibility; it is a duty.
For Safety Concerns
General safety concerns are perhaps the easiest to prepare for in advance. These workplace hazards are classified as any obstacles, substances, or overall conditions that could present hindrances or dangers. Even in non-emergency situations, they can still be risky and, as such, should be minimized or mitigated whenever possible. Liquid or solid spills, blocked walkways, loose railings, confined spaces, and electrical hazards are fall under this category, as do potential falls from elevated positions on catwalks, scaffolds, or ladders or working around heavy machinery.
For Chemical Hazards
Dealing with hazardous waste might also be the primary goal of your organization. In these situations, having the best personal protective equipment (PPE) is the easiest way to keep your employees safe. Chemical workplace hazards come in many different forms, such as gases, vapors, liquids, fumes, and particulates. Acids, silica dust particles, fiberglass or asbestos fibers or carbon monoxide and pesticides can also be toxic or poisonous as well.
For Biological Hazards
Biological hazards are common in research laboratories and educational settings such as schools and universities. Germs, whether viral or bacterial, can easily cause havoc when contained improperly or accidentally released. Blood, mold, fungi, and animal or human waste can also present biological hazards in the workplace.
For Physical Hazards
Physical workplace hazards are also frequently neglected. It doesn’t matter whether exposure includes contact or not – these incidents should be prevented. Radiation, heat or cold exposure, sunstroke, and excessively loud noises all fall under this category.
For Ergonomic Concerns
Don’t forget about the importance of ergonomics! Keeping ergonomic design in mind can make life easier for office workers who spent the vast majority of their days bound to the desks organizing paperwork or completing other tasks, which are integral to keeping your workplace running like a well-oiled machine. Seating arrangements and standing desks, along with encouraging breaks for lunch or a walk outside can all help make a difference, along with the positioning of electronic assets such as computer screens, copiers, and printers.
Prioritize Employee Safety with G&M Services
G&M Services is proud of our employees and the dedication they have for safety in the workplace. We reward our employees for displaying positive safety practices. We incorporate weekly and monthly discussions and meetings to ensure that all involved are aware of how to handle equipment and potential situations that could occur during a project.
G&M Services offers services in the way of concrete drilling and sawing, concrete scanning, and firestop. To get started with us, call today at 410-787-8828 or visit our contact page. Follow the official company page today on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
