Common hazards at work
Life is full of hazards; just crossing the street is an everyday hazard. However, not knowing the hazards to avoid in your workplace may well leave you badly injured. Here’s an overview of what to look out for.
What is a hazard?
Every workplace has hazards, that is, something that has the potential to cause harm to a worker.
Types of workplace hazards?
There are four main types.
Physical hazards are the easiest to spot but also the easiest to ignore and usually include unsafe working conditions that may cause injury, illness and death. One such a hazard is faulty electrical wiring and frayed cords. Another is unguarded or moving machinery parts that may be touched accidentally. Being constantly exposed to adverse climate conditions (heat, cold, sunlight or rain) as well as ultraviolet light can be detrimental to a worker’s health as can constant exposure to noise. Of course working at great depths as in mines or at heights on ladders, scaffolds or roofs presents its own set of hazards.
Biological hazards are present where people work with animals and their byproducts such as meat and blood, where people work with other people that may be ill or infected with a prior condition or where people work with infectious plant materials. Day care workers, doctors and nurses and those who work in laboratories where they come into contact with people’s blood and body fluids, viruses and bacteria are at increased risk of these hazards. Veterinary staff face some of the same hazards as well as being bit or developing illnesses associated with animal and bird droppings.
Ergonomic hazards are the hardest to spot because they put strain on your body over a period of time and are only noticed once you start experiencing physical symptoms such as wrist, back and shoulder aches and pains or when your eyesight starts deteriorating. The hazards that cause these symptoms are usually connected to your workstation layout and lighting and the chair you are sitting in. Any funny, unnatural posture that you need to adopt to do your work, or repetitive movement or strain lifting or moving stuff is a hazard that may injure you.
Chemical hazards are present when a worker is exposed to any chemical preparation in solid, liquid or gas form. Even some common solutions can cause illness, skin irritation or breathing problems. Chemicals to be especially wary of include liquids like cleaning products, paints, acids, solvents and especially chemicals in unlabelled containers. Vapours and fumes from welding, gases like acetylene, propane, carbon monoxide and helium and flammable materials like gasoline, solvents and explosive chemicals are also considered dangerous. All hazardous or controlled products and chemicals must carry labels that clearly identify the product and provide hazard information about it. Chemical substances should be locked away and access to them should be restricted. Using a fume cupboard for certain chemicals can isolate the hazard from the worker.
What the worker can do
Report any safety hazard that you have identified to your superior immediately and also warn co-workers. Regular workplace inspections prevent harmful hazards from causing injuries. Make sure your company has the necessary safety and risk management strategies in place; it is forced by legislation to do so. Reducing the risk of workplace hazards is an important step towards maintaining workplace safety.
Sources
What is a hazard? Retrieved from: http://www.worksmartontario.gov.on.ca/scripts/default.asp?contentID=2-6-1&mcategory=health
Workplace hazards. Retrieved from: http://www.worksafe.nt.gov.au/Bulletins/HealthAndSafetyTopics/Workplace%20Hazards/Forms/AllItems.aspx
Workplace hazards. Retrieved from: http://www.takeonestep.org/pages/yoursafety/safenotsorry/workplacehazards.aspx