What is Workplace Safety?
Workplace safety refers
to the prevention of hazards, accidents, and other negative outcomes in the
workplace. It is a collection of policies, behaviors, and precautions designed
to reduce hazards, accidents, and other types of harm in the workplace.
Workplace safety frequently has a direct impact
on the productivity and well-being of your workforce, which in turn has a
direct impact on the quality of output produced by your company. As a result,
employers must work hard to create a safe environment with an acceptable level
of risk for all employees.
Workplace Hazards Examples
and How to Prevent Them
1. 1. Electrical Accidents
Electrical accidents in
the workplace are very common, and they are caused by unprotected exposure to
high voltage electrical outlets. Electrical hazards kill over 300 people and
injure 4,000 others in American workplaces each year, according to the
Electrical Safety Foundation International.
Electrical burns, fires,
and shocks are the three most common types of electrical accidents. Electrical
shocks occur when your body comes into contact with electricity, causing a
current to flow through your body and, in severe cases, leading to heart or
respiratory failure.
Electrical burns are
frequently the result of electrical shocks, and they can be internal or
external. Electrical fires occur when flammable materials in the workplace,
such as cotton and wood shavings, come into contact with uninsulated wiring or
broken circuits.
Workers are directly at
risk of electrical accidents when they must use faulty extension cords or work
in environments littered with exposed power lines. In many cases, such exposure
can result in minor to major injuries, particularly burns, cardiac arrest, and
even death (electrocution).
Other scenarios that can
result in electrical accidents include the following:
•
Workplace electrical outlets that
are hidden.
• Unsafe
equipment or installation
• A lack of
personal protective equipment.
• Inadequate
control over work activities
•
Uninsulated electrical wiring
• Lack of
training
• Failure to
isolate circuits before working.
Here
are a few things to do if an electrical accident occurs in the workplace,
particularly if there are shocks or burns.
•
Avoid putting your hands on the victim.
•
Do not pick at the victim's blisters or burnt flesh.
•
Do not apply ointment to the burns.
Workplace Electrical
Hazard Prevention Tips
Employers
and employees must take extra precautions to practice workplace safety habits
in order to protect their employees and prevent electrical shock accidents.
Here are some specific precautions you can take:
•
Always inspect the work area ahead of time for uninsulated wires, broken cords,
and
exposed electrical circuits.
•
Never use faulty electrical equipment at any time.
Personal protective equipment must be worn by
workers.
•
Before working on electrical equipment, isolate it.
•
Establish a prompt reporting and documentation system for electrical shock
incidents in the
workplace.
2.
Dangerous Chemical Exposure
Toxic
chemicals in the workplace can also jeopardize employee safety, especially if
they are exposed to these substances without adequate precaution. Chemical
exposure can cause a variety of side effects, ranging from cancer to organ
failure to death.
Employees
may be exposed to a variety of toxic chemicals while performing daily tasks at
work. Typically, these chemicals are classified based on the type of harm they
can cause the body, as shown below:
Corrosives:
are chemicals that, like hydrochloric acid, can cause irreversible bodily harm.
Irritants:
Chemical irritants can cause reversible inflammation of the contact skin area.
Strong solvents are examples of irritant chemicals.
Teratogens:
When employees are exposed to these chemicals, they can cause birth defects.
Thalidomide is a common teratogen in the workplace.
Sensitizers:
When exposed to a sensitizer, such as an isocyanate, allergic reactions can
occur.
Mutagens: Exposure to this type
of chemical can result in negative gene mutation and chromosome damage. Benzene
is a good example of this chemical.
Carcinogens:
are chemicals that can cause malignant growth in body cells, potentially
leading to cancer. Asbestos is a well-known carcinogen.
Employees
may be exposed to these chemicals via inhalation, direct or indirect skin
contact, ingestion, or injection. Unlike other workplace accidents, the effects
of chemical exposure are typically gradual and long-term, with far-reaching consequences.
Workplace
Safety Tips to Prevent Exposure to Dangerous Chemicals
•
Wear personal protective equipment when handling chemicals at work.
•
Create a work roaster to limit individual employee exposure to chemicals.
•
Use employee safety review form to track daily employee safety.
3.
Machinery & Tools Hazard
Employees
who work in industries that require the use of machinery and tools, such as
construction or transportation, are vulnerable to accidents involving machinery
and tools. According to an Occupational Safety and Health Administration
report, 12 of the 874 construction industry deaths in 2014 were caused by
machinery and tool accidents.
Many
of these accidents are caused by the use of faulty equipment, a lack of
adequate knowledge, product defects, or a failure to follow prescribed safety
precautions. Common workplace machinery and tool accidents include:
•
A burn caused by a faulty factory heater.
•
Slips and falls from a faulty ladder or shaky scaffolding.
•
Cuts caused by broken tools or sharp tool edges
•
Injuries caused by the incorrect tool.
•
Hearing loss caused by working in a factory without earmuffs.
•
Lacerations or amputations caused by the use of equipment lacking safety
features.
•
Crush injuries as a result of machine entanglement.
Workers
who are injured by machinery or tools have the right to compensation for
medical bills and other related expenses. If the accident was caused by a
faulty product, the employee may be able to file a product liability claim
against the equipment's manufacturer (s).
Workplaces
Safety Tips to Prevent Machine and Tool Accidents
•
Organizations must conduct risk assessments on a regular basis.
•
Tools and machinery should be serviced on a regular basis and replaced as needed.
•
To prevent accidents, use the incident report form to quickly file reports of
any machinery and tools.
•
In the workplace, appropriate protective equipment must be worn.
•
Employees must be trained on how to use machinery and tools, and safety guards
must be installed on workplace equipment.
4.
Workplace Harassment
Workplace
harassment is a widespread issue that can lead to an unhealthy working
environment, decreased productivity, and toxic behaviors. It includes any
actions that repeatedly threaten, abuse, mock, or discriminate against an
employee(s) and can have a negative impact on job performance.
Many
times, such negative actions are directed at a specific demographic; as a
result, employees may face abuse and discrimination because of their social
status, gender, race, or physical appearance. Workplace harassment, also known
as workplace aggression, can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including
bullying, psychological abuse, and sexual assault.
Harassing
behaviors and actions in the workplace include body-shaming, offensive jokes
and slurs such as racist comments, intimidation, and physical assaults. The
harasser does not have to be your boss or employer; he or she could be a
coworker or someone with other ties to the organization, such as a client.
As
a victim of workplace harassment, the first thing you may want to do is stand
up for yourself and clearly communicate your disapproval of such behavior to
your harasser. Also, utilize appropriate complaint channels to report cases of
workplace harassment for redress.
How
to Prevent Workplace Harassment
•
Organizations must exercise extreme caution when developing and implementing
anti-harassment policies.
•
Inform employees about workplace harassment.
•
For effective workplace harassment monitoring and reporting, use the workplace
harassment form.
5.
Fire Accidents
A
fire accident in the workplace is a very serious risk that can result in loss
of life and property. According to the US Bureau of Statistics, nearly 200 workers
die each year as a result of workplace fires and explosions, with over 5,000
others suffering minor to major injuries.
Recognizing
potential causes is the first step in preventing a fire outbreak in any
organization. Here is a list of some of the things to keep an eye out for.
Faulty Electrical Equipment: Electrical fires are one of the most common types of workplace
fires. An electrical fire can be unexpected, quickly spread, difficult to
control, and extremely destructive.
Clutter: Untidy work environments
can also lead to fires. Workplaces that are littered with flammable materials
and are poorly ventilated are ripe for fires.
Combustible Materials: Companies that use combustible materials in their manufacturing
must take extra precautions when handling them. Failure to do so increases the
likelihood of fires breaking out.
Negligence:
When employees fail to follow safety precautions, it can lead to fire
accidents.
How
to Prevent Workplace Fire Accidents
•
Increase the number of fire exits in the workplace. The size and composition of
your building should be complemented by fire exits.
•
Install fire alarms and extinguishers.
•
Avoid storing flammable materials near ignition sources such as circuits and
electrical outlets.
•
Hold mandatory fire drills on a regular basis.
•
Use the incident report form to notify your employer about fire hazards as soon
as possible.
•
Avoid overloading power circuits.
6.
Workplace Theft
When
an employee illegally obtains cash or non-cash property from his or her
employer, this is referred to as workplace theft. Employees who engage in
workplace theft frequently see it as a way to settle scores with their
employers or to retaliate against their employers for low pay or other
unfavorable working conditions.
In
some cases, employees believe that engaging in workplace theft will have no
impact on the organization, particularly if the action involves obtaining
non-cash property such as office equipment, stationery, or office supplies. In
other words, these individuals regard the organization as an anonymous entity
that will suffer no significant consequences as a result of their
"minor" actions.
You
may have been a victim of one or more of the following types of workplace theft
as an employer:
Billing: An employee may
inflate the prices of goods and services or present forged invoices to receive
payment.
Cash larceny:
occurs when an employee diverts incoming payments for goods and services after
the transaction has been recorded in the company's books.
Payroll: Some employees may
request compensation for work that was not completed, such as payments for
false overtime.
Cash Theft:
One of the most common types of workplace theft is cash theft. It entails
illegally obtaining cash held at work, such as stealing money from the
company's safe.
Expense Reimbursement: Some employees may inflate the actual costs incurred when
applying for reimbursement in order to claim more money.
How
to Prevent Workplace Theft
•
Report any instances of theft in your organization using the incident report
form.
•
Develop and put in place workplace anti-theft policies.
•
Hold anti-theft training sessions for employees.
•
Limit the amount of cash on hand at work.
•
Before making payments, always double-check receipts and invoices.
7.
Workers Existing Health Conditions
Workers
with underlying health conditions are more vulnerable to certain types of
workplace accidents, such as chemical exposure accidents. Employers must take
care to accurately document employees' medical histories and conduct medical
examinations prior to hiring.
Employers
must also provide conducive and safe working environments for employees, as
poor working conditions can aggravate pre-existing health conditions. For
example, an asthmatic worker may suffer an attack if forced to work in an
environment with inadequate ventilation.
Workers
with pre-existing health conditions should not face discrimination, despite the
fact that this is rarely the case. Pre-existing health conditions frequently affect
the remuneration that employees in this demographic may earn.
Employees
with underlying illnesses, however, should always notify their employers in
order to receive the best care possible while performing various tasks at work.
Furthermore, such individuals must insist on additional workplace safety
measures.
How
to Protect Workers with Underlying Illnesses in the Workplace
•
Implement flexible working hours for employees who have pre-existing health
conditions, and limit their exposure to workplace hazards such as toxic
chemicals.
•
Follow additional workplace safety precautions.
•
Track and record any employee safety complaints using the employee complaint
form.
How to Manage Workplace Accidents
- Appropriate Orientation/Training
Employees must be properly informed
about workplace safety precautions and trained on how to keep the workplace
safe at all times. As an employer, make mandatory safety workshops and training
on various aspects of workplace safety available to all stakeholders in your
organization.
Workplace safety training should
focus on familiarizing employees with various workplace hazards and how to
identify, report, and prevent them. Employees should receive proper training
before using any workplace equipment, and they should also follow other safety
precautions that can help to prevent accidents.
- Establish a safety policy that all employees must
adhere to.
In accordance with Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, your organization must
develop and implement a mandatory workplace safety policy for all employees.
Every employee must become acquainted with and follow these safety guidelines
at all times.
Detail procedures for dealing with
emergency situations such as fires and workplace violence in your workplace
safety policy. Your organization's safety policy should be reviewed on a
regular basis, and each employee should have a copy for future reference.
- Incident Report
Create an efficient system for
filing and processing workplace accident reports. Employees should make it a
point to report any accidents in the workplace to management as soon as
possible so that proper investigation and other necessary actions can be taken.
You can use paper forms and verbal
reporting channels to set up a manual system for incident reports, or you can
use the incident report form to automate the process. You can easily document
any injuries, disasters, or accidents in the workplace using the incident
report form.
- Standards and Monitoring Safety Team
Organizations must establish
in-house regulatory teams to ensure adherence to these standard practices in
addition to developing workplace safety policies. This group can conduct
regular safety surveys using the employee survey form to collect feedback on
the effectiveness of safety precautions and other pertinent information.
Summary
Employees have the right to be safe
while performing various tasks in any organization. As a result, every employer
must prioritize workplace safety and employee protection in order to promote
the well-being of all employees in the organization and others.
Everyone is responsible for ensuring
workplace safety because a breach of safety has serious consequences. As a
result, employees must receive proper training on workplace safety measures and
tips, and safety monitoring systems must be set up and monitored as needed.
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