Workplace injuries and illnesses cost employers millions of dollars annually. They also cost employees their health and thousands of dollars in lost income. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were just under 5,500 workplace fatalities, to go along with 2.8 million injuries and illnesses in the workplace. Both of these statistics are up from 2021, which means it's time for employers to take workplace safety even more seriously than before.
Unfortunately, taking care of your employees in the workplace is often easier said than done. There are numerous health hazards and potential dangers, regardless of what type of business you're involved in. Protecting your workers will take time, money, and careful planning, but is ultimately possible when you know what to watch out for.
If you're wondering what some of the most common workplace safety hazards are and how to guard against them, you've come to the right place. This article will outline the top things that could put your employees at risk in 2024, as well as how to ensure they don't get the better of you.
7 Most Common Hazards and Concerns in the Workplace
Workplace hazards will vary from industry to industry. However, here are some of the most common to watch out for.
Indoor Air Quality
Even though you can't see, touch, or feel it, poor indoor air quality is one of the biggest risks to workplace safety. Indoor air quality refers to how clean or polluted the air inside your workplace is. Whether you know it or not, there's a chance that your air is full of toxins, mold spores, bacteria, pollen, and other contaminants you don't want getting into your lungs.
The best way to ensure optimal indoor air quality is by regularly changing out the filters on your HVAC system. You should also install air purifiers as needed if your indoor air quality is still poor. Breathing in impure air over long periods of time can result in chronic health conditions and irritate existing lung problems.
Fire and Flame Safety
As usual, fire and flame safety is at the top of the list in terms of health hazards to watch out for. While some job settings are more prone to fire hazards than others, no one is exempt. Fire hazards can include anything from smoking in the workplace to forgetting about burning candles to outdated electrical wiring.
Fall Hazards
Whether it's because of slipping, tripping, or not having handrails in the right place, there are a wide range of fall hazards in any workplace. Slips are common in cold climates during winter when sidewalks and parking lots get icy. To avoid these potential catastrophes, it's important to invest in salting and plowing services during the winter months.
In addition to icy and snowy conditions, falls can happen in the workplace for other reasons. Here are a few things to watch out for if you want to minimize slips, trips, and falls in the workplace.
- Never run extension cords along walking or open areas.
- Keep working areas free of debris and clutter.
- Always post Wet Floor signs throughout the building when there are spills or an area is recently mopped.
- Make sure all rugs and mats are flat and aren't a tripping hazard.
- Invest in slip-proof rugs, mats, and flooring.
Ladder Safety
If you're involved in the construction industry in any way, ladders present one of the biggest health risks in the business. Ladder safety is an often neglected necessity because blue-collar workers want to do whatever it takes to get the job done as quickly as possible. Therefore, rather than retrieve a taller ladder or move the ladder a few feet over, most construction, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC workers will push the safety limits.
In many instances, this leads to falling off the ladder, which almost always results in an injury of some sort. While some injuries are more serious than others, they can all result in costly hospital bills and missed time at work. Therefore, ladder safety should be at the top of your to-do list if you're in charge of workplace safety.
Eye Risks
No matter what line of work you're involved in, the eyes are always in danger. It's true of software and tech workers who sit in front of computer screens all day, and it's true of welders and carpenters who are near sparks and flying debris. Whether it's blue light and constant strain or flying hazards, the eyes are prone to a wide range of risks, many of which can be mitigated.
Outdated Equipment and Machinery
It's also possible that it's high time to upgrade your equipment and machinery, but you haven't gotten around to it yet. In addition to slowing down your workers, outdated equipment and machinery can also present a safety hazard. This is especially true with large equipment, such as forklifts, power drills, ski lifts, and others.
Shoulder and Elbow Fatigue
While hands-on blue-collar workers run the risk of hurting their elbows, backs, and shoulders while doing physical labor, writers and tech workers are also at risk. Whether it's overuse from swinging a hammer, lifting too much weight, or constant pressure on your ulnar nerve, the shoulders, back, and elbows are very susceptible to injury. As with eye risks, however, each of these potential hazards can be avoided with proper training and equipment.
How to Avoid Risks in the Workplace
In addition to these workplace hazards, there are plenty of others, such as toxic fumes, chemical spills, asbestos, loud noises, and more. While not all hazards can be avoided, their risk of causing injury can always be mitigated using the following tips and tricks.
- Hire someone whose only job is assessing and mitigating health and safety hazards.
- Invest in the right personal protective equipment for your workers.
- Implement a health program incentivizing your employees to work out, eat right, and do other things benefiting their health
- Have regular safety meetings where you review OSHA health and safety standards
- Post signs anywhere that there are chemicals or health hazards
- Put signs up when there are wet floors and clean up spills as quickly as possible
- Penalize workers who clutter the workspace or put tripping hazards in walkways
As we said before, you can't completely prevent injuries and illnesses in the workplace, but you can severely mitigate their risk.