Did you know that a worker died every 101 minutes in 2021? According to a report by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5,190 fatal and 2,607,900 non-fatal work injuries were recorded in 2021. While working in a climate-controlled and comfortable office is a dream of many employees, none of these factors mitigate the risks associated with workplace hazards. From slips and trips and malfunctioning electric wires to poor workstation ergonomics, excessive or insufficient lighting, noise, and random acts of violence, there are several workplace hazards that can cause injury.
Internationally known as the “Resort City,” Las Vegas is one of the biggest cities in the world, with plenty of great job opportunities for everyone. Unfortunately, workplace accidents are also increased in the area. Hire a Las Vegas workers' compensation attorney if you're hurt at work from a workplace hazard. Keep reading to learn about the six common workplace hazards that can lead to accidents.
1. Biological Hazards
If you are working in a research facility or hospital, chances are that your workplace produces waste that comprises disease-causing organisms. Exposure to fungi, mold, plants, bacteria, viruses, insect bites, animal and bird droppings, and bodily fluids can be lethal for human health. These biological hazards pose a risk of infection and can easily spread into the work facility via water and air.
Solution: Ensure that all the employees wear protective clothing and respiratory equipment. Also, train them to wash their hands to restrict the spread of infection.
2. Safety Hazards
“Safety hazard” is an umbrella term that covers all kinds of risks that create an unsafe working environment, leading to illness, injury, and death. It includes working in confined spaces or at a dangerous height, electrical hazards like improper wiring or missing ground pins, unguarded moving machinery, and anything that can lead to slips and trips.
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Solution: Maintain all electric installations, place signage to warn employees about wet surfaces, improve lighting, and provide a comfortable and spacious work environment.
3. Chemical Hazards
Exposure to chemical substances and hazardous environments led to 798 employee fatalities in 2021. The presence of chemicals in a workplace can cause skin irritation, illness, and breathing problems. These chemicals can be in the form of solid, liquid, or gas and include pesticides, flammable materials, gases like carbon monoxide, propane, acetylene, fumes, and vapors from exposure to solvents and welding, and standard cleaning products, acids, and pain.
Solution: Create rules and regulations to ensure employees wear rubber gloves, respirators, safety goggles, and chemical-resistant coveralls in hazardous environments.
4. Physical Hazards
Despite their name, physical hazards are the least obvious workplace hazards on the list. They are intangible environmental factors that harm the employees, including extreme weather, prolonged exposure to sunlight, radiation, and loud noise.
Solution: Provide employees with a safe and comfortable office space.
5. Workload Hazards
Also known as psychological hazards, workload hazards can lead to stress, burnout, and loss of focus, which can ultimately affect their health and productivity. Common causes of workload hazards are overtime, poor safety culture, unrealistic production goals, lack of job training, and unclear company policies.
Solution: Supervisors and managers should promote a positive and creative work culture that promotes equality and safety.
6. Ergonomic Hazards
Even though often neglected, jobs that require employees to sit for long hours or do heavy lifting can cause overtime. Compared to all kinds of workplace hazards, ergonomic hazards are the most difficult to spot as they cannot be immediately noticed. If not dealt with promptly, ergonomic hazards can lead to sore muscles and long-term musculoskeletal issues. Some ergonomic hazards include vibrations, repetitive motor skill use, bad posture, awkward movement, and uncomfortable seating and workstations.
Solution: Create customized workstations and rearrange the equipment to fit employee needs.
Wrapping It Up!
Employees are the building blocks of an organization, and so they have every right to stay safe in the office. Employers need to prioritize workplace hazard identification to assess potential risks in the workplace and do everything they can to eliminate them and promote the well-being of the staff. The best way to do this is to conduct workplace safety training workshops and train employees to navigate hazardous situations in the safest way possible. If an employer fails to do so, they can be charged with custodial and financial penalties, which can have a negative impact on the company’s reputation.
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