It is the responsibility of business owners and directors to ensure the safety of their employees as well as any visitors or members of the general public. You must follow regulations, but also examine your specific risks and take the necessary steps to minimize them.
You may be held legally responsible for an accident if you do not meet your obligations in terms of health and safety and someone gets injured. The injured party can make a claim for compensation in such cases. As the responsible party, you or your insurance company will be liable. A workplace accident can affect your productivity and cause other problems for your business. Here are the most common workplace hazards and how to prevent them *.
The most common workplace dangers
It is important to carry out a specific risk assessment for your workplace in order to identify any risks. However, it will help you to understand the most common accidents. The following are 10 common workplace hazards and ways employers attempt to prevent or reduce them.
1. Physical Hazards
There will always be physical hazards at work, regardless of the work you do or the industry in which you work. It could be electrical equipment or machinery. A wet floor is also a potential hazard. The most common non-fatal workplace accidents are slips, trips, and falls. These can be made worse by items left on walkways or uneven surfaces. These risks can be clearly identified by businesses, for example with signs indicating a wet floor. You can reduce the likelihood of an accident by implementing regular safety audits, risk assessments, maintaining a clean working environment, keeping machinery in good condition, and using non-slipmats.
2. Fire
Fires can be caused by faulty wiring, flammable material, blocked exits and access points, as well as by faulty wiring. Businesses must adhere to strict fire safety rules. Failure to comply can result in serious injuries. Fire safety is a priority for all businesses. They must conduct regular fire drills and train their employees about fire safety. Make sure that you are familiar with all the legal requirements a company must meet. This can reduce the risk of fires and injuries.
3. Electrical faults
Faulty wiring and exposed cords are also a cause of electric shocks, and can be a trip-hazard. Portable appliance testing may be required to ensure that electrical appliances are safe. Any faults must also be addressed immediately. Regular inspections are recommended, and if necessary, a reporting system should be implemented to bring electrical problems to the attention of authorities.
4. Environmental hazards
Accidents can be caused by a variety of environmental hazards, depending on your job. Poor lighting can, for instance, increase the chance of slipping, tripping and falling, or cause eye strain or injury. In the same way, excessive noise and poor ventilation can cause illness or injury without proper personal protective equipment. You must ensure adequate ventilation if you are working in an area with hazardous materials.
5. Substances
It is much more common than one might think that exposure to harmful chemicals or substances will cause injury. It’s not just solvents, asbestos, and other high-risk chemicals that can cause injury. Many cleaning agents are also at risk. Provide proper ventilation and PPE such as gloves and masks. Follow labelling and handling protocol and train your employees to safely handle hazardous materials.
6. Mechanical Hazards
Serious injuries can be caused by moving machinery parts, sharp edges or equipment malfunctions. The employees must be taught how to handle any equipment they use and safety procedures must also be followed. This training is not sufficient – it must be monitored to ensure that the procedures are followed. You may need to check that any machine guards are installed correctly and work properly.
7. Training
Employees who are not trained on their specific roles may be more prone to injury. If workers are injured due to incorrect lifting techniques, or when they carry heavy objects, the business could be held liable for their injuries if they have not received adequate training.
8. Ergonomic hazards
Workstation problems can cause strains and repetitive strain injuries. Workers who are forced to repeat the same task without taking breaks can suffer from repetitive strain injuries. This can lead to compensation claims. Allow workers to take regular breaks, and if needed, adjust the workstations according to each employee’s requirements. You could provide adjustable desks and chairs or allow them to adjust the monitor height.
9. Stress
Workers can seek compensation for harassment, bullying, and stress. These incidents are less common than injuries. If the incident has been reported, but the behavior was not addressed or if employees have been given too much work to do, the employer may be held responsible. For this to not happen, you should foster a positive workplace culture, implement policies against bullying and harassment, offer mental health support and encourage open communication about stress and workload.
10. Vehicles
Accidents involving moving objects are common, and often involve collisions between vehicles. They are often found in warehouses, construction sites, and other places where vehicles and pedestrians are likely to cross paths. Pedestrian paths should be marked clearly and as far from the vehicle routes as is possible.
Even minor injuries may lead to compensation claims and negatively affect productivity. Preventative measures should be tailored to the specifics of each working environment. To prevent accidents and incidents at work, reduce your legal liability, and maintain a safe workplace, safety policies, regular training and risk assessments are essential.
*Guide provided by Switalskis
