Improving workplace safety means reducing or eliminating hazards in the area. In order to do that, however, you need to really understand what a hazard is. A hazard is generally defined as a source of risk, but that doesn’t always make it easy to identify them in your own facility. Looking at some examples of hazards can help you to get a better idea of where they may exist in your facility.
One of the most common types of hazards is a fall hazard. Examples of this include things like working from a ladder, working on high areas of construction sites, or working near ledges. Hazardous materials are also common hazards in the workplace. These can include things like materials that are flammable, toxic materials, and even materials that have sharp edges. The hazard that these types of materials represent include getting burned or an explosion occurring, adverse health effects, and cuts or lacerations.
Most machines in the workplace will also represent hazards. If you have a machine with a moving arm, for example, the hazard would be that the arm could come in contact with a person (or hit an object that could hurt a person) and cause a serious injury.
Some less commonly thought of hazards can include things like the behavior of employees. If they are not following proper safety policies, their actions could cause serious injury to those in the area, which is a major hazard.
Taking the time to identify all hazards in your workplace will help you to develop a proper safety standard for the area.
Similar Questions
- Will exposure to hazards in the workplace cause injury illness or other adverse health effects?
- What is an adverse health effect?
- What are common hazards at a construction site?
- What is a hazard?
- What are hazard controls?
- What are examples of administrative controls?
- Why is it important to prevent slips, trips, and falls?
- Is there a way to fall safely?
- What is FOD?
