Workplace Hazards: Recognizing and Mitigating Risks

6/18/2019 (Permalink)

To minimize the risk of workplace disasters, be sure your employees are well-trained and properly equipped to handle hazardous tasks and materials.

June is the National Safety Council's National Safety Month. With that in mind, here are some of the most common types of workplace hazards and tips for recognizing and mitigating your risk for injuries and other disruptions to your business.

Physical Hazards

Simply put, these are unsafe working conditions that can lead to injury. For example, a power cord running through a high traffic area could lead to trips and falls. Spills, machinery with sharp or fast moving parts, loose flooring and unstable ladders can all lead to injured workers or customers if not properly addressed.

Some physical hazards are also less obvious, such as loud noise or extreme temperatures. Be sure your employees are fully trained and properly equipped if their work involves such potential safety risks.

Chemical and Biological Hazards

Your employees can be exposed to any number of toxic substances through the course of their work. From common cleaners and solvents, to paint fumes to flammable materials such as gasoline or propane, a business often must use a number of different chemicals as part of their normal business operations. Be sure all such hazardous chemicals are both properly labeled and stored and learn how to recognize the signs of chemical exposure, such as skin irritation, breathing problems, headaches and dizziness.

Biological hazards include substances such as mold, bacteria and fungi, animal and human waste, blood and other bodily fluids and even insect bites and stings. Proper training in the handling of hazardous materials is essential, as are well-equipped first aid kits and emergency response procedures.

Some biological hazards can also create serious damage to your property. You can rely on SERVPRO of North Hollywood to properly clean up biohazard and sewage, trauma and crime scene damage, as well as other specialized commercial cleaning services, to help get your business back up and running quickly following such as disaster.

Ergonomic and Work Organization Hazards

Any job task that requires repetitive or awkward movement or heavy lifting can strain the body and lead to muscular or skeletal injuries. These hazards are often overlooked because they tend to develop over time rather than instantly. As with any other type of hazard, be sure your employees are trained to recognize the signs of ergonomic stress and are properly educated and equipped to manage the risks.

Work organization hazards relate to the working environment, including interpersonal relationships, sexual harassment, stress from overwork or deadlines and even workplace violence. To reduce work organization hazards, it is important to foster an atmosphere where employees are empowered to come forward and bring to management's attention anything that may be causing a toxic working environment.

Successful companies recognize the importance of workplace safety and strive to create a healthy environment for employees and customers alike. And SERVPRO of North Hollywood is here to help, 24/7, to handle  hazardous situations. Call us any time, day or night, for a fast response to commercial water damage, fire damage or mold disasters.