This article was written by one of our amazing contributors! Content may include promotional links.
Many of us have been tasked with completing online health and safety courses, but sometimes these just don’t cut the mustard. It can be hard to know how ticking a few boxes online will translate into having to deal with an accident in real life. The best way to avoid accidents is to know how to prevent them. Being mindful of potential hazards, and how to actively avoid them could avoid you having to put those online questionnaires to the test.
Electrical hazards
Electrical hazards are perhaps some of the most frightening, as they can be instantly fatal. Shocking yourself on a live wire could put you immediately in the hospital. If your office has electrical problems or has an appliance that is on the blink, do not attempt to fix it yourself. While you may have learned how to fix a plug in high school, those skills sadly do not translate to handling live electrical wires. Electrical fires are also a real danger to consider. Do bear in mind that these require a specific fire extinguisher to put them out, so it’s never too late to read up on basic fire safety.
It’s also a good idea to be cautious of electrical cabling and leads in general. These can obstruct pathways and become a significant tripping hazard.
Tripping and falling
This seems like an obvious one, but physical hazards are an everyday reality of any workspace. However, some workplaces are particularly negligent when it comes to keeping their open spaces clean and tidy. If you do trip and fall as a result of your employer’s carelessness, then it could be worth your while to find an attorney in your local area, such as a workers compensation lawyer in NYC.
Poor housekeeping, in general, can lead to tripping and falling. Leaving junk and endless items in the way of fire exits and other important safety features could ultimately prove fatal for some employees in the case of an emergency. This is particularly pertinent in the case of warehouses. Items should be stacked sensibly, and they should not block the sprinkler system.
Ergonomic hazards
Ergonomic hazards can be simply rephrased as hazards that take their toll on the body. You can only physically handle so much in a day, and repetitive movements can hurt your back, cause Carpel Tunnel or leave you with other lasting ailments. It’s, therefore, important to be mindful of just how much lifting and physical activity you are having to complete in a day. If it is a significant amount, you will need to make sure you have good posture and that your movements aren’t too awkward or uncomfortable. Workplace hazards can cause a surprising amount of disruption to someone’s career if they they significantly injure the employee. It’s therefore important to be careful of these so you can raise any on-site issues with your employer. Failing to fix these could cause the business in question to be faced with a lawsuit, should anything go wrong.