Identifying Workplace Safety Hazards and How to Prevent Them

Stephan Heyneke

In the workplace, safety is everyone’s responsibility, from employees on the ground to management in the office. For Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) Representatives, creating a safer work environment means actively identifying and managing workplace hazards. For business owners, understanding these hazards is essential to staying compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act. 

Let’s explore different hazards, how to identify and recognise potential hazards, and which steps we can take to reduce and prevent risks in the workplace.

What is a Workplace Hazard?

A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm, including physical injuries, mental health issues, and environmental damage. Importantly, hazards are different from risks. While a hazard is the potential for harm, a risk is the likelihood of that harm occurring. Understanding both is key to creating a safe work environment.

Examples of Common Workplace Hazards: 

Workplace hazards span a range of types, from obvious physical threats to less visible mental health stressors. Here are the top ten hazards to look out for.

1. Physical hazards: these include any physical elements that could cause injury, such as machinery, equipment, and cluttered walkways. Falls from heights, cuts from machinery, and even slips, trips, and falls are all associated with physical hazards. Regular maintenance, employee training, and proper storage can reduce physical hazards significantly.
2. Chemical hazards: chemical hazards involve harmful substances that can cause injuries like burns or illnesses from inhaling fumes. Industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and cleaning often expose workers to various chemicals. Safety protocols, ventilation, and personal protective equipment (PPE) are essential in these environments to manage chemical exposure.
3. Biological hazards: biological hazards are living organisms or substances that can cause infections or illnesses. Examples include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mould found in industries such as healthcare and food processing. Maintaining strict hygiene standards and providing protective gear can help limit exposure to biological hazards.
4. Ergonomic hazards: ergonomic hazards result from workplace design that doesn’t align with employee needs, such as poorly designed workstations or repetitive tasks. These hazards can lead to musculoskeletal injuries, which can have long-term effects. Ergonomic assessments and adjustments, like adjustable desks and chairs, can mitigate this risk.
5. Environmental hazards: environmental hazards are external conditions that can affect safety, such as temperature extremes or inadequate lighting. This can lead to health issues ranging from dehydration in hot settings to vision strain in poorly lit areas. Environmental control measures, like climate control and adequate lighting, are effective in creating a safe working environment.
6. Safety hazards: safety hazards include potential dangers such as fire risks, electrical malfunctions, or obstructed emergency exits. These can lead to severe injuries if not properly managed. Regular safety inspections, fire drills, and equipment checks are essential to managing these hazards.
7. Slips, trips, and falls hazards: this category involves situations where employees might slip on wet floors, trip over cables, or fall due to inadequate guardrails. Ensuring clean, dry floors and proper signage can prevent these incidents.
8. Noise hazards: high noise levels in settings such as factories or construction sites can damage hearing over time. Providing ear protection, installing sound barriers, and scheduling regular hearing checks are ways to mitigate noise-related risks.
9. Stress and mental health hazards: workplaces can create psychological stress, which may lead to burnout, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Clear communication, mental health support services, and reasonable workloads can reduce stress-related hazards.
10. Radiation hazards: radiation hazards occur in environments with exposure to sources like x-rays or radioactive materials, especially in healthcare and research. Regular monitoring, protective barriers, and training are necessary to prevent overexposure.

Identifying Hazards in the Workplace

Identifying hazards involves a few practical steps that should be followed systematically:

1. Conduct regular inspections: regular workplace inspections are a key method to identify potential hazards. During these inspections, focus on areas like equipment, tools, and safety measures. Observe the work environment and assess equipment conditions.
2. Encourage employee reporting: employees are often the first to notice unsafe conditions. Encourage a culture where they feel comfortable reporting hazards without fear of retribution.
3. Perform a job safety analysis (JSA): a JSA helps to identify hazards associated with specific tasks. Breaking down each task into steps can reveal potential risks that might otherwise go unnoticed.
4. Review incident reports: past incidents provide valuable insight into recurring or hidden hazards. Analysing incident reports can help identify and address hazards before they lead to more significant accidents.
5. Use safety checklists: checklists tailored to your industry can guide you in assessing potential risks in the workplace. These lists should cover equipment, procedures, and employee behaviour for a thorough review.
6. Engage in hazard mapping: hazard mapping visually identifies hazard hotspots within the workplace. It helps to document and communicate risks effectively, especially in larger workplaces.

Eliminating and Minimising Workplace Hazards

Once hazards have been identified, the next step is to eliminate or minimise them. Here are high-level strategies:

1. Eliminate the hazard at the source: whenever possible, eliminate the hazard entirely. This could involve replacing dangerous equipment, switching to less harmful chemicals, or redesigning tasks to remove risk factors.
2. Engineering controls: implement engineering controls, like ventilation systems for fumes or barriers to separate workers from moving machinery. These controls physically reduce exposure to hazards.
3. Administrative controls: policies and procedures can control employee behaviour to reduce risks. This could include rotating staff to prevent repetitive strain or limiting the time spent in high-noise areas.
4. Provide personal protective equipment (PPE): when other controls can’t fully eliminate risks, PPE becomes essential. Examples include gloves, helmets, and safety glasses to shield employees from remaining hazards.
5. Implement training and awareness programs: regular training helps employees stay informed about potential hazards and how to avoid them. Ongoing awareness programmes reinforce safety practices and keep everyone vigilant.

How to Report a Hazard in the Workplace

For effective hazard management, reporting processes should be straightforward and accessible to all employees. Here’s a basic reporting process that SHE Reps and business owners can adopt.

1. Create a reporting system: a clear, accessible reporting system encourages employees to report hazards quickly. Options might include an online platform, paper forms, or direct reporting to supervisors.
2. Ensure confidentiality: employees should feel safe and assured that their reports are confidential, especially if the hazard involves another colleague or a sensitive area.
3. Investigate and address the hazard promptly: once a hazard is reported, act quickly. Investigate the hazard, determine its severity, and implement corrective measures as soon as possible.
4. Document the process: recording each step of the reporting and resolution process helps track trends in workplace hazards, ensuring compliance and supporting future safety strategies.
5. Provide feedback to the reporter: employees appreciate knowing that their reports lead to action. Close the reporting loop by letting the reporting employee know what steps were taken to address the hazard.

Prioritising workplace safety means understanding and addressing hazards. SHE Reps and business owners play a critical role in creating safe environments, not only for compliance but for the wellbeing of everyone involved. Through proactive hazard identification and management, we can work towards a safer, healthier workplace.

To learn more about workplace safety hazards, including how to identify and prevent them, contact us at DDI.