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Top 5 Workplace Safety Hazards

Almost half of employees report that they don’t feel comfortable reporting potentially unsafe behaviors to peers or supervisors. How does your safety culture measure up? We’ve listed the top five workplace safety hazards that auditors see over and over again.

1. Poor Housekeeping
Clutter, spills, and over-stacked loads are notorious for causing unnecessary accidents. Making a point to clean up as you go and having a regular cleaning list will help stay on top of this type of hazard.

2. Confined Spaces
Tragedies can occur when employers do not carry out a risk assessment or issue a permit. For example, if a confined space’s hazardous atmosphere isn’t assessed properly and a fire breaks out, it’s employer negligence.

3. Chemicals
It’s common to use several different chemicals on job sites. Over time, hundreds of dangerous chemicals could be sitting on a storage shelf that no one is using. Chemicals such as ether can degrade into explosive peroxide.
 

4. Lockout/Tagout
Even with procedures in place, many employers still fail to implement the procedures. The best way to ensure lockout/tagout procedures are being followed is to discourage complacency and properly train employees on how to use equipment.

5. Forklifts

The leading cause of forklift-related injuries are caused by workers feeling pressure to complete projects quickly. Efficiency is a huge part of business, but not at the risk of your employee’s safety.

While these are only a few of the workplace safety hazards, it’s important to focus on how to prepare and prevent them in the first place. Contact EHS Management to develop training programs, personal protective equipment, and resources to help keep your employees safe on the job.