Some industries present challenges to workplace safety. Employers shouldn’t take safety hazards lightly, as they can slow down productivity and potentially infuriate customers. For employers to address known safety hazards and help their employees succeed, they should know the three types of hazards that interfere with their workers’ well-being.
Physical Hazards
There are two main kinds of workplace hazards. Some physical hazards, such as drilling vibrations, can cause construction workers to suffer from back pain and potential injuries affecting their fingers and hands. These injuries can lessen grip and dexterity, contributing to carpal tunnel syndrome caused by the use of tools that are held up for long periods. A safety instructor Erie CO should teach workers to handle these tools in short, rather than long, intervals.
Biological Hazards
Employers should also be aware of biological hazards. The use of septic tools can transmit bloodborne diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV. Workers in food processing industries are suspect to lower tract respiratory irritation from grain dusts and molds. Exposure to organic dusts, especially asbestos, should also raise concern. Chemical hazards are closely related and can pose similar kinds of health risks. Metal workers who specialize in welding, such as jewelers and boilermakers, are exposed to carbon monoxide and other hazardous fumes.
Ergonomic Hazards
Some employers emphasize good posture, as they’re aware of injuries caused by sore muscles. Chairs that aren’t properly adjusted may seem like a minor inconvenience, but their lack of accommodation to employee height can cause stress to the musculoskeletal system. Employees who have to lift frequently and exert too much force are suspect to serious injuries. As a solution, employers can invest in equipment that reduces the need to lift while hastening productivity.
State law usually defines the scope and extent of workplace investigations. Businesses shouldn’t keep workers safe solely to pass the investigations, but should invest in cost-effective ways to keep employees productive by eliminating hazards that are removable.