Working in a comfortable office setting may appear to be safe and risk-free. Yes, offices do have a lower injury risk rate than other places such as construction sites. However, that doesn’t guarantee a safe workplace. 

Although these injury risk rates are lower, they still persist.

Here are the top 4 workplace safety hazards that you need to be careful about.

1.    Slips and Trips Hazards

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), slips and trips are the most prevalent occurrences and can lead to numerous injuries. Slips and trips are one of the top three leading causes of workplace injuries.

These statistics are evident in how dangerous and common slips and trips hazards are. While these minor accidents may seem harmless, they aren't. Minor trips and slips can cause intense damage to neck and spinal areas too. Such accidents can affect mobility and sometimes, even lead to disabilities.  

Therefore, it’s essential to be attentive at your workplace to avoid such hazards. When strolling through workplace floors, be cautious to avoid unattended spills and damp floors. Weather conditions such as ice, snow, rain, and other elements may make stairwell, entrance and exit points, parking lots, and other areas moist and slippery.

Keep your workplace floors dry to avoid any injuries caused by slips and trips. Furthermore, use caution signs to alert employees and personnel in the event of any spills. Stay away from muddled wires, which can cause you to trip and fall.

1.    Ergonomic Hazards

Certain workplaces require you to spend hours on a desk in front of screens such as laptops, computers, etc. In such circumstances, your muscles are strained by sitting in these and uncomfortable positions for prolonged hours. These strained positions can lead to Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). MSDs impact joints, tendons, and muscles too. 

Therefore, to reduce these ergonomic disasters that impact the body, make use of workplace ergonomics. Set up workstations in your office ergonomically to ensure the utmost comfort while working. 

2.    Workplace Harassment Hazards

Did you know workplace harassment is one of the most common psychosocial hazards at workplace? Workplace harassment takes a toll on the work environment, increasing negativity and toxicity.

Unfortunately, certain employees don’t report such incidents. Therefore, no action is taken.

The only way to prevent workplace harassment is by reporting it. If you’re a victim of workplace harassment, take your case forward.  

3.    Fire Hazards

Electrical equipment at the workplace increases the risk of possible fires. Sometimes offices often have cluttered electrical wires and switches and a minor spill near those wires could cause massive short circuits leading to damage.

Therefore, it’s essential to be prepared to avoid such disasters. Precaution can reduce these risks but a safety plan and fire training is essential too. Precautions aren’t enough to keep your workplace safe. You’ll need to strategize and lay out a fire plan to be prepared for such scenarios.

Workplace safety impacts your physical and mental health. Therefore, it’s essential to get health and safety training to ensure a safe workplace.

At Premier Proactive Education, we offer wide-ranging workplace health and safety training courses. We also offer mobile safety training for businesses unable to appear for physical training courses.

Furthermore, we offer health and safety training courses such as fire safety training, and workplace harassment training in Ontario, Canada.

Get in touch with us or call us at 905-767-SAFE (7233).