Certain workplace risks, including operating heavy machinery and working at heights, are well-known and usually addressed by your company’s safety protocols. On the other hand, there are a lot of less well-known risks at work that could endanger the health and safety of your staff. Here are ten of the most frequently disregarded safety hazards, based on information from OSHA, the Bureau of Labour Statistics, and other sources:
- Anxiety
Workers in all industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and energy, are impacted by stress. Employees that have long days, a heavier workload, financial strains, and unstable employment all contribute to their exhaustion and frazzle.
Stress not only reduces output but also increases the risk of physical and mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and even suicide among employees. In fact, workplace stress accounts for almost 10% of healthcare claims.
- Diversions
Distraction at work is another risk. An employee’s capacity to remain aware of their surroundings and foresee potential risks is essential to their safety. However, there are greater demands than ever before on today’s workers’ attention. Texting and listening to music on headphones are two of these distractions that frequently cause workplace mishaps. - Inadequate ergonomics
The science of creating a work environment that is optimised for employees is known as ergonomics. chores such as moving heavy objects, reaching up, doing repeated chores, or even sitting at a computer in poor lighting can cause fatigue and musculoskeletal injury if suitable ergonomics are not followed. Actually, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, around one-third of worker accident and illness cases are related to musculoskeletal problems. - Trips, falls, and slips
One of the main causes of unintentional workplace deaths is falls. The danger of deadly accidents is highest for construction workers, although falls can occur anywhere, including offices. Furthermore, while the majority of safety experts are aware of the precautions that need to be taken to prevent falls from heights, tripping risks and falls from the same level receive less attention. - Sound pollution and loss of hearing
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that over 22 million American workers are subjected to dangerous noise levels while at work. Nine million more people are at risk of hearing loss and imbalance due to exposure to ototoxic chemicals. It is simple to ignore the long-term harm that noise and chemicals do on hearing. - Flu and colds
The need for employees to stay at home when unwell and the possibility of illnesses spreading at work have become more widely known as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. However, when it’s “just a cold,” employees might be hesitant to miss work. However, even if a worker’s COVID-19 test results are negative, the CDC advises them to stay at home if they have a fever or respiratory symptoms. - Operating alone
Many industries—from truck drivers to night shift industrial workers, home health care nurses, and even business travelers—have employees who work alone. There are many difficulties in ensuring the safety of lone workers.
There is a greater chance of injury when working alone, particularly when handling hazardous duties. There is no one around to call for assistance or administer emergency medical care in the event that a lone worker gets hurt. Furthermore, it’s impossible to predict when someone else may discover the issue if no other employees are present.
- Harassment and bullying
Harassment and bullying are frequently viewed as HR problems. However, they may seriously affect the physical and mental well-being of employees. Studies indicate that those who experience harassment at work may have anxiety, sadness, or possibly develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the worst-case scenarios, it has also been connected to an increase in drug use and suicide. - Contract labourers
The Bureau of Labour Statistics estimates that 2.8 million workers, or roughly 10% of the American workforce, are classified as temporary employees. These people undertake hazardous tasks far too frequently without receiving enough training on safety procedures or risks unique to their line of work. The likelihood of an injury at work is higher for temporary workers than for permanent employees, according to an examination of millions of workers’ compensation claims. - Safety mechanisms
A crucial component of any safety programme is gathering and evaluating safety data from frontline employees, such as incident reports and near miss observations. However, a lot of businesses lack efficient reporting and problem-solving solutions. Safety leaders lose out on important information that may help avert accidents and injuries when these systems aren’t in place.