5 Common Health & Safety Risks To Include In Your Assessment
When conducting health & safety risk assessment, it’s essential to identify and evaluate potenial hazards that could pose risks to employees, visitors, and stakeholders within a workplace or operational environment. Explore here common health and safety risks that should be included in your assessment:
Physical hazards:
Physical hazards encompass a wide range of risks that can cause harm through direct contact or exposure. These include slips, trips, and falls due to uneven surfaces, wet floors, or cluttered walkways. Other physical hazards include ergonomic risks from improper workstation setups leading to musculoskeletal disorders, as well as machinery and equipment hazards such as moving parts, pinch points, or electrical hazards.
Chemical hazards:
Chemical hazards involve exposure to harmful substances that can cause acute or chronic health effects. This includes toxic chemicals, solvents, cleaning agents, and hazardous materials used or stored in the workplace. Risks include inhalation of fumes or vapors, skin contact with corrosive substances, and ingestion of toxic materials. Proper handling, storage, labeling, and personal protective equipment (PPE) use are essential for mitigating chemical hazards.
Biological hazards:
Biological hazards stem from exposure to biological agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. These hazards are prevalent in healthcare settings, laboratories, and environments where there is strength for exposure to bodily fluids, contaminated materials, or infectious diseases. Risks include transmission of illnesses, infections, or allergic reactions. Implementing infection control measures, vaccination programs, and proper waste disposal protocols are important for managing biological hazards.
Psychosocial hazards:
Psychosocial hazards relate to factors within the work environment that may impact mental health and wellbeing. These include workplace stress, excessive workloads, bullying, harassment, and lack of organizational support. Psychosocial hazards can lead to anxiety, depression, burnout, and reduced productivity among employees. Conducting employee surveys, promoting work-life balance, providing mental health support services, and nurturing a positive work culture are essential for addressing psychosocial risks.
Fire and electrical hazards:
Fire and electrical hazards pose significant risks to workplace safety if not properly managed. These include faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, improper use of electrical equipment, and flammable materials stored or used in the workplace. Risks include electrical shocks, burns, and fire outbreaks resulting in property damage, injuries, or fatalities. Implementing fire prevention measures, conducting regular inspections, maintaining firefighting equipment, and providing fire safety training are vital for mitigating fire and electrical hazards.
