What are the 6 types of hazards in the workplace
Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss
- Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at 844SeeMike.
- Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
- Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.
Due to the nature of the job, construction workers face multiple hazards on the job site on a daily basis. Construction is one of the most dangerous careers in America, with one in ten construction workers injured each year while working on the roads, infrastructure, and buildings across the country, and over 1,000 construction workers suffering a fatality while on the job.
Because of the risks that face their employees, it is important that employers recognize these potential hazards and take steps to eliminate them and prevent serious-and often deadly- accidents.
Hazards in the workplace typically fall under one of six (6) types, which include:
- Safety hazards – Safety is an important part of all jobs, but is especially important in the construction, mining, excavation, and demolition industries, especially when working with heavy machinery, at extreme heights, and in trenches. Safety hazards can include electrical hazards, slips, trips, falls, operating heavy machinery, and trench collapses, to name a few.
- Biological hazards – Biological hazards include exposure to dangerous substances, chemicals, and diseases while working either inside or outside. This can include exposure to mold, asbestos, and lead.
- Physical hazards – Workers exposed to loud noise, extreme weather, or who work in harmful environments can suffer serious injuries.
- Ergonomic hazards – Ergonomic hazards occur when the work being performed puts a strain on the employees’ body. Manual roles, such as heavy lifting, repetitive movements, vibrations, and extended sitting may not appear dangerous at first, but damage can appear over time.
- Chemical hazards – Chemical hazards occur when an employee is exposed to dangerous liquids, solvents, or flammable gasses. Exposure can cause serious illness, breathing problems, skin irritation, and even death.
- Work organization hazards – More than hazards, these are stressors that can have short and long-term effects by triggering the stress levels of employees. They can include workplace violence, a heavy workload, lack of respect and flexibility, lack of support, retaliation, and sexual harassment.
It is of the utmost importance that employers take the health and safety of their employees seriously and do their part to prevent injuries and accidents due to workplace hazards.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to negligence on the job site or a defective product, the lawyers at 844 See Mike can review your claim and determine if there were unsafe working conditions, potential OSHA violations, and other hazards that may have existed at the time of your accident. They will also determine who may be liable for your injuries and damages and what compensation you may be entitled to.
Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, and your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 1,000 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 135 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com, or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.
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