Marcus RichardsNo matter where you work, safety is a critical issue that should be taken seriously. An injury can cause significant harm to your mental and physical well-being, not to mention the impact it can have on your finances.
Although most employers take precautions, slip-ups and miscommunications can occur. You must be aware of potential hazards that may arise so that you can protect yourself from harm.
In this article, we are going to discuss some of the red flags you should watch out for.
Lack of Safety Equipment
If you are exposed to loud and dangerous environments, it’s important that you have access to the correct equipment. Things such as safety headwear, glasses, protective clothing, ear plugs, etc, can significantly reduce injury when used correctly.
If your place of employment doesn’t provide you with these, you must speak up. They are one of the most essential parts of work health and safety and you should be able to access them when required.
Poor Housekeeping
A cluttered workplace with overflowing bins, spills, and poor organization reflects a lack of safety awareness. Such an environment can quickly lead to slips, trips, and falls – not to mention stress.
If steps aren’t taken to tidy up the area, you may need to reassess whether or not the job is right for you. The last thing you want is to end up with an injury that puts you out of work.
Hazardous Chemicals
Chemicals in the workplace should be handled with extreme care. They must be disposed of correctly, labeled in the right way, and proper ventilation systems should be installed throughout working/storage areas.
If these steps aren’t taken you should discuss your concerns. You will need to reach out to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration if your company is not taking these precautions seriously. It can even be a matter of public safety.
Insufficient Lighting
It’s hard to effectively perform job duties when you are working in poor lighting conditions. So, ensure you can see what is going on and what you are doing at all times.
This is especially critical for places such as a factory or warehouse where there may not be a large number of windows. Your employer might need to think about updating their lighting system as an extra step to prevent accidents.
Bullying and Harassment
Alongside physical injuries, employees should always feel safe and respected while on the job. If you notice any bullying and harassment, report it immediately to your superior. Remember, you should feel free to ask questions and raise concerns.
Toxic work culture is terrible for your mental well-being and even causes problems for companies. It can increase turnover and has a major impact on reputation and productivity.
Inadequate Safety Training
It is the employer’s responsibility to provide proper safety training to all employees. Without this, staff members might not be aware of the potential hazards of their job.
Poor training or lack of it can lead to many accidents. These can be everything from minor injuries such as scratches to life-threatening issues such as chemical exposure, fires, and falls.
Faulty Equipment
Like many of the hazards on this list, equipment that is faulty or in poor condition can cause many issues. They may not work well which decreases productivity, or an individual might find themselves in harm’s way if they malfunction while in use.
These issues should be reported as soon as possible, and companies should conduct equipment maintenance and quality checks regularly. The sooner an issue is identified the less likely it will lead to an injury.
Poor Emergency Planning
Accidents and emergencies can happen at any time, but if there is no plan in place it can be chaotic and disastrous. Your workplace should have policies and procedures which outline what to do if a fire or lockdown occurs in detail.
On top of this, they should schedule regular drills for employees. These practices will ensure that everyone is aware of their roles if something unexpected does occur.
Final Words
As you can see from the above, safety and health should be a top priority in any workplace. By being aware of these red flags and warning signs you can report them accordingly and reduce the risk of harm.
Remember, you are entitled to a safe and healthy work environment. While you might be uncertain about raising your concerns, it can help create a better workplace for both yourself and your fellow employees.
