Workplace Safety Topics
When it comes to safety on the job, workplace safety topics range from general safety issues to topics geared towards specific types of industry.
Workplace Safety: Common and Specific Areas of Concern
Regardless of the industry, employee safety is a major concern. Companies have a responsibility to their employees to provide them with a work environment that is as safe as possible. Employees should be trained in safety procedures and made aware of any changes that impact their health and safety on the job or increase their risk of being exposed to workplace hazards or danger.
Each type of business or industry has its own unique set of workplace dangers. For example, a fork lift operator in a factory warehouse, a butcher in a meat packing plant and a construction worker all face different health and safety issues on the job. Yet there are also common concerns that pertain to each of the employees.
General Workplace Safety Topics
There are many general safety topics that are relevant to most types of workplace environments.
Safety Topics Concerning Personal Health
The spread of illness and disease, personal hygiene and other health related issues are topics that are areas of concern for everyone. Employees must be educated in the importance of using the proper hand washing technique as a way of stopping the spread of germs and preventing disease.
Workers employed in fields that come in contact with chemicals, irritants or other harmful agents need to know the importance of proper skin care and the use of barrier creams and protective gloves.
Slips and Falls
One of the most common causes of work related injuries are slips and falls. This type of injury can happen anywhere. Several important steps to prevent this kind of accident from happening:
- Keeping floors clean
- Keeping floors dry
- Making sure there are not any obstructions where employees walk
- Educating employees on workplace awareness regarding slips and falls including:
- Becoming aware of possible dangers from water spills, dust from machines and spots of grease or oil
- If a hazardous situation is noticed, clean it up or place signs or cones in the area
- Being aware of changes floor surfaces
- Slowing down when walking in a potentially hazardous area
- Wearing appropriate footwear
Workplace Violence
The threat of personal danger from workplace violence has become a serious concern. In some instances, environmental conditions have been associated with the violent attacks and assaults. Companies are addressing the issues surrounding this type of violence in the workplace. In addition, recommendations and guidelines have been developed by the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, known as OSHA.
Safety Topics for Specific Work Environments and Industries
Topics regarding workplace safety that is relevant to specific industries and places of employment number in the hundreds. Several examples of these types of safety and health topics include:
- Asbestos in construction
- Aerial platform safety
- Commercial fishing safety
- Construction site hygiene
- Dairy worker safety
- Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) safety
- Handling powder actuated tools (PATs) safely
- Repetitive motion injuries - preventing repetitive motion injuries
- Noise and hearing loss prevention
- Safe handling of flammable liquids
Workplace Safety Resources
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, known as the CDC, provides a comprehensive listing of more than 100 workplace safety and health articles relevant to specific jobs. Several examples include:
- Abrasive blasting
- Carbon monoxide hazards from small gas powered engines
- Correctional health care workers
- Ergonomic interventions in the building, repair, and dismantling of ships
- Hazardous drug exposures in healthcare
- Jockey safety and health in horse racing
- Office environment & worker safety & health
- The State Compensation Insurance Fund provides dozens of articles pertaining to health and safety concerns of specific work environments. The informative articles are in English or Spanish.
- Washington State Department of Labor and Industries provides an A-Z Safety and Health Topics list.
Holding employee meetings to discuss relevant workplace safety topics is an important aspect of providing workers with a safe work environment. .
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