Forgotten Workplace Safety Risks That Are Easy to Overlook

One of the first steps in securing the safety of a workplace is being aware of all of the hazards and risks that exist. However, some workplace hazards are easy to overlook and forget about. Just because something is a minor risk or isn’t perceived as a risk doesn’t mean that it can’t cause harm to employees. To make sure your business doesn’t miss something, we wanted to go over some of the most overlooked workplace hazards.

Spills and Tripping Hazards

The percentage of workplace accidents caused by simple slips and falls is astounding. Unfortunately, most of these accidents are completely preventable. It’s all about taking simple measures to reduce the likelihood of employees tripping and falling, which sometimes get overlooked compared to more serious and obvious hazards. It can be as simple as always cleaning up clutter in walkways or picking up spills as soon as they happen. This can also be done by encouraging employees to wear slip-resistant footwear.

Employee Fatigue

This is a hazard that gets overlooked because it’s not always easy to spot. But it’s not always difficult to recognize that tired workers are prone to make more mistakes. Those mistakes can sometimes lead to careless but preventable accidents. The simple solution is to let employees know that they shouldn’t work when they’re overly tired. Encourage them to take the day off if they are tired or distracted. It can also be helpful to give employees frequent breaks so that they can get a little time to rest and reset themselves during their shift.

Lack of Training

This is perhaps the most dangerous hazard that gets overlooked. Safety training forms the foundation of a safe work environment. It’s all about making sure employees have the right information regarding how to perform their jobs safely. They need to know what to do, what equipment to use, and how to use that equipment. It’s also beneficial for employees to receive frequent training, even if that training just reiterates what they’ve already learned. Some companies only provide safety training when employees are first hired, but making training a regular activity can make sure that workers are always prepared to do their job safely.

Ergonomics

Ergonomic concerns often get overlooked because they don’t always present an immediate safety risk. But repetitive motions, excessive lifting, and other strenuous tasks can often cause long-term health concerns. Employees aren’t always educated about these risks or taught how to avoid such issues. Doing stretches, taking regular breaks, or switching up their duties can all ease the ergonomic hazards in a workplace.

Employee Mental Health

While things are surely getting better in this area, psychological health should still be looked at as an overlooked hazard in the workplace. It doesn’t matter the industry, workplace stress should be a constant concern that employers should look for and take seriously. It’s still far more common than most people recognize for employees to deal with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. These problems can impact them personally and also have an adverse impact on their job performance and their personal life. It’s up to both employers and employees to be aware of the signs of mental health struggles so that they can be addressed as soon as possible.

How to Keep Your Bases Covered

The best way any company can cover all of its bases against all obvious and overlooked hazards is to have safety management software. For example, EHS Insight offers safety solutions that help to track and monitor every aspect of workplace health and safety. It’s the best way to make sure that all workplace hazards are accounted for and being mitigated as much as possible.

If your business strives to be the best it can be when it comes to workplace health and safety, get in touch with us because we want to help.