Workplace Safety 101: The 10 Hazards You Can’t Afford to Ignore
Discover the top 10 workplace safety hazards across industries and learn practical tips to recognize, avoid, and prevent them to keep your work environment safe.
Jul 8
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Erin Ford
As someone who has tripped while standing on a flat surface, recognizing safety hazards —and avoiding the ones that I can’t prevent— are a huge part of my everyday work life. But the truth is, even the most sure-footed professionals face serious safety risks in any work environment.
So, whether you’re clumsy like me, or move like a ninja, hazards do not discriminate. That’s why it’s important to be aware of common workplace hazards and how to prevent them.
So, whether you’re clumsy like me, or move like a ninja, hazards do not discriminate. That’s why it’s important to be aware of common workplace hazards and how to prevent them.
Based on industry safety data, here are 10 workplace safety hazards you should be on the lookout for:
1. Slips, Trips, and Falls
They may sound like cartoon gags, but they’re one of the top causes of workplace injuries. Wet floors, messy walkways, and dark corners are usually to blame.
Prevention Tip: Break out those “wet floor” signs, keep things well-lit, and stay on top of regular cleanups.
Prevention Tip: Break out those “wet floor” signs, keep things well-lit, and stay on top of regular cleanups.
2. Poor Ergonomics
Hunching over desks or wrestling with equipment all day can leave your body seriously unhappy.
Prevention Tip: Provide ergonomic equipment and educate employees on proper posture and movement.
Prevention Tip: Provide ergonomic equipment and educate employees on proper posture and movement.
3. Electrical Hazards
Loose wires and overloaded outlets aren’t just unsightly—they’re shocking in the worst way.
Prevention Tip: Leave the electrical stuff to the pros, do regular checks, and don’t ignore frayed cords or weird smells.
Prevention Tip: Leave the electrical stuff to the pros, do regular checks, and don’t ignore frayed cords or weird smells.
4. Hazardous Materials
Whether it’s cleaning supplies or chemicals, these aren’t things you want to guess your way through.
Prevention Tip: Train your team on how to handle, label, and store hazardous materials safely—and what to do if things go sideways.
Prevention Tip: Train your team on how to handle, label, and store hazardous materials safely—and what to do if things go sideways.
5. Struck-By Objects
A surprise from above isn’t just annoying—it can be dangerous. Unsecured tools or wobbly stacks are common culprits.
Prevention Tip: Use proper shelving, install guardrails, and don’t skimp on those hard hats.
Prevention Tip: Use proper shelving, install guardrails, and don’t skimp on those hard hats.
6. Vehicle and Equipment Accidents
Heavy machinery + little (or no) training = a recipe for disaster.
Prevention Tip: Make sure only trained pros operate machines, stick to lockout/tagout (LOTO) rules, and keep equipment in tip-top shape.
Prevention Tip: Make sure only trained pros operate machines, stick to lockout/tagout (LOTO) rules, and keep equipment in tip-top shape.
7. Fire and Explosions
It only takes one spark and a few bad storage choices to turn a workplace into a fire drill—literally.
Prevention Tip: Keep extinguishers handy, exits clear, and hold regular fire drills to stay ready for anything.
Prevention Tip: Keep extinguishers handy, exits clear, and hold regular fire drills to stay ready for anything.
8. Workplace Violence
Tensions can flare anywhere, and sadly, some situations turn physical.
Prevention Tip: Build a culture of respect, train managers to spot warning signs, and enforce a firm zero-tolerance policy.
Prevention Tip: Build a culture of respect, train managers to spot warning signs, and enforce a firm zero-tolerance policy.
9. Fatigue
Running on fumes can lead to slow reflexes and sloppy mistakes—especially for drivers and night shift workers.
Prevention Tip: Encourage breaks, manage shift lengths, and support wellness to help everyone stay sharp.
Prevention Tip: Encourage breaks, manage shift lengths, and support wellness to help everyone stay sharp.
10. Lack of Training
Even the best safety gear won’t help if people don’t know how to use it.
Prevention Tip: Make training a regular thing—not just a one-and-done—and tailor it to what each job actually requires.
Prevention Tip: Make training a regular thing—not just a one-and-done—and tailor it to what each job actually requires.
Top Tips to Protect Yourself and Prevent Hazards
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Don’t use equipment or materials that you have not been trained on or are certified to use.
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Always wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for your task.
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Pay attention to your surroundings when moving through a worksite. It is just as easy for you to run into a person or machine as it is for them to run into you.
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Keep work areas and walkways clean and free of any trip hazards.
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Always inspect your equipment, PPE, and materials before working with them.
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Do not use any equipment or PPE that are damaged or are not in working order.
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Immediately contact your supervisor or safety officer if you find broken equipment, dangerous environments, or major safety hazards.
Our Suggestions
When it comes to safety, you can never be too prepared. The
#1 way to prevent accidents is through good training.
Maintaining safety certifications is a great way to stand out to supervisors and potential employers and prove that you’ve been trained. We offer many safety courses and certifications that comply with OSHA, DOT, and EPA regulations.
All of our courses are completely online and self-paced, so that you can stay safe on a schedule that works for your life, and they’re all available here:
Maintaining safety certifications is a great way to stand out to supervisors and potential employers and prove that you’ve been trained. We offer many safety courses and certifications that comply with OSHA, DOT, and EPA regulations.
All of our courses are completely online and self-paced, so that you can stay safe on a schedule that works for your life, and they’re all available here:
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