If you work in a company or corporation, you must know what are the occupational risks that staff may suffer in their work environment. In this way, the necessary prevention measures can be put in place to avoid or minimize accidents or any other problem in the work environment.
What are occupational hazards and what are their characteristics?
When we talk about occupational hazards, we refer to those situations or events that harm the safety of employees, as well as productivity and the development of the usual tasks of a company.
In this way, we have to clarify that every occupational risk includes a negative effect in the workplace, and therefore, hinders the safety, good performance of the company and the service it offers, in addition to significantly damaging the brand or image corporate
What are the most frequent occupational hazards?
It does not matter in which sector your company operates, as each one of them entails different difficulties and responsibilities and, consequently, certain occupational risks, whether more or less serious.
For this reason, we are going to number the most common workplace accidents that can harm your business and your employees.
Electric risk
Lighting, computers, tools and other equipment necessary for the performance of common tasks, require electricity consumption for their operation.
The problem arises when the electrical installations are in poor condition or these devices show some kind of deterioration. These situations can cause a short circuit causing material or personal damage.
Fire and explosion
Explosion and fire hazards can be related to poor quality cables or poor plug connection, but can also be caused by other causes. This is where it is necessary to practice an escape protocol and know the basic principles of detection to prevent the spread of fire immediately.
Noise pollution
Noise can also become an occupational hazard. For example, in the case that the normal activities of the company involve loud sounds as in the case of discos, or that the machines they use cause loud and annoying sounds.
In any of the possible cases, this can lead to serious hearing problems or psychological disorders.
Falls, bumps and trips
Another of the most common occupational hazards is unfortunate falls or bumps in the workplace. A mistake, stumbling on something that was not where it had to be can cause injuries or damage to products, materials or machinery.
Disorder is usually one of the usual causes of this type of incident, therefore, it is a good organization and cleaning is essential in these circumstances.
Extreme temperatures
Most companies neglect the air conditioning of the spaces where the normal activities of the company take place. Too low or too high a temperature can trigger certain risks and health problems for employees, such as colds, headaches or stress.
Exposure to computer screens
More and more tasks to be carried out with computers and other electronic devices make your employees spend hours in front of the screen. This can have health consequences, such as headaches or vision problems.
To avoid this type of risk, it is best to take breaks to clear your mind and take your eyes off the screen.
Psychological problems
When we talk about occupational hazards, we generally think of physical injuries such as injuries or fractures. However, these problems go much further, since mental health can also be affected by inappropriate conditions in the workplace. The most common psychological disorders are depression, stress, or anxiety.
Although these can be due to different causes, to avoid this type of problem it is advisable to maintain good communication and relationship between colleagues and company managers.
Vulnerability of confidential information
Currently, it is quite common for companies to store their confidential information in a virtual database. The problem arises when computer security measures are not applied to prevent cyberattacks or loss of important data for the company.
Viruses, bacterial infections and other organic agents
Another occupational hazard can be the presence of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other organic agents in the work spaces that can negatively affect the health of your workers. For this reason, hygiene and cleanliness are so important to avoid infection or the spread of disease, as in the case of coronavirus.
Did you suffer from any mishap at work, and did it affect your health?
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* Information obtained from: ctmaconsultores.com
