From broken bones to a head injury or the loss of life, workplace accidents often carry severe consequences. Furthermore, these accidents have many causes and it is important for employees to familiarize themselves with safety hazards that are present in the workplace. Workers should also recognize some of the risks that may not always receive as much attention in the press, such as repetitive strain injuries. In San Bernardino, and the rest of California, workers who identify various risks in the workplace are more likely to avoid an accident.
On a fact sheet published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a number of safety hazards that are present in the workplace are provided. Some common hazards include working on ladders or scaffolding, working around spills or objects that increase the likelihood of tripping (such as extension cords), frayed wiring and other electrical risks, tight spaces and threats related to machinery. In addition to these risks, some workers are not aware of other workplace hazards that are often dangerous, such as biological and chemical hazards. For example, workers should watch out for mold, contaminated blood and bodily fluids, bacteria and viruses. When it comes to chemical hazards, workers should keep an eye out for toxic gases and liquids, flammable materials and pesticides, to name a few.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are a number of occupations which are particularly dangerous. For example, those who drive semi trucks, move heavy materials and work as nursing aides or laborers face a greater risk of suffering a workplace injury when compared to workers in other occupations.
