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5 Surprising Workplace Hazards And Risks

However hard you try to put various measures in place, employees can still be at risk of uncontrollable circumstances and random occurrences. The trick however, is to prepare for any eventuality. Covering all bases, this blog post will take a look at 5 of the most prominent yet surprising workplace hazards and risks, from the commonplace, to the rare but no less significant. Regardless of whether you’re based in a crowded office, busy industrial warehouse or retail setting, there’s something to learn for everyone within this handy guide. Allow the Euro Environmental team to detail the importance of air quality testing, noise exposure and much, much more, so you can curate that ideal workplace environment in 2024.

Electronic Risks

A potential danger in any workplace where technology is utilised, electricity can kill or severely injure individuals in the worst cases, causing damage to property. You can take simple precautions when working with or near electricity and electrical equipment to significantly reduce the risk of injury to you, your workers or others around you. Sometimes unavoidable, electric shocks can also lead to other types of injury, for example by causing a fall when working from height, or when accidents take place, such as spillages of water around wiring.

Dust And Particles

Most common within construction, and other roles which involve the crushing or cutting of fragile materials, short-term introduction to dust will lead to mostly minor respiratory problems, though long-term exposure can have severe, sometimes life-threatening effects. Those with asthma, for instance, can have major allergic reactions to certain types of dust particles. At Euro Environmental, our consultants are here to help you - and can develop and implement monitoring strategies to identify if maximum exposure limits are being exceeded within your premises.

Chemical Hazards

Among the most worrying of workplace risks, exposure to some of the chemicals commonly used in workplaces can lead to a variety of short and long-term health defects. These can include poisoning, skin rashes and long-lasting disorders. Able to nip issues in the bud before the health of employees comes into question, we have the in-house expertise to carry out assessments of a vast range of occupational exposure risks such as fumes, bio hazards and vapours.

Psychological Damage

Often overlooked in favour of more visible issues, psychological damage is certainly an issue within the modern workplace. A psychosocial hazard is anything that could harm someone’s mental health, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and sleep disorders. Often linked to the culture of a workplace, a civil and respectful work setting is often related to greater job satisfaction, more positive attitudes, improved morale and of course, better mental wellbeing.

Harmful Noise Exposure

Certainly not to be overlooked, loud noises can create physical and psychological stress, reduce productivity, interfere with communication and concentration, and even directly contribute to other workplace accidents and injuries. The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 were introduced to protect workers from such problems at work and were recently updated in July 2019. Ensure you’re up to date with such legal requirements and work with us.

At Euro Environmental, we’re well aware that although some of our clients know what is required to be compliant, others require a helping hand from leading occupational hygiene consultants. Whether you work in the industrial sector, an office building or anywhere in between - our service is comprehensive, and our team is approachable regardless of your circumstances. Contact us today, for an overview of the ways we can ensure a safer working space.