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Workplace Safety: Identifying Workplace Hazards And Safety Considerations

By | Lauren Cordell | Content Specialist

It is essential to make sure that the places where your employees’ work are safe. Keep in mind that their well-being should be in utmost condition. Also, different types of accidents happen in various fields of the industry. Yet, the goal of liberating your employees from workplace accidents should still be the primary goal.

Moreover, workplace accidents can directly affect you and your company. It will result in more costs, such as fines, health care costs, and other compensations. Accidents will also undeniably damage your reputation.

As much as possible, it would be best to prevent the accidents from happening. First, you better identify the likely cause of accidents or why they usually occur. To help you, here is a list of industries and the workplace hazards that typically happen on site.

Construction Industry

Construction industries specialized in building, constructing, designing, and maintenance of infrastructure. They are responsible for building and creating whatever is designed on a drawing sheet. Construction industries build anything from buildings, bridges to roads. This industry is divided into three categories: general construction, heavy construction, and specialized construction.

Regardless of what construction category a worker is working in, the industry has common accidents resulting from negligence. To prevent accidents from happening, reviews of safety policies and putting up safety signs is a must. With that said, you can get the best signs on the Safety Signs Australia website.

Additionally, slipping, tripping, and falling can be extremely dangerous in construction sites because hazardous equipment and other materials might lie anywhere. Uneven terrains and ongoing construction projects usually cause these accidents.

Energy Industry

Energy businesses are related to producing or supplying energy. They are involved in the exploration and development of different energy sources, such as oil or gas drillings, reserves, refining, and integration of power utility companies.

The energy industry is also responsible for providing fuel to power the rest of the economy. This industry is also subdivided into two categories, renewable energy industry, and non-renewable industry. Also, secondary energy sources like electricity are part of the energy industry.

Concerning this, most work hazards in this industry are the most fatal. The first one is electrocution.  Electrocution is a severe injury that is caused by electric shock. Unfortunate workers also experience burns and can suffer from fall injuries if working from highly elevated structures such as poles and power lines.

The best solution would be implementing a hierarchy of controls to reduce risk. The rules are elimination, substitution, engineering controls, awareness, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. This hierarchy of controls is considered the model for safe work practices clarified by the National Fire Protection Agency.

Manufacturing Industry

The manufacturing industry is involved in producing items and foods with the use of labor, machines, chemicals, and tools. They use raw materials and components in products that the market can sell. Moreover, there are a lot of industries under manufacturing businesses.

In simple terms, goods that can be used for public consumption are made by the manufacturing industry. So, the hazards which put the workers at risk varies. However, if it affects the well-being of the workers, safety considerations are still needed to be improved.

It is suggested to identify the hazard better and then assess the risk before sending your workers. Then, as much as possible, reduce or eliminate the threat. After that, review and evaluate the control strategies for future issues.

Another workplace hazard is the confined spaces and poorly ventilated areas. Since most manufacturing workplaces are surrounded by large equipment and many tools, accidents frequently happen in these settings. Also, hazardous substances and other contaminants might be inhaled into your lungs and might cause complications. So, it is advised to improve your ventilation and working areas to avoid accidents like these.

Mining Industry

Mining industries are companies that extract minerals and other materials from the surface of the earth. These extracted materials are used for commercial purposes and jewelry making. Other activities of the mining industries include metals production, investing, and trading.

The mining industry requires the aid of machinery and tools. The workers can be at risk of machinery and tools accidents. Usually, accidents related to these are caused by faulty equipment and lack of adequate workers’ knowledge.

One of the possible results of these accidents is amputations or lacerations, or crush injuries. The best solution for this is always to carry out risk assessments and ensure the regular maintenance of your tools and pieces of machinery.

Miners are also exposed to gases, chemicals, dust, and extreme temperatures. These factors can result in silicosis, pneumoconiosis, black lung disease, and occupational hearing loss. To prevent this, everyone is encouraged to wear the right type of masks and protective gear when going or working in a mine.

Food Industry

Last on this list is the food industry responsible for processing, preparing, converting, preserving, and packaging foods. The raw materials are generally from animals or vegetables produced from agriculture, breeding, and fishing. Food industries have grown in the past few years because of the demand for processed and prepacked foods in society. 

One of the most challenging workplace problems is the microbiological hazards. Though there are microorganisms that can be good for the human body, a lot of microorganisms can cause foodborne illnesses.

In addition to this, chemical hazards can also occur during preparation, harvesting, storage, and service. One instance of chemical exposure is when pesticides or cleaning products for your areas contact food. Without proper cleaning and preparation, your food will surely be contaminated.

The best way to prevent these from happening is to improve the management of materials. Make sure that the areas are always clean and the workers are constantly sanitized. Though this does not directly affect the workers, their families might buy and ingest the products, resulting in more expenses. When working with foods, always be attentive and check the cooking and preparation area.


Accidents and mishaps can happen to any workplace. It is the right of your employees to always work in a safe workplace where they can do their tasks without any worries. It is the responsibility of an employer to ensure their safety and well-being.

To fulfill a safe workplace, management should put up signs, enforce safety policies, and regularly discuss with their employees the safety protocols of their workplace. With these measures in place, working becomes much safer and protects both employee and employer from harm.

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