How to Recognize Hazards
The first step in protecting yourself at work is being able to recognize hazards and the conditions you are working in. Before starting a new job, stop and think about it. Try to recognize situations that might be dangerous. If you are not sure, ask someone and pay attention to the health and safety information available.
Questions you can ask yourself
- Is any of the machinery broken?
- Is there a guard missing?
- Is there something I could trip on?
- Do I need protective equipment?
- Are there warning labels and signs?
- Is there any moving equipment I could get caught in?
Questions you can ask yourself
- Is any of the machinery broken?
- Is there a guard missing?
- Is there something I could trip on?
- Do I need protective equipment?
- Are there warning labels and signs?
- Is there any moving equipment I could get caught in?
Reporting Hazards
Once hazards are identified/recognized, they must be reported immediately in order prevent any danger. Each individual in the workplace has the responsibility for making sure that their work environment remains healthy and safe to work in. Although some hazards cause immediate danger and other hazards take longer to identify, both must be fixed. Once a worker is aware of a hazard, it should be reported at once to the employer, supervisor or health and safety representative. Once the worker's job of reporting the hazard is done, it is up to the employer, supervisor, or health and safety representative to assess and eliminate the hazard.
Taking Action
- Eliminate the hazard
- Substitute alternate materials, processes or equipment
- Limit exposure, prevent access or reduce energy available that may harm workers
- Increase awareness of hazards through warning systems, alarms and signs
- Use controls such as training and procedures
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE)
Hazard Control
Controlling exposure to a particular hazard is dependent on what the hazard is specifically. Overall, methods of hazard control are placed in 4 categories.
- ENGINEERING CONTROLS - methods of designing or modifying plants, equipment and processes in order to reduce workers' exposure to work hazards. These methods are preferred because they work independently of the workers.
- WORK AND HYGIENE PRACTICES - are on the job activities that reduce the possibility or potential of exposure
- ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS - are things like job rotation schedules, work-rest cycles and timing of maintenance procedures which can be implemented to reduce the time a worker in exposed to hazards.
- PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - includes items such as respirators, safety gear, hearing protectors, and protective clothing. Although this type of hazard control can reduce a worker's hazard exposure, it must be used properly in order to be effective.