7 Surprising Workplace Safety Hazards You Might Not Know About

Sometimes, scenarios are the best way to really get an understanding out of a situation, right? So go ahead and picture this: it’s a regular Monday morning. Your workplace coffee machine is churning out liquid motivation, emails just keep coming in, and you’re trying to juggle a laptop, a binder, and that fifth cup of caffeine. Yes, most folks are guilty of this. Then, out of nowhere, your foot catches on a random bump in the floor, and you trip. Well, in a cartoon, this might be funny, but in reality, there’s a high chance that you might have gotten an injury, even worse, if the coffee was hot. So, that floor you tripped on, well, chances are that is actually a workplace safety hazards.

Yes, it’s one that could lead to broken bones, lawsuits, or even worse. But uneven floors are just the beginning. Some of the biggest dangers lurking in workplaces aren’t obvious, like heavy machinery or hazardous chemicals. Sometimes, it’s those small ones that seem harmless or “not a big deal.” But what exactly are these? Well, here’s exactly what you need to know.

Uneven Floors

Basically, the uneven floors are like the banana peels of the workplace, except they don’t need cartoon sound effects to cause chaos. Now, this is far more common than you might think; chances are, when you’re at a grocery store getting some food, you’ve probably dealt with it before (that’s why it can be hard using shopping carts). While sure, these don’t seem like a big deal; uneven flooring has a special talent for making people trip at the most inconvenient times.

So, just imagine a delivery driver hauling in a stack of boxes or an employee darting to catch a ringing phone. One little wobble in the floor, and bam, they’re down. Sure, you can slap a “caution” sign nearby, but this still isn’t going to be enough; a business can still get into some legal trouble. 

So, in order to save legal trouble, injuries, lack of productivity, and anything else businesses prefer to avoid, you may want to look into maybe getting some professionals to redo the flooring, such as putting epoxy flooring down. It’s pretty seamless, and it levels the floor out, meaning there are no small bumps, dips, or any hazards that could make a person trip.

Large Floor Cracks

Is uneven floors the only flooring problem in the workplace? No, large cracks can be an issue, too. It can cause trips depending on how big the crack is and snags in the cartwheel, but believe it or not, this can also ruin a good pair of shoes (specifically heels). So yes, you could get an injury and even a workers’ comp claim due to this.

Usually, you can expect factories and industrial workplaces to see this issue often, thanks to heavy machinery and constant wear and tear. However, offices and retail spaces aren’t immune; for example, customers pushing baby strollers or employees wheeling desks around. It only takes one crack to send someone flying.

Just like what was mentioned above, you’ll need to get your floor fixed, and sometimes it’s as simple as filling the cracks.

Poor Lighting

You really need to understand that lighting isn’t just about aesthetics. So, those dim, flickering, or uneven lighting is basically the workplace equivalent of walking blindfolded through a minefield. Okay, maybe not that bad, but it’s still pretty bad. Some workplaces can go fine with low lighting, like a wellness center, but that’s usually as far as it goes. 

But in spaces like warehouses or retail, you can’t have low lights because it just means an accident is just waiting to happen. For the most part, investing in bright, even lighting isn’t just smart; it’s essential. Some businesses will get motion sensor lights for trickier spots to ensure safety, too.

Cluttered Walkways

If you work in retail or an office, this is usually where the danger occurs, and it’s probably obvious, too (but still deserves a mention). So, here’s a nice example of why this is such a big deal: a customer trips over a misplaced stack of inventory (potential lawsuit), or an employee stumbles on a power cord stretched across the floor. One second, they’re fine; the next, they’re headed to HR with an injury report. Honestly, avoiding these workplace safety hazards are as simple as not having anything in the walkways.

Slippery Surfaces

Sometimes, it’s due to tracked-in rainwater, spilled drinks, a small leak, or even the floor polish. Sometimes, certain parts of a floor get worn to the point of being slippery. It happens, but regardless, all of these need to be taken seriously. This problem isn’t picky—it shows up in offices, clinics, retail stores, and factories alike.

Besides, a single slip-and-fall accident can rack up medical bills, legal fees, and downtime pretty fast. Very rarely will you need new flooring, but look into mats at entrances, more signs that state “wet floor,” the floor polish, and even look into slip-resistant shoes (ideally in warehouses and industrial locations).

Blocked Emergency Exits

All right, so this just isn’t legal; your business will violate so many codes for this, too. You have to remember that Emergencies don’t wait for anyone, so having clear, accessible exits isn’t just a suggestion; it’s pretty much a lifesaver, too. 

Unfortunately, many businesses treat emergency exits like storage closets, blocking them with boxes, equipment, or random junk. In an emergency, people shouldn’t be scrambling to get to an exit; there needs to be clear signs, clear pathways, and a means to get out. These are very important workplace safety hazards to avoid. 

Air Quality Nightmares

You can’t see poor air quality; it’s there, it’s dangerous, and in the long run, you could get sued if it’s found out that your business is tied to health issues (like mesothelioma). For example, dust, mold, and chemical fumes can turn workplaces into toxic zones, affecting health and productivity. 

Usually, factories or other sorts of manufacturing plants tend to have this (but technically, any building can have bad air quality). You’ll need air purifiers, proper ventilation, and regular HVAC maintenance, too.

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