It’s not a big deal until it is: Workplace hazards
Workplace hazards are often not reported. Consequently, these risks are not resolved, resulting in injuries or even fatalities.
Statistics released by the HSE indirectly reflect the outcomes of unaddressed hazards in the workplace. These findings indicate that 693,000 employees were injured and 111 killed at workplaces in the UK during the 2019/2020 period. Incidents leading to injury and death have detrimental consequences. More often than not, unfortunate events can be prevented by reporting an observed hazard in the workplace.
The Accident Advice Helpline conducted a survey to determine the reporting frequency of workplace hazards. A total of 25% of respondents reported experiencing an injury, or knowing of someone who was injured in the workplace. Despite these occurrences, one in six people do not report an observed risk.
Common workplace hazards
Every workplace has health and safety pitfalls, which can generally be categorised as:
- Biological hazards – bacteria, viruses, mould, bodily fluids, sewage, etc. that may impact health.
- Physical hazards – environmental factors such as adverse weather conditions, height, noise, and radiation. It also includes hazards that create unsafe working conditions such as slip, trip and fall hazards.
- Ergonomic hazards – a result of work activities that are physically straining or could result in musculoskeletal injuries.
- Chemical hazards – exposure to any hazardous substances that can cause harm.
- Psychosocial hazards – work-related circumstances that can impact an employee’s mental health or wellbeing.
Employees may not be able to control or manage the risks associated with some of these categories. However, every employee can report a hazard when identifying it. Some of the most common workplace hazards can be easily addressed if reported, these include:
- Spillages, uneven flooring or trailing wires.
- Unsafe working practices when operating machinery.
- Using the wrong equipment for the wrong tasks or activities.
- Disregard for health and safety apparel and equipment.
- Working at heights without taking the required health and safety precautions.
Why, if the most common workplace hazards are observable, identifiable and, most importantly, preventable, do people neglect to report these risks?
Reasons why people don’t report workplace hazards
The reasons why people neglect to report workplace hazards are varied and many. It seems that people are untroubled about possible dangers in the workplace. However, StaySafe found that most reasons are generic and applicable across all sectors and industries. Following is a list of the main reasons why workplace hazards are not reported:
- The reporting process is time-consuming and burdens already busy work schedules.
- If identified hazards do not directly impact people or their work activities, these hazards are ignored.
- Some think that reporting a workplace hazard is not their duty or responsibility.
- A percentage stated that they were unfamiliar with reporting procedures (e.g. who reports should be made to).
- Some felt that they would be victimised for reporting problems and others confessed that they were told not to report a workplace hazard.
People often feel that a hazard is not serious and that nothing will come of it – until it is too late.
When a hazard becomes a problem
Most companies have solid health and safety protocols in place. In reality, however, safety guidelines are often just words on paper and not applied operating practices in the workplace.
A workplace hazard can be ignored as a danger until it is the cause of injury or death. This problem then escalates exponentially and becomes a great, and often urgent, issue. Eventually, an ignored workplace hazard has physical, emotional, economic and legal ramifications. Creating awareness among employees is a positive step towards workplace hazard reporting.