Identifying Unsafe Working Conditions

Workers are exposed to unsafe working conditions daily. This puts them at risk for serious injuries that could cost them their livelihood or, worse, cost them their life. Certain occupational hazards cannot be totally prevented despite efforts to do so. However, there are instances when the employer willfully neglects to take the necessary precautions to eliminate hazards in the workplace. In such instances, the employees must take action or risk their and their co-workers’ lives.

Before anyone can take action, they must first be able to identify unsafe working conditions. Working conditions vary depending on the nature of the job, but there are certain situations that are unsafe for any type of job.

Safety Hazards

These make working in general unsafe, and they can potentially cause injuries, illness, or death. Safety hazards include improperly guarded machinery, anything that may cause trips or falls, and confined spaces.

Defective Equipment

Do you work with new but defective or worn-out equipment that was never repaired or replaced?
Inadequate Protection
If you’re working with tools that are dangerous, your employee should provide you with adequate gear to protect you from injury.
Inadequate Warning Systems
Warning systems alert employees when they are in danger. These should undergo regular inspection.

Fire Hazards

Are there frayed wires, faulty wiring, or improperly stored flammable products in your workplace? If so, then you’re working in an unsafe environment.

Confined Spaces

If your workplace requires you to squeeze into small spaces that have restricted entrance or exits, those are safety hazards as you may not be able to escape in case of an emergency.

Physical Hazards

These are hazards that affect the environment, causing harm to employees when left unchecked.

Extreme Temperatures

Working under the sun or in extreme heat or cold in a factory requires the employer to provide employees with adequate protection. If this is not the case, your employer is putting you at risk of various diseases.

Continuous Loud Noise

Continuous loud noise without proper protection could cause hearing disabilities in the long run and is therefore considered unsafe.

Radiation

Ionizing and non-ionizing materials have negative effects on the body, especially with prolonged exposure.

Hazardous Air Conditions

You may be working with materials or chemicals that contaminate the air you breathe. Continuous exposure to hazardous air conditions will lead to respiratory problems.

Ergonomic Hazards

These hazards include repetitively awkward or difficult positions that put a strain on the body. These may result in sore muscles that could evolve into a serious long-term issue.

Non-Ergonomic Work Stations

Non-ergonomic work stations cause poor posture among employees. If you have to stay in an uncomfortable position for a long period, it could cause damage on your body.

Frequent Lifting

Since all types of machinery are available on the market, employees should not be required to perform frequent lifting.

Awkward Movements

These also cause sore muscles and other serious problems in the long run. Your employer should find ways to make your work routines more efficient.

Continuous Vibrations

Continuous vibrations cause carpal tunnel syndrome and other injuries that affect one’s dexterity over time.

Work Organization Hazards

Stressors are also considered hazards in the workplace because they can affect someone’s quality of work or attentiveness and potentially cause injuries.

Extreme Workload Demands

Extreme workload demands lead to overexertion and exhaustion.

High Intensity Or Pace

This would also lead to exhaustion of employees, which could be the cause of various health issues.

Lack Of Flexibility

Your work should have provisions for sickness among employees. Forcing anyone to report to work when they’re sick is endangerment, too.

Workplace Congestion

Cramped working areas are not good for employees’ well-being. If the company is expanding, the physical space it occupies should increase as well.

We have provided a few common unsafe working conditions. This list, however, is not exhaustive. If you find any other aspect that you deem dangerous, you may consider that as an unsafe working condition.

What To Do When You’re Working In An Unsafe Working Condition

When you start seeing signs of unsafe working conditions, do your best to identify every unsafe aspect of your workplace. Document them so you have concrete proof. You don’t need to wait for someone to get hurt to reach out to your employer about unsafe working conditions. Ideally, your employer will address the issues you presented and make your work safer.

However, if they ignore your complaints, it may be time to call on a workers’ compensation attorney. When you have a Southwest Florida workers’ comp lawyer on your side, they can guide you through the ins and outs of Florida workers' compensation laws. Together, you can find ways to make your workplace safer.