It’s important for companies to assess and control on-the-job and onsite hazards. Not only is a company risk assessment required by law, it’s also just smart business. Being proactive when it comes to protecting the health and safety of your workers is a good thing. It minimizes worksite accidents or illnesses that could lead to employees missing work, workers compensation claims, and project, productivity, or service delays. All of which are potentially damaging to a company’s reputation and its bottom line.
The purpose of a risk assessment audit isn’t to create a mound of paperwork. It’s to identify what hazards currently exist and set forth the appropriate measures to protect your employees, your services/productivity, and reputation.
Through the years, our Pittsburgh company risk assessment consultants have identified a number of worksite hazards. Some of the most common include:
Scaffolding/Ladders
The most frequently cited OSHA violations are ladder and scaffolding violations. Falls from those working at heights are responsible for one third of all construction fatalities. Fall protection gear must be properly sized and worn. Anchor points must be deemed safe. Equipment needs to also have proper fall protection – whether that’s railings or swing gates.
Unnecessary Clutter
Our Pittsburgh risk consultants frequently see clutter blocking emergency exits, fire exits, and aisles. Even something like an overstacked warehouse pallet can limit sprinkler efficiency if it’s stacked too high and there’s a fire.
Sometimes we’ve seen items inappropriately stored in electrical rooms or near electrical panels. Tripping hazards from extension cords running across high-traffic floors. Inconspicuous puddles of water contributing to slips and falls.
This is an area where employees can make a difference by picking up after themselves to minimize fall, slip, or obstruction hazards.
Electrical Hazards
Improper use of extension cords or power strips are another potential violation commonly identified in a company risk assessment. Worn out cords (cords used for several weeks or months) or overcrowded powerstrips are other electrical hazards we watch for.
Forklifts
Common forklift or load-carrying hazards we see are due to distracted driving, an unstable or oversized load, or moving loads of hazardous materials/chemicals. Other common factors can be a hurried operator’s unfamiliarity with the equipment or complacency.
Machinery Lockout/Tagout
Many times, despite having the right lockout/tagout procedures in place, accidents involving the unexpected startup of machinery or equipment still happen. This is another area where proper training is so important. Lockout/tagout procedures must be properly implemented and followed to work. Doing this could potentially save your life as well as the life of the person sitting next to you.
Confined Spaces
There are a number of hazards associated with working within a confined space. These include exposure to chemicals or toxins, oxygen deficiency, flammables, and excessive heat. A number of incidents involving confined spaces are due to an employer failing to carry out a risk assessment or issue a permit.
Chemicals
Many times chemicals are used once and then seldom used ever again. Many of these chemicals can become unstable and flammable in storage over time. There are also dangers in the transporting of chemicals or switching chemicals from one container to another. This is another area where employee training regarding OSHA requirements and the proper disposing of expired chemicals is extremely helpful.
Schedule a Company Risk Assessment in Pittsburgh
If you’d like to talk to MAC Safety Consultants, Inc. about a company risk assessment in Pittsburgh, please contact us today at 724-847-3331. A small upfront investment right now on a company risk assessment will pay dividends in no time. There’s no better way to show you’re committed to employee safety and uninterrupted service and productivity. Let’s talk!