Occupational hazards are risks to health and well-being associated with specific jobs, including physical and psychological risks. These risks cannot be eliminated, but workplaces take steps to address them, such as providing special training and safety equipment. Employers who fail to provide adequate training and equipment can be penalized, and employees who are careless about occupational hazards can find themselves out of work.
Occupational hazards are hazards to human health and well-being associated with specific occupations. While efforts are made to reduce risks, these risks remain present in the workplace due to the nature of the profession. For a telephone line worker, for example, falls from a height pose an occupational hazard because members of telephone teams must work at height to do their jobs. Recognizing occupational hazards is the first step in working on workplace risk reduction programs to keep the workplace as safe and healthy as possible.
Some jobs are, by their very nature, extremely dangerous. Jobs with numerous occupational hazards often provide better pay for their employees, in recognition of the danger, and are also usually charged higher rates for insurance, because underwriters recognize that the ability to pay on that insurance is much higher. highest. For example, insuring professional firefighters is more expensive than providing basic disability insurance for a small office because firefighters are assumed to be dangerous.
Occupational hazards can lead to illness, injury or death. They can include physical risks such as falls and exposure to heavy machinery, as well as psychological risks such as stress. Occupational hazards such as exposure to chemical, biological and radiological agents are also a problem. People who work in jobs with a recognized risk to occupational safety are often given special training so that people are aware of the danger.
Since these risks cannot be eliminated, workplaces take steps to address them. For example, people exposed to radiation are expected to wear radiation badges to monitor their exposure so that if their level of exposure becomes dangerous, they can be treated. Similarly, people who work at height wear seat belts so that if they fall, they are less likely to be injured. Emergency response plans are also in place to handle workplace injuries and incidents quickly and efficiently.
People should ensure they are familiar with all occupational hazards in their workplaces and know how to deal with them. This includes everything from learning the correct typing posture to reduce office work injuries to checking your safety equipment before entering a burning building with a team of firefighters. Employers who fail to provide adequate training and equipment for their staff can be penalized by government agencies that monitor health and safety, and employees who are careless about occupational hazards can find themselves out of work.
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