At Gallagher Bassett, we often focus on workplace safety hazards in terms of fall protection, safety equipment, and OSHA compliance. But this time, we’re shedding a light on environmental awareness and safety.
Environmental Awareness
Environmental hazards on the jobsite are risks of workers contracting short or long term, sometimes fatal, illnesses while exposed to harmful materials such as lead, asbestos, and other forms of environmental contamination. Other forms of risk can also include animal droppings, fungi, viruses, blood, and mold, which are considered biological hazards.
Check out our Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Awareness course here.
Working conditions that involve extreme heat or cold, spending long hours under the sun or ultraviolet rays, radiation, or constant exposure to loud noises can also pose the risk of injuring workers with or without any contact.
As the temperatures rise, cold risk concerns turn into warm risk concerns. Sun exposure is no joke, learn more about it in our 1-Hour Protection Sun Exposure course!
On the jobsite, encountering chemical, biological, and unseen hazards is more likely to happen in demolition, groundwork, or refurbishment.
A key example is that if not properly prepared, a worker could be exposed to dust or water contaminated by bird droppings. These could lead to various diseases, such as histoplasmosis, a potentially fatal respiratory problem.
Keep You and Your Staff Safe
Inspect and check for all types of safety hazards your workers may be exposed to on the workday and on every jobsite, and ensure you’re in compliance with OSHA guidelines. Ensure proper PPE is provided if your staff must enter a hazardous area, even for a moment. And inspect the surrounding area to avoid electrical hazards and contact with overhead power lines.
Remember, an ounce of safety measures is worth more than the risk of short-term and long-term illness.
