2. Hazard recognition

Employees and employers are regularly exposed to numerous workplace hazards. Hence, every employer needs to assess, identify and mitigate the risk that their workers may face. Different types of hazards are shown in the figure below.

The various types of occupational hazards:

a. Electrical Hazards

Electrical accidents in the workplace are very common, and they are caused by unprotected exposure to high voltage electrical outlets. Electrical burns, fires, and shocks are the most common types of electrical accidents. Electrical fires occur when flammable materials in the workplace, such as cotton and wood shavings, come into contact with uninsulated wiring or broken circuits. Workers are directly at risk of electrical accidents if they must use faulty extension cords or work in environments littered with exposed power lines.

In numerous cases, such exposure can result in minor to severe injuries, particularly burns, cardiac arrest and even death (electrocution). Some other scenarios that can result in electrical accidents include the following :

• Hidden electrical outlets in the workplace
• Unsafe equipment or installation.
• Lack of personal protective equipment
• Poor control of work activities
• Un-insulated electrical wiring
• Lack of training
• Failure of isolating circuits before working

b. Chemical Hazards

Handling toxic chemicals at the workplace can also endanger the safety of employees, especially without proper gear. Exposure to such materials can result in several effects ranging from inflammation on the skin, allergies to organ failures, cancer and death. Chemicals are generally combustible and therefore need to be handled with extra precaution. Companies that use combustible materials in their manufacturing must take extra precautions when handling them. Failure to do so increases the likelihood of fires breaking out.

c. Hazard due to machinery and tools

Employees working in industries that require regular machinery and tools usage (e.g. construction or transportation) are at risk of accidents during the usage of such machinery. In numerous cases, the incidents are caused by the use of faulty equipment, lack of adequate knowledge, product defects or negligence of stipulated safety precautions. Common examples of workplace accidents due to faulty machinery and tools are:

• Burns due to a faulty heater in the factory
• Falling down from a defective ladder or shaky scaffolding
• Cuts due to sharp tools and tools with edges
• Injuries due to the usage of the wrong tool
• Hearing loss due to prolonged usage of machinery without ear muffs
• Lacerations as a result of equipment usage without safety mechanisms
• Injuries due to entanglement

d. Workplace Harassment

Harassment at the workplace is a common issue that can lead to an unhealthy working environment, decreased productivity, and toxic behaviors. It includes any actions that repeatedly threaten, abuse, mock, or discriminate against an employee and have a negative impact on job performance. Workplace harassment, also known as workplace aggression, can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including bullying, psychological abuse, and sexual assault.

Harassing behaviors and actions in the workplace include body-shaming, offensive jokes and slurs such as racist comments, intimidation, and physical assaults. The harasser does not have to be the boss or employer; he or she could be a coworker or someone with other ties to the organization such as a client. As a victim of workplace harassment, the first thing to be done is to stand up for self and express displeasure to the harasser. In addition, use appropriate complaint channels to report cases of workplace harassment in order to seek redress.

e. Breach of Code of Conduct and Business Ethics

When an employee illegally obtains cash or non-cash property from his or her employer, this is referred to as workplace theft. Employees who engage in workplace theft frequently see it as a way to settle scores with their employers or to retaliate against their employers for low pay or other unfavorable working conditions.

In certain cases, employees believe that involvement in workplace theft will have no impact on the organization, particularly if the action involves obtaining non-cash property such as office equipment, stationery, or office supplies. In other words, these individuals regard the organization as an anonymous entity that will suffer no significant consequences as a result of their "minor" actions.

Some examples of workplace theft are inflated or forged bills, deflection of received business payments for personal goods or services and seeking compensation for uncompleted work ( e.g. false overtime).