Safety at Work

What does being safe at the workplace actually mean?

Health and safety in the workplace is about ensuring that policies and procedures defined by the government are enforced to help protect employees. This involves anything from identifying potential hazards to conducting regular safety education and training sessions for all employees. It’s not uncommon for some companies to provide voluntary drills, instructions, and guidelines to further assist employees with understanding and recognising healthy and safety risks in the workplace. As well, companies can incentivise employees go to above and beyond the minimum required of them with programs involving prizes, awards, and point systems.

Generating a safe work environment includes:

Properly storing chemical material and always having an MSDA (material safety data sheet) on hand for guidance
Mopping up any food or liquid spillages quickly
Properly stacking boxes so that the stack won’t be too high
Securing wires and cables so that they can’t be tripped over
Guaranteeing that electrical equipment isn’t used in a damp or wet area
Providing the necessary protective clothing and accessories for all employees and visitors to the workplace
Holding regular health and safety workshops

Be aware of these six workplace dangers

Construction worker wearing safety harness and safety line working at a high place

General safety hazards

These are classed as unsafe working conditions that have potential to cause injury, illness, or death. Examples include spillages, such as puddles, on the floor, unguarded machinery parts, electrical hazards, or even working from a great height on a ladder, roof, or scaffolding. In our product range, the edding retract 11 permanent marker can help reduce the risk of falling as it can be used with only one hand due to the fact that there is no cap to pull off, but instead a simple push-button mechanism.

Biological hazards

Biological hazards are classed as harm or disease from working with animals, people, or infectious plants. Those working in outdoor occupations, emergency response, hospitals, or schools should be wary of blood and other fluids, insect bites, bacteria and viruses, animal droppings, and mould. First aid training is vital to know when assisting with any biological hazard.

Scientist wearing chemical protection suit checking dangerous chemicals

Chemical hazards

This type of hazard is present when chemical preparation takes place in the workplace and can be in solid, liquid, or gas form. Some employees are more sensitive than others to types of chemicals, causing illness, breathing problems, and even skin irritation. Poor ventilation, improper handling methods and unlabelled containers are some of the biggest issues related to chemical hazards. The edding 8014 laboratory marker can help in this regard, as it is able to be used on plastic laboratory equipment such as microscope slides and petri dishes.

Physical hazards

Physical hazards are those that can affect any employee without physical contact being necessary. These include radiation, exposure to sunlight and UV rays, extreme hot and cold temperatures, and constant loud noise. This is where the right clothing and accessories are extremely important to have, such as sun hats, warm jackets, sunglasses, ear muffs, and radiation equipment.

Ergonomic hazards

These occur when constant strain is put on the body due to things such as improper work stations or chairs, frequent heavy lifting, bad posture, and awkward, repetitive movements. These are harder to spot because they happen over time, but sore or twisted muscles are a sign that changes should be made to prevent long-term injury.

Psychological hazards

Workplace harassment, stress, or large workloads are all types of psychological hazards. Some employees feel like they don’t have any control over how they’re treated or any flexibility in the tasks they’re given, and this can cause immense pressure and anxiety in the workplace. Although the law doesn’t state that a works council must be set up, many private companies (with more than five employees) have the right to start one. This can help employees speak to someone impartial about any issues they are currently facing at work.

edding 8850 carpenter pen marks wall with water level

How edding products can assist with health & safety

For employees working on construction sites or simply anyone working on ladders or scaffolding, it can be dangerous to hold different things by hand and still find balance. Luckily, the edding retract 11 permanent marker has a clip on the lid and retractable nib, which means that anyone can safely hold onto something when working high up and operate the marker with the other hand. That’s not the only reliable tool for workers, as the edding 8407 cable marker, with its extremely fine nib, helps IT workers and electricians find the correct cables when maintenance work arises. The edding 8850 carpenter pen assists DIY professionals clearly mark walls and other surfaces with its extra-long nib.

edding markers help with making the workplace safer and more effective, as our range of products are made with professionals in mind. We want everyone who uses our products to feel secure and creative at all times.