Understanding Occupational Hazards and Prevention Measures in the Workplace

Understanding Workplace Risks

Defining Risk

Risk is understood as the possibility that an employee may suffer a specific injury or harm resulting from their work activities.

A Severe Risk is defined as a hazard with a high probability of materializing in the immediate future and potentially causing serious harm.

Identifying and Locating Risks

The process of locating and identifying risks involves examining several areas:

• Work Methods: Analyzing the actions performed by the worker while carrying out their tasks.
• Equipment, Tools, and Installations: Assessing potential hazards, such as using tools without appropriate protection.
• Work Environment Conditions: Evaluating hygienic, physical, chemical, and biological factors present in the workplace.

Common Occupational Hazards

Various types of risks are frequently encountered in the workplace:

• Mechanical Risks: Potential for cuts, burns, and trauma caused by machinery or work processes, resulting in physical injuries.
• Chemical Risks: Exposure to substances that can lead to allergic reactions, carcinogenic effects, or other health issues.
• Physical Risks: Hazards related to noise, vibrations, inadequate lighting, temperature extremes, and radiation.
• Biological Risks: Exposure to infectious agents such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
• Psychosocial Risks: Issues stemming from work organization and planning, potentially leading to conditions like burnout syndrome, fatigue, and stress.
• Fall Risks: Dangers associated with working at heights or on unstable surfaces.
• Fire and Explosion Risks: Hazards related to the presence and handling of flammable materials.
• Electrical Risks: Dangers associated with working with any type of electrical machinery or apparatus.

Causes of Workplace Risks

Inadequate Management Systems

Risks can arise from deficiencies in the company's administration and management systems related to safety.

Basic Causes

These often originate from a lack of administrative control concerning human or technical resources, leading to unsafe conditions or practices.

Consequences of Workplace Risks

Work Accidents

A work accident is defined as any injury sustained by an employee as a consequence of the work they perform.

Occupational Diseases

An Occupational Disease is an illness contracted as a result of performing work duties. Examples include:

• Diseases caused by chemical agents.
• Infectious and parasitic diseases.
• Systemic diseases (e.g., affecting the liver).
• Neoplasms (cancers).
• Skin diseases, including cutaneous cancer.

Factors Influencing Occupational Diseases

Several factors contribute to the development of occupational diseases:

• Frequency of exposure to the hazard.
• Intensity or concentration of the contaminant.
• Type and number of contaminants involved.
• Individual characteristics and susceptibility of the worker.

Workplace Safety Framework

Causes Related to Safety Deficiencies

Failures in workplace safety often stem from:

• Structural Issues: Problems with installations, stairs, workspaces, etc.
• Equipment, Tools, or Machinery: Hazards associated with manual tools, vehicles, or fixed/moving parts of machines.

Effects of Safety Failures

The primary effects are work-related injuries (traumatology), such as falls, cuts, burns, fractures, etc.

Roles and Responsibilities

Employer Duties and Rights

Employers have several key responsibilities and rights regarding workplace safety:

• Protect personnel from workplace hazards.
• Inform, consult, and consider proposals from staff regarding safety.
• Provide specific protection for sensitive workers (e.g., minors, pregnant employees).
• Offer periodic health surveillance services.
• Analyze potential emergency situations and prepare response plans.
• Apply preventive principles consistently.
• Provide necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Employee Obligations

Workers also have obligations to ensure workplace safety:

• Adhere to safety rules according to the training and instructions received.
• Use work equipment correctly and safely.
• Refrain from disabling or bypassing any safety devices.
• Report any identified risks to health and safety immediately.
• Contribute to the fulfillment of legal safety obligations.
• Cooperate with the employer on safety matters.