Common workplace practices that risk employee safety

Clipboard with health and safety procedures on the table.

Contrary to common perception, the latest data from SafeWork Australia reveals that 40 per cent of claims are made by employees in administration, professional services, sales, community work and management.

Despite businesses in Australia having a legal requirement to comply with their State’s Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) laws, more than 100,000 serious workplace injuries still occur every year. These range from mental stress, to trips and falls, to collisions with objects.

Senior management needs to be serious about their legislative obligation and look at reducing risks of physical and mental illness and injury to their workers. There are seven workplace hazards commonly overlooked by employers:

  1. Heavy workloads and high stress levels. Work-related stress is the second most common compensated illness or injury in Australia. It can lead to physical symptoms such as fatigue, psychological symptoms such as depression, or behavioural symptoms such as mood swings. These can contribute to long-term health complications such as sleep loss and even diabetes.
  2. Concealed bullying and harassment. We tend to think of managers as the main perpetrators of workplace bullying and harassment. But this behaviour is also present among junior-to-mid-level employees, contractors and even external suppliers. Being at the receiving end of bullying and harassment can cause emotional trauma and lead to mental health injuries.
  3. Basic clutter. Do staff need to meander around stacked boxes, plants, artworks, bags on floors or courier deliveries placed in access areas? These present trip or collision risks for anyone in the workplace. Employers should organise regular workplace “housekeeping” or inspections to identify potential obstacles that might create hazards.
  4. Blocking fire safety equipment. Are bookshelves or tall furniture pieces blocking fire exits, sprinkler heads, fire hoses or fire hydrants? These can obstruct the use or efficiency of fire safety equipment in the case of an emergency. Management should ensure fire safety equipment has 1-metre-clear zones marked by signage, workplaces have regular safety inspections, and there is preventative maintenance in place for essential services.
  5. Non-adjustable desks, chairs and monitors. Desks, chairs and monitors that can’t be adapted to employee needs can lead to injuries. Research led by the University of Sydney found that lower back pain accounts for a third of all work-related disability. While employers might be reluctant to spend on ergonomic equipment, the cost of compensation claims far outweigh the investment.
  6. Extreme workplace temperatures. Are desks positioned beneath air-conditioning vents? Or is direct sunlight causing ‘hot spots’ in the office in summer? Ideally, interior workplaces should be a comfortable even temperature of 22 degrees in summer and 24 degrees in winter. An employee falling ill because they were forced to work in uncomfortable conditions can lead to days off work, and even a workers compensation claim.
  7. Lack of commitment to safety. If you can’t remember seeing a company WHS policy, you have a major employee safety issue. You still have an issue if your company has a WHS program but not every person working under the organisation is included and consulted into it. The relevant manager should take all staff through the company’s WHS policy and take practical steps to demonstrate that their safety is their priority.

Workplace safety is non-negotiable, no matter what industry you’re in. Not complying with the Workplace Health and Safety Act can result in thousands of dollars in litigation costs, a drain on resources, potential loss of time, illness an injuries, increased WorkCover claims, a damaged brand reputation – and, of greatest concern, potential fatalities.

For organisations serious about mitigating workplace risks, the ISO 45001 Standard is undoubtedly the best option to benchmark an organisation’s occupational health and safety performances against their local and overseas competitors.

Rod Beath, workplace safety spokesperson, SAI Global