Identifying Hazards in the Workplace

• Not wearing appropriate safety gear
• Not following safe work procedures

Improper handling of hazardous materials

• Not enough machine guards or barriers
• Defective tools or equipment
• Using the wrong tools for the job
• Warning systems that don’t work properly

• Poor walkway maintenance
• Overcrowded work areas
• Not enough ventilation
• Poor lighting
• Extreme temperatures or noise levels
• Untidy or cluttered workspaces

Hazards created by the design, pace, or type of work

Health hazards may affect a worker’s health over time. Examples include:

• Chemical hazards
• Physical hazards such as heat, cold, noise, or vibration
• Ergonomic hazards such as force, repetition, or awkward posture
• Biological hazards

Safety hazards can cause immediate injury or damage. Examples include:

• Moving machinery or equipment
• Electrical, heat, or pressure sources
• Manual or mechanical material handling
• Unsafe work practices

Workplace inspections are one of the most effective ways to find hazards. Supervisors, managers, maintenance staff, health and safety representatives, and workers all play a role.

Workplace inspections can be formal or informal.

Formal inspections

These are planned, scheduled reviews of a work area, task, or piece of equipment. They often use a checklist to ensure nothing is missed.

Formal inspections help you:

• Keep a record of hazards
• Assign and track corrective actions
• Monitor trends over time

Use a checklist to stay organized, but stay alert to hazards not on the list. The goal is safety, not completing a form.

Download a sample checklist: Sample Workplace Inspection Checklist (PDF)

Informal inspections

Informal inspections happen throughout the day as workers and supervisors notice hazards during regular work.

They help you:

• Catch issues between formal inspections
• Encourage workers to speak up
• Build a culture where hazards are spotted early

Anyone can do an informal inspection at any time. Let workers know their observations are valued.

Task analysis breaks a job into steps and looks for hazards at each stage.

It works well for:

• Higher-risk tasks
• New or changed tasks
• Infrequently performed tasks
• Tasks with a history of injuries

Workers should be involved—they know the job best.

A task analysis generally includes 5 steps:

1. Select the task
2. Break the task into steps
3. Identify hazards at each step
4. Determine how to eliminate or reduce the hazards
5. Write or update safe work procedures

Task analysis example—changing a flat tire

This example shows how task analysis helps you break a job into smaller parts, spot hazards, and identify safer ways to complete the work.

Breaking the job into steps may include:

• Parking the vehicle
• Removing the spare
• Loosening the lug nuts

Hazards may include:

• Parking too close to traffic
• Lifting the spare incorrectly
• Having the lug wrench slip

Controls may include:

• Parking well off the road and turning on hazard lights
• Lifting with your legs and keeping the spare close to your body
• Applying steady, controlled pressure

Download a Task Analysis Worksheet (DOC) to help guide your process.

Observation involves staying aware of your surroundings and noticing anything unusual.

Listen to your workers

Workers often see hazards first. Look into concerns right away and decide whether controls are needed.

Fresh eyes help

Visitors, contractors, or workers from other areas may notice hazards you have overlooked—such as a slippery entryway or poor lighting.

Report hazards and near misses

Encourage workers to report hazards and near misses. These early warnings help prevent injuries. Always ensure workers know their reporting is valued.