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|  | Recognizing Hazards Before IncidentsMost workplace incidents don’t happen without warning. A trip hazard, blocked exit, damaged equipment, or improperly stored material may be present for hours, days, or even weeks before someone gets hurt. Recognizing hazards early gives us an opportunity to prevent an incident before it happens, helping protect yourself, your colleagues, and the campus community.
If required by your school or unit, make sure you are up to date on Behavior-Based Safety training through myHR Learn. | |
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| What is a hazard?A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause injury, illness, property damage, or other harm. Hazards can be found in almost any work environment and can be obvious, such as a wet floor, but others may be less noticeable.
- Chemicals: Unlabeled containers, incompatible storage, or spills
- Electrical: Damaged cords, blocked electrical panels, or overloaded circuits
- Emergency equipment: Blocked exits, fire extinguishers, or emergency eyewash stations
- Storage: Unstable stacks, overloaded shelves, or items stored in walkways
- Walking surfaces: Cords, hoses, boxes, clutter, or uneven flooring
- Work activities: Tasks that create hazards for employees or others nearby, such as welding
- Work equipment: Missing guards, damaged tools, or malfunctioning equipment
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| Don't walk past itOne of the simplest ways to prevent incidents is to develop the habit of stopping when something doesn’t look right. Follow these steps if you notice a potential hazard:
- Stop - Take a moment to recognize what you are seeing.
- Look - Ask yourself: What could go wrong? Who could be affected?
- Act - If it is safe to do so, correct the hazard. For example, remove a small obstruction or clean up a minor spill.
- Report - If you cannot safely correct the hazard yourself, notify your supervisor or other appropriate party.
- Follow up - Don’t assume someone else has taken care of it. If the hazard remains, check back to make sure it has been addressed.
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|  | Hazards are everyone’s concernYou don’t have to be responsible for an area, piece of equipment, or process to recognize a hazard. A blocked exit may be someone else’s responsibility. A damaged electrical cord may belong to another department. A spill may have been caused by someone else. What matters is recognizing when something isn’t right and making sure it gets the attention it needs.
As you move through your workplace and around campus, look beyond where you’re going. Ask yourself: What could cause an incident if nothing changes?
Everyone has a role in recognizing hazards and helping ensure they are addressed before they can harm people, property, or the environment. |
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| Do you want to learn more? |
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