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Hidden Hazards Safety Topics

Hazards don't just exist in pursuits known for their high risk of danger---they can be found right in the home or office. Being aware of these hazards and considering which ones you may frequently encounter can help to prevent accidents.

  1. Slippery Floors

    • Slippery floors are a common hazard in many stores, and they can be a hazard in workplaces and homes as well. Carpeting with a no-skid backing can help to keep people safe, and no-slip stickers or rubber mats can help prevent falls in the shower.

    Blinds

    • Venetian blinds can pose a life-threatening hazard to small children and pets, as Hibah Yousuf says in CNN Money's "Blind Recall Affects 50 Million Shades, Roll-up Blinds." Small children and pets could potentially get stuck in the cord and become strangled, he says, though using the safety kits provided by blinds companies may minimize risk. A cat could get stuck while climbing the blinds.

    Drug and Chemical Exposure

    • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people working in biomedical research, or who administer related therapies, have a risk of exposure to potentially dangerous drugs. Unsafe exposure has been linked to conditions such as skin rashes, infertility, and even cancer, according to the CDC website. Furthermore, many household chemicals could harm children or pets if not stored out of reach or locked up.

    Insects and Animals

    • In some fields, or areas of the world, workers run the risk of encountering dangerous insects or animals, like poisonous spiders, as the CDC points out. Death from snake and spider bites is rare, the CDC adds, but people who may encounter such creatures while gardening, working outside, or in the forest should recognize the dangerous species in their area and know what steps to take if they encounter these animals or insects. Furthermore, people commonly believe rabies is only transmitted through bites, when in fact animals can pass it through saliva, according to the CDC.

    Dust

    • Dust may seem almost invisible, but it can prove a severe hazard, especially when inhaled over a period of time. Certain activities such as mining and woodworking increase the amount of dust a person might breathe in, so safety measures are crucial. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), miners face a particularly high risk from silica dust.

    Fumes

    • Fumes pose another invisible risk. Asphalt fumes pose a threat to road workers, according to the NIOSH. Limiting exposure to these fumes plays a key role in protecting people from them. Furthermore, diesel exhaust fumes pose a serious threat to miners, the NIOSH says.

    Fires

    • Fire that starts in electrical systems or lighting equipment destroys or damages more than 24,000 homes each year, while killing 320 people and injuring 830 others, according to the National Fire Protection Association. In mining operations, fire poses a serious risk since escape can be difficult and natural fuels trapped within the earth create a risk of explosion, says the NIOSH. As the Chilean mining collapse of 2010 shows, rock falls also pose a serious hazard to miners.

    Equipment Failure

    • Equipment failure can also put people at risk. For instance, escalators have caused severe injuries when they haven't been properly inspected and fixed, says the CBS Early Show. People's limbs have gotten stuck inside gaps between the escalator steps and side panel, according to this program. Heavy machinery, weakness in scaffolding and other structures and misuse of equipment can also pose a serious hazard.

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