Hazard Rectification for Workplace Health Safety

Many types of hazards pervade work environments. In an effort to protect the health and safety of employees, and to adhere to safety standards developed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, it is up to employers to ensure that conspicuous hazards are rectified.

Identification

• Hazard rectification activities depend on the employer's ability to identify hazards in the workplace. Employers must be competent and knowledgeable in the area of recognizing hazards. Employers who do not possess such competencies have the option of hiring safety officers for the company, or paying safety consultants to assist with hazard identification.

Function

• To rectify a hazard means to correct it and put measures in place that prevent the same hazard from reoccurring in the future. If a hazard already had the chance to create a health or safety incident in the workplace, employers must manage the effect the incident had on victims as part of the rectification process.

Documentation

• When hazards are rectified and resolved it is essential for employers to maintain documentation of the corrective actions taken, according to New Mexico State University. Not only does this show the company's due diligence for responding to health and safety risks in the workplace, but it also serves as a reference for future new employers or employees of the company to follow.