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Common workplace hazards often fit into a few different categories:

• Safety Hazards are common unsafe conditions in the workplace, like slip/trip/fall hazards, dangerous machinery, confined spaces, and electrical hazards.
• Biological Hazards are biological materials that can spread disease or expose you to toxins. Examples include bodily fluids, plant material, animal droppings, and mold.
• Physical Hazards are factors in the environment that can hurt you without contact, like loud noise, radiation, and extreme temperatures.
• Chemical Hazards include dangerous liquids, gases, or vapors, flammable materials, pesticides, and improper labeling of containers.
• Ergonomic Hazards are improper work methods or equipment that can lead to pain, injury, and disability, often caused by repetitive motion, awkward postures, and maintaining a position for extended periods of time.
• Workload Hazards are conditions that cause occupational stress, burnout, and fatigue, including time pressure, long hours, lack of control over work tasks, lack of support, interpersonal conflict, and workplace violence.

The four essential steps in hazard management can be remembered as SAFE:

• Spot the hazard. Identify safety concerns through inspections, job analyses, testing, etc.
• Assess the risk. Gauge the likelihood of incident and the potential severity.
• Fix the problem. Eliminate the hazard, reduce the likelihood, and/or mitigate the consequences.
• Evaluate the results. Monitor the effectiveness of control measures, ensure they're properly implemented, and ensure risks are adequately managed.

As an employee, if you identify a safety hazard at work, you should notify your supervisor or health and safety representative. If your concerns aren't taken seriously in-house, you can report the problem to OSHA. OSHA regulations protect this kind of whistleblower activity – your employer can get in trouble for retaliating against you in any way.

As an employer (and/or someone with supervisory responsibilities), you're responsible for implementing control measures once you notice a safety hazard in the workplace. The best approach is to use the hazard management steps described above.