33 Free Workplace Health and Safety Articles
Workplace health is the practice of protecting workers from illness, physical strain, and environmental conditions that harm the body over a shift or throughout a career. Health hazards on the job, from heat and poor air quality to repetitive strain and infectious disease, can be just as disabling as any accident, but they often build up quietly over time and are easy to overlook.
The workplace health articles on this page cover the main health hazards workers face and how to manage them. They include heat stress and cold stress, dehydration, preventing back injuries with safe lifting techniques, ergonomics and stretching, respiratory hazards like mold and poor indoor air quality, seasonal flu, chemical health risks, radiation, and mental health concerns like stress, anxiety, and fatigue.
Safety managers and supervisors can use these articles to prepare for a safety meeting, brief a crew before hot or cold weather, or help workers recognize the early symptoms of a health hazard before it becomes serious. They are written for safety managers, supervisors, and anyone responsible for keeping a workforce healthy, whether the work happens outdoors, in a plant, or in an office.
Why it matters
Healthy workers are safer, more productive workers.
Workplace Health and Safety Articles
Health FAQs
How do you prevent heat stress at work?
Prevent heat stress at work by giving workers water, rest, and shade, and by letting them acclimatize to the heat over 1 to 2 weeks. Watch for early symptoms like heavy sweating, muscle cramps, and dizziness, and treat confusion or fainting as heat stroke, a medical emergency. OSHA enforces heat protection under the General Duty Clause.
Does OSHA have a standard for every workplace health hazard?
No, OSHA does not have a standard for every workplace health hazard. Some hazards have specific OSHA standards, such as asbestos, radiation, and many chemicals, while others, including heat, ergonomics, and job stress, have no single standard and fall under the General Duty Clause (OSHA 5(a)(1)), which requires employers to keep the workplace free from recognized hazards that can cause serious harm.
What is the best way to prevent back injuries at work?
The best way to prevent back injuries is to reduce manual lifting through better job design, using carts, hoists, and team lifts, and storing loads at waist height. When workers do lift, they should keep the load close, bend at the knees rather than the waist, and avoid twisting. Good fitness and stretching help, but engineering the lift out of the task works better than relying on technique alone.
How can employers reduce the spread of illness in the workplace?
Employers can reduce the spread of illness by encouraging sick workers to stay home, promoting hand hygiene and cough etiquette, cleaning and disinfecting shared surfaces, and improving ventilation. During flu season or an outbreak, added steps like distancing and masks can help. Clear sick-leave expectations matter too, since workers who feel they cannot afford to miss a day tend to come in sick and infect others.
Why does indoor air quality matter for worker health?
Indoor air quality matters because poor air can cause headaches, fatigue, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and it can worsen asthma and allergies. Common causes of poor indoor air quality include mold, inadequate ventilation, dust, and chemical fumes. Fixing moisture problems, maintaining HVAC systems, and controlling contaminants at the source are the most effective ways to keep indoor air healthy.
Is workplace stress a safety issue?
Yes, workplace stress is a safety issue. Ongoing stress, anxiety, and fatigue affect concentration, decision-making, and reaction time, which raises the risk of mistakes and injuries on the job, and they contribute to long-term health problems. Employers can help by managing workload, encouraging breaks and time off, and making it safe for workers to speak up about stress and mental health.
