Occupational safety: A guide to protecting people’s health at work

What OHS really means today?

OHS is about creating a culture where every person – whether they’re the CEO, a contractor or a volunteer – can carry out their duties without putting their life, health or fitness at risk. Achieving that takes a proactive approach: identifying workplace hazards, understanding the risks and putting smart, tangible measures in place to prevent harm. That could mean redesigning a task to reduce strain, improving air quality or reshaping workloads to avoid burnout.

And yes, it goes well beyond helmets and high-visibility vests. When worker safety becomes a shared priority, it transforms how we do our jobs. With the right safety guidelines, teams can stay focused, confident and even enjoy their time at work. Embedding OHS into daily routines, through regular risk assessments, open conversations and practical safety tips for work, helps create a workplace where people feel protected, valued and empowered to do their best.

Workplace hazards: knowing the risks

Every workplace has its share of hazards – and when those hazards go unmanaged, they quickly turn into risks. A workplace hazard is any source, situation or behaviour that has the potential to cause injury, illness or harm to a worker’s physical or mental health.

These hazards come in many forms:

• Physical: slippery floors, exposed wires, loud noise
• Chemical: toxic substances, flammable materials
• Biological: bacteria, viruses, mould
• Ergonomic: poor workstation design, repetitive movements
• Psychosocial: stress, harassment or bullying

But not every hazard automatically puts people at risk. The difference lies in how well we control them. Applying practical safety guidelines – like replacing hazardous substances with safer alternatives, installing barriers, improving task design, or simply organizing work more effectively – can go a long way in protecting worker safety.

How to identify workplace hazards

The first step to creating a safer workplace is knowing what you’re up against. So how do you identify workplace hazards before they lead to injuries or health issues? It starts with something simple: observation. Walk through each area where work is being done and look for anything that could potentially harm someone or lead to a dangerous situation.

Common red flags include:

• Loose wires or unguarded drops in height
• Poorly maintained tools and equipment
• Work carried out in confined spaces or at height
• Excessive noise, extreme temperatures or bad lighting
• Poor air quality from dust, fumes or inadequate ventilation
• Workers who seem visibly tired, stressed or emotionally overwhelmed

But don’t stop at what you can see. Incident reports, health assessments, equipment monitoring data and manufacturer instructions can all highlight hidden risks. And perhaps most importantly – talk to your team. The people doing the work day-in and day-out often have the sharpest insights into what might go wrong.

Workplace safety tips that make a difference

Spotting workplace hazards is only the beginning. Once you’ve identified a risk, the next step is to assess how serious it is. How likely is it to cause injury or ill health? How severe could the outcome be? And how many people might be affected?

To manage risks effectively, one of the best-known safety guidelines is the hierarchy of controls, a simple yet powerful method that prioritizes solutions based on how effective they are. While it may sound technical, it’s really just common sense: start with the most powerful way to remove the risk and work your way down.

The five levels of control are:

• Elimination: Remove the hazard entirely. No hazard, no risk.
• Substitution: Swap the dangerous item or process for something safer.
• Engineering controls: Redesign the workspace or equipment to reduce exposure.
• Administrative controls: Implement policies, processes and regular training.
• Personal protective equipment: Use gear like helmets, masks or gloves – but only when other controls aren’t enough.

Following this approach not only protects worker safety, it creates smarter, safer systems across your organization. By applying these best practices consistently, organizations can move from reactive fixes to long-term, proactive safety management.

Putting safety guidelines into practice

Worker safety should never be treated as an add-on; it belongs at the core of every organization’s strategy. It starts at the top, with leaders who visibly champion both the physical and mental wellbeing of their teams. When health and safety are regular items on Board agendas, when senior staff respond to concerns in real time, and when everyone follows the rules without exception, the message is clear: people matter.

To put that commitment into action, here are some essential safety guidelines every organization should follow:

• Define your OHS policy clearly and share it across the organization. It should reflect your priorities and show employees you’re serious about protecting them.
• Assess workplace hazards early and involve your team in the process. Frontline insight helps you spot and address risks before they escalate.
• Put the right controls in place. Eliminate risks wherever possible, adopt safer processes and make sure workers have the equipment, time and support they need to do the job safely.
• Make training accessible to everyone – including part-time, remote or night-shift workers. Help people understand how to stay safe and what to do in an emergency.
• Encourage open, two-way communication by creating a safe space for workers to report issues. Regular meetings can help maintain ongoing dialogue around health and safety.
• Involve workers in OHS decisions. Don’t wait until after a decision is made – bring them into the process from the start.
• Track performance using safety audits, near-miss reports and feedback to understand what’s working – and what needs improvement.
• Update your systems regularly, gaining insights from audits, incident data and frontline experience.

Aligning these efforts with International Standards like ISO 45001 is key to improving employee health and safety and reducing workplace hazards. This globally recognized OHS framework not only supports compliance, it helps embed a culture of continuous improvement, empowering workers to play an active role in creating safer, more dynamic workplaces.

Safety tips for work

A safe and healthy workplace isn’t just about formal safety guidelines and protocols; it is reinforced in day-to-day practices and behaviours that build trust, demonstrate care and create an environment where everyone can thrive.

As an employer, you set the tone. Implementing a few straightforward workplace safety tips can significantly enhance both safety and productivity. Ensure everyone understands that health and safety are collective responsibilities. Looking out for yourself and others can make a big difference.

Encourage proactive behaviour:

• If someone is lifting improperly, offer guidance on safer techniques.
• Address hazards like spills or obstacles immediately rather than ignoring them.
• Check in with colleagues who appear stressed, fatigued or overwhelmed, whether due to unfamiliar tasks, tight deadlines or personal challenges.

Never assume someone else will handle it. If you’re unable to resolve an issue independently, seek assistance.

Involving workers

Let’s face it: No one knows the daily grind better than those on the front lines. Your workers are the eyes, ears, and sometimes the noses, of your organization. Involving them in OHS isn’t just smart – it’s essential. So, how do you get everyone on board?

To foster meaningful involvement:

• Establish a collaborative OHS team: Include representatives from all levels – managers, employees and contractors – to ensure diverse perspectives in safety discussions.
• Simplify hazard reporting: Implement user-friendly tools, such as mobile apps or suggestion boxes, to encourage anonymized reporting of workplace hazards and unmanaged risks.
• Rotate safety responsibilities: Get employees to take turns in safety, promoting ownership and a deeper understanding of safety protocols.
• Provide comprehensive training: Offer regular, accessible training sessions tailored to various roles and schedules, ensuring all workers, including part-time and remote staff, are equipped with the knowledge to maintain a safe work environment. When explaining workplace safety tips, use simplified language. The goal is to keep it clear, direct and easy for everyone to understand.

Remember, worker safety is a team sport. By fostering a culture where everyone feels empowered, you’re not just reducing workplace risks, you’re building a stronger, more connected team.

• ISO 45001:2018Systèmes de management de la santé et de la sécurité au travail

How worker safety builds business success

Investing in OHS is more than just the right thing to do on a human level – it’s a business strategy that drives sustainable success.

Here’s how prioritizing worker safety creates tangible value for employers:

• Lower costs: Preventing accidents reduces disruptions, healthcare expenses and insurance premiums.
• Regulatory compliance: Stay ahead of evolving regulations, avoiding fines and reputational damage.
• Enhanced productivity: A workplace focused on worker health, safety and wellbeing improves morale and drives peak performance.
• Reduced presenteeism, absenteeism and turnover: Healthier workers are more engaged, motivated and loyal.
• Stronger brand reputation: Demonstrating commitment to health, safety and wellbeing attracts and retains top talent and builds client trust.
• Operational efficiency: Safer processes lead to long-term profitability and growth.

Reinventing safety for the modern workplace

The future of OHS is already here. Smart apps, wearable tech and IoT sensors are transforming how we detect and respond to danger, delivering real-time alerts to prevent health issues before they happen. AI and machine learning take it a step further, enabling organizations to predict risks before they escalate, while automation and ergonomic innovations are redesigning jobs to remove people from harm’s way.

But progress brings its own challenges. From radiation exposure in healthcare to mental fatigue in hyper-connected roles, workplace hazards are evolving fast. That’s why hazard assessments, safety controls and training must evolve too – because what kept workers safe yesterday might not be enough tomorrow.

The organizations that thrive will be those that move with the times, embedding worker safety into every process and treating OHS as a strategic priority – not a checkbox. Because in today’s world, protecting your people is protecting your business.