Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers | November 3, 2025 | Workers' Compensation
Every job comes with some level of risk, but certain work environments are especially dangerous. Whether you spend your days on a construction site, in a factory, or behind an office desk, workplace hazards can be found anywhere.
From heavy machinery and chemical exposure to repetitive motion and poor ergonomics, these hazards can lead to serious injuries if they aren’t properly managed. Understanding the most common workplace dangers—and how to prevent them—can help you stay safe and protect your rights if an accident occurs.
Common Work Hazards
What are some common physical hazards in the workplace? The answer to that question depends on where you work. Every workplace is different. The dangers that are common in a restaurant, for example, are quite different from those at a logging camp. Work hazards typically fall into specific categories.
Physical Hazards
These types of hazards usually result from poor maintenance or carelessness. For example, if you work in a restaurant and somebody spills something on the floor, that represents a slipping hazard until it is cleaned. Poorly maintained equipment is also a common cause of physical hazards.
Biological Hazards
These hazards can cause diseases, particularly if they come into contact with your skin or are inhaled. If you work in any industry that involves bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms, you should pay close attention to your health.
Chemical Hazards
Chemical hazards typically cause various types of burns. If a cleaning product comes into contact with your skin, for example, it could result in a rash or chemical burn, depending on how long it remains in contact. Similarly, if you inhale a chemical hazard, it can cause lung damage due to an internal chemical burn.
Ergonomic Hazards
Even the office can be home to workplace hazards. Do you sit in a chair all day without moving, or do you regularly lift heavy boxes? Either activity can cause musculoskeletal damage. These are subtle hazards that you may need a workers’ compensation lawyer to help you identify.
Psychosocial Hazards
These are the types of hazards that aren’t tied directly to where you work, but rather who you work with. Any kind of bullying or harassment can cause stress or mental health concerns.
Workplace Hazards and Safety
Both employees and employers must prioritize safety in the workplace, each in their own way.
What Employers Can Do
Your employer should educate you on safety procedures and provide you with personal protective equipment. The better you understand workplace dangers, the more likely you are to avoid them.
If an employer doesn’t provide appropriate training and safety gear to employees, they might be liable for any injuries the employee suffers. Typically, employers can avoid liability if they purchase workers’ compensation insurance. However, this doesn’t protect them when they ignore safety protocols.
What Employees Can Do
The most important activity that every employee should do to protect themself from workplace hazards is to identify dangers in the workplace. If you see something that you recognize as a danger to you or others, you should notify your employer right away. This puts the onus on your employer to resolve the hazard and protects you from harm.
Contact the Lanham Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
While the temptation to cut corners or ignore safety procedures can be strong, it can get you hurt. Respect how dangerous workplace hazards are and avoid them at all costs.If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident, Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
For more information, please contact Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a confidential consultation with a personal injury lawyer. Our team is available to assist clients in Lanham, Frederick, Rockville, Waldorf, Annapolis, and Lexington Park, Maryland.
We proudly serve Charles County, Prince George County its surrounding areas. Visit our law offices at:
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers – Waldorf Office
8 Post Office Rd Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 932-9997
Available 24/7
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers – Lanham Office
4600 Forbes Blvd Ste #200 Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 936-0011
Available 24/7