Compliance

Health and safety in the workplace examples

January 6, 2026workplace

Health and Safety in the Workplace Examples (and How to Apply Them)

If you’re searching for health and safety in the workplace examples, you’re likely trying to do two things at once: protect employees and meet legal compliance expectations. Below are practical, real-world examples of workplace safety tips you can implement immediately—plus the laws, documentation, and posting requirements that help create a safe workplace environment and reduce liability.

For broader context on what counts as workplace safety (and how it differs from occupational health), see SwiftSDS’s guide to define workplace safety.

What “work environment and safety” means under U.S. compliance expectations

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act’s General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)), employers must provide a workplace “free from recognized hazards” that are likely to cause serious harm. OSHA standards go further in specific areas (e.g., hazard communication, PPE, walking-working surfaces). Meanwhile, wage/hour, anti-discrimination, and leave laws shape a safe environment by reducing coercion, fatigue risks, and retaliation concerns.

A compliant approach combines:

  • Hazard identification and controls
  • Training and communication
  • Incident reporting and follow-up
  • Required postings and worker notices (federal, state, and sometimes local)

To map safety into a broader compliance program, review compliance in the workplace.

Health and safety in the workplace examples (by hazard type)

1) Slip, trip, and fall prevention (common safety issues in the workplace)

Example controls that work:

  • Keep walkways clear; implement “no storage in aisles” rules.
  • Use floor marking tape and spill kits in high-risk areas.
  • Require prompt cleanup procedures with assigned ownership (not “everyone’s job,” which becomes no one’s job).
  • Add anti-slip mats at entrances and near sinks.

Compliance tie-ins:

  • OSHA walking-working surfaces rules (and the General Duty Clause) commonly drive enforcement for these safety problems in the workplace.

Actionable tip: Build a weekly inspection checklist (entrances, stairs, cords, lighting). Store completed checklists for audit defensibility.

2) Hazard communication and chemical safety (employee right-to-know)

If you use cleaning products, solvents, paints, or lab reagents, hazard communication is a core safety of workers issue.

Example controls that work:

  • Maintain an up-to-date chemical inventory.
  • Ensure SDS access is immediate (digital or binder—access must be reliable).
  • Label all secondary containers (spray bottles, jars).
  • Train employees on pictograms, PPE, first aid, and spill response.

Compliance tie-ins:

  • OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200)
  • Many states also reinforce “right to know” concepts.

SwiftSDS also covers this topic in employee right to know and broader program setup in health and safety policies and procedures.

3) PPE and job hazard analysis (JHA) for task-based risks

Safety concerns at work often show up in “routine” tasks: cutting boxes, using power tools, handling sharps, or mixing chemicals.

Example controls that work:

  • Conduct a JHA for top 10 tasks by injury frequency.
  • Assign PPE by task (gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, respirators when applicable).
  • Post PPE requirements at point of use—not just in a handbook.

Compliance tie-ins:

  • OSHA PPE standards (29 CFR 1910 Subpart I) require assessment and proper selection/training.

Actionable tip: Treat PPE as the last line of defense—document engineering and administrative controls first (guards, ventilation, scheduling, job rotation).

4) Ergonomics and material handling (reducing strains and sprains)

Musculoskeletal injuries are among the most expensive and persistent workplace incidents.

Example controls that work:

  • Use lift assists, carts, pallet jacks, and adjustable workstations.
  • Set team-lift thresholds and train on safe lifting.
  • Rotate repetitive tasks and schedule micro-breaks.

Compliance tie-ins:

  • While OSHA doesn’t have a single “ergonomics standard” for general industry, the General Duty Clause applies where recognized ergonomic hazards exist.

Actionable tip: Track “near-miss discomfort reports” (tingling, soreness) to intervene before recordable injuries occur.

5) Workplace violence prevention and harassment response

A truly safe workplace environment includes psychological safety, threat prevention, and clear reporting channels.

Example controls that work:

  • Establish a zero-retaliation reporting process for threats, stalking, and harassment.
  • Train supervisors to respond consistently and document appropriately.
  • Maintain visitor controls (badges, check-in) where relevant.
  • Investigate reports quickly; implement interim protections.

Compliance tie-ins:

  • Harassment is regulated under federal and state civil rights laws; failures can create significant liability.
  • OSHA may cite employers under the General Duty Clause when workplace violence hazards are recognized and unaddressed.

For policy and legal context, see harassment in the workplace laws.

6) Drug and alcohol impairment controls (high-impact safety problems)

Impairment is a major contributor to incidents involving driving, machinery, and customer-facing conflict.

Example controls that work:

  • Implement a written policy covering reasonable suspicion, post-incident testing (where lawful), and EAP referrals.
  • Train supervisors on objective signs and documentation.
  • Ensure consistency to avoid discrimination claims.

Compliance tie-ins:

How to promote safety in the workplace: a practical compliance checklist

H3 1) Build a written program employees can actually follow

Policies should match your operations and be auditable. SwiftSDS provides guidance on writing and maintaining programs in health and safety policies and procedures.

Include:

  • Roles/responsibilities (who inspects, who approves corrective actions)
  • Reporting methods (anonymous option if feasible)
  • Training frequency and documentation
  • Contractor/temporary worker safety onboarding

H3 2) Standardize inspections, corrective actions, and documentation

Create a closed-loop system:

  1. Identify hazard
  2. Assign owner + deadline
  3. Fix it
  4. Verify fix
  5. Record evidence (photos, receipts, training logs)

If you’re unsure what qualifies as an unsafe condition, SwiftSDS’s hazardous work environment explains common scenarios and reporting expectations.

H3 3) Meet posting and notice requirements (federal, state, and local)

Posters and notices support safety by ensuring employees know their rights, reporting avenues, and protections.

Start with Federal (United States) Posting Requirements and then confirm your state and city rules, such as:

If you want to centralize multi-location compliance, SwiftSDS’s compliance poster service can help keep postings current.

Relevant notice examples (Massachusetts + federal):

(Posting requirements vary by workforce type, industry, and location—verify which notices apply to your sites.)

Common safety issues in the workplace: quick red flags to fix now

Use this list to spot safety concerns at work during a walkthrough:

  • Blocked exits, missing exit signs, or locked egress doors during operating hours
  • Unlabeled chemical containers or missing SDS access
  • Extension cords used as permanent wiring or across walkways
  • Employees using box cutters without cut-resistant gloves (where needed)
  • Untrained forklift or powered industrial truck operation
  • Repeated complaints of harassment, threats, or intimidation without documented follow-up
  • Temps/contractors working before completing safety orientation

FAQ

What are examples of health and safety in the workplace for office settings?

Common examples include ergonomic workstation setup, clear walkways to prevent trips, electrical safety (cord management), indoor air quality response processes, and harassment prevention/reporting. Office environments still fall under OSHA’s General Duty Clause if recognized hazards exist.

How do I prove I’m promoting workplace safety during an audit or investigation?

Maintain documentation: hazard assessments, training rosters, inspection logs, corrective action records, and incident investigations. Also ensure required notices are posted per your jurisdiction (start with Federal (United States) Posting Requirements).

Are workplace posters actually part of health and safety compliance?

Yes—posters and notices communicate rights and protections tied to a safe work environment (wage protections, anti-discrimination rules, injury reporting). Multi-state employers often use a managed solution like a compliance poster service to reduce gaps.

Creating a safe workplace isn’t just about avoiding injuries—it’s about building repeatable systems that address safety issues in the workplace, document controls, and meet federal/state requirements. If you’re expanding locations or updating policies, SwiftSDS’s health and safety services can support ongoing compliance and audit readiness.