OSHA 10: General Workplace Safety Fundamentals

Recognizing Workplace Hazards

Workplace hazards are dangers or conditions that can cause injury, illness, or death to employees. As an entry-level worker, developing the ability to identify and recognize these hazards is your first line of defense against accidents and injuries. This foundational skill is at the heart of workplace safety and is central to the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Training program.

What Are Workplace Hazards?

Workplace hazards exist in nearly every industry and can take many forms. They may be physical dangers like equipment, machinery, or unstable surfaces, or they can be chemical, biological, or ergonomic in nature. Some hazards are obvious and visible, while others are hidden or develop gradually over time. Recognizing hazards requires awareness, training, and a commitment to observing your work environment carefully.

Common Types of Workplace Hazards

The OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Training course covers several major hazard categories that affect workers across most industries:

• Electrical Hazards: Damaged cords, exposed wiring, overloaded circuits, and improper grounding can cause electrocution or fires.
• Walking and Working Surfaces: Slippery floors, uneven ground, cluttered pathways, and falls from heights are leading causes of workplace injuries.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Failure to use or maintain proper protective gear exposes workers to injury from flying objects, chemicals, radiation, or noise.
• Hazard Communication: Workers must understand how to identify and safely handle dangerous chemicals and substances in the workplace.

Your Role in Hazard Recognition

As a worker, you have rights and responsibilities when it comes to hazard recognition. OSHA empowers employees to be active participants in their own safety. This means you should:

1. Stay alert to conditions in your work area that could cause harm
2. Report hazards to your supervisor or safety officer immediately
3. Ask questions if you're unsure about safe procedures
4. Participate in safety meetings and training programs
5. Use proper procedures and protective equipment as required

Creating a Culture of Safety

Effective hazard recognition is not a one-time event—it's an ongoing process. Your workplace should have a safety and health program in place that includes regular inspections, incident reporting, and continuous improvement. When you and your coworkers actively recognize and communicate hazards, you create a safer environment for everyone.

Taking Action

When you identify a workplace hazard, don't ignore it. Document what you see, report it through the proper channels, and work with your employer to find solutions. If you believe a hazard poses serious risk, you have the right to report it to OSHA. Remember: recognizing hazards is not about blame—it's about preventing injuries and protecting lives.

By completing the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Training and applying these hazard recognition principles, you're taking a critical step toward building a safer workplace for yourself and your colleagues.

Hierarchy of Controls and Hazard Management

The hierarchy of controls is a foundational safety framework that OSHA and NIOSH recommend for identifying and managing workplace hazards. Rather than relying on a single approach, this system ranks hazard control methods from most to least effective, helping employers systematically reduce risk and protect workers.

The Five Levels of the Hierarchy

The hierarchy consists of five distinct control levels, arranged from most to least effective:

1. Elimination The most effective control removes the hazard entirely from the workplace. This might mean discontinuing a dangerous process altogether or redesigning work to avoid the hazard. Elimination is preferred because it permanently solves the problem rather than merely managing risk.

2. Substitution When elimination isn't feasible, substitution replaces a hazardous material, process, or equipment with a safer alternative. For example, replacing a toxic chemical with a less harmful one accomplishes the same goal while reducing exposure risk.

3. Engineering Controls Engineering controls isolate workers from hazards through physical changes to the work environment. Examples include installing ventilation systems, machine guards, noise barriers, or automated equipment. These controls modify the workplace itself to reduce hazard exposure.

4. Administrative Controls These controls involve changing work practices, policies, and procedures. Examples include rotating workers to limit exposure time, implementing lockout/tagout procedures, providing safety training, and establishing work schedules that minimize hazard contact. While less effective than engineering solutions, administrative controls complement other measures.

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) PPE is the least effective level and should be used only when other controls are inadequate or infeasible. PPE includes hard hats, gloves, respirators, and safety glasses—it protects individual workers but doesn't eliminate the underlying hazard.

Implementing the Hierarchy Effectively

When addressing a workplace hazard, employers must work through the hierarchy systematically, starting at the top. Each control option must meet the feasibility standard: it should be suitable for the hazard, appropriate to the risk level, compliant with regulations, not overly burdensome, effective and reliable, readily available, and cost-effective over time.

Importantly, multiple controls often work together. A comprehensive safety strategy may combine elimination of the most dangerous aspects with engineering controls, administrative policies, and appropriate PPE. Worker involvement is essential throughout this process—employees can identify hazards and suggest practical solutions.

Why the Hierarchy Matters

The hierarchy provides a logical, evidence-based approach to safety decision-making. By prioritizing permanent, systematic solutions over temporary protective measures, workplaces reduce injuries and illnesses more effectively. This framework also ensures that safety investments target the highest-impact controls, making workplaces safer while managing costs responsibly.

Fall Prevention and Protection

Fall protection is one of the most critical components of workplace safety. According to OSHA, fall protection encompasses any equipment, device, or system that prevents a worker from falling from an elevation or mitigates the effects of a fall. Understanding fall hazards and implementing proper protection measures can save lives in any workplace.

Why Fall Protection Matters

Falls represent a serious threat to worker safety across all industries. In the construction industry alone, falls are the leading cause of death, accounting for a substantial portion of workplace fatalities. This reality underscores why OSHA has developed comprehensive fall protection standards and why employers must take fall hazards seriously.

OSHA's Fall Protection Requirements

OSHA requires employers to set up the workplace to prevent employees from falling off overhead platforms, elevated work stations, or into holes in the floor and walls. Additionally, fall protection must be provided when workers are exposed to fall hazards over dangerous equipment and machinery, regardless of the fall distance. This broad requirement ensures comprehensive coverage across different work environments.

Fall protection standards differ depending on the industry. Construction has specific OSHA standards for fall protection, while general industry and maritime operations follow different but equally important regulations. Employers must know which standards apply to their workplace and ensure compliance.

Training Requirements

OSHA's fall protection standard requires employers to provide fall protection training to employees before they are exposed to fall hazards. This training is mandatory and essential for worker safety. Effective fall protection training helps workers:

• Identify fall hazards in their specific work environment
• Understand OSHA regulations governing fall protection
• Evaluate fall risks and recognize dangerous situations
• Master lifesaving equipment and proper usage techniques
• Prevent dangerous situations before they occur

Competent Person Responsibilities

Supervisors and workers with safety responsibilities should consider taking specialized training, such as an OSHA Competent Person Fall Protection course. These advanced courses prepare safety professionals to:

• Protect others from fall hazards
• Evaluate safety compliance in the workplace
• Assess and analyze fall risks
• Ensure proper implementation of fall protection systems

Key Takeaways

Effective fall prevention requires a comprehensive approach combining:

• Workplace design that minimizes fall hazards
• Proper equipment selection and maintenance
• Employee training on hazard recognition and protection methods
• Supervision by competent personnel
• Regular assessment of fall risks and compliance

By taking fall protection seriously and ensuring all workers understand their responsibilities, employers create safer workplaces where falls and their devastating consequences can be prevented. Every employee deserves to work in an environment where fall hazards are properly managed and where protective measures are in place before they are needed.

Electrical Safety

Electrical hazards are among the most dangerous workplace risks, capable of causing serious injuries or fatalities in seconds. As an entry-level worker, understanding electrical safety fundamentals is critical to protecting yourself and your coworkers. The OSHA 10 General Industry training program emphasizes electrical hazards as a core topic because electrical accidents are preventable when workers recognize hazards and follow safe practices.

Understanding Electrical Hazards

Electrical hazards exist in nearly every workplace, from obvious sources like power lines and electrical panels to less obvious ones like damaged cords, wet conditions around electrical equipment, and improperly grounded tools. The primary dangers from electrical contact include:

• Electrocution – direct contact with live electrical current
• Electrical burns – thermal injuries from arcs or contact with hot surfaces
• Explosions and fires – caused by electrical faults or sparks igniting flammable materials
• Indirect injuries – falls or other trauma resulting from electrical shock

Electricity can cause injury or death even at relatively low voltages. The human body is an excellent conductor, meaning current can flow through it easily, damaging the heart, nervous system, and muscles.

Identifying Common Electrical Hazards

Effective electrical safety starts with hazard recognition. Walk through your workplace and look for:

• Damaged, frayed, or exposed wiring on cords and equipment
• Wet or damp conditions near electrical equipment or outlets
• Overloaded outlets or circuits (multiple plugs in one outlet)
• Missing ground pins on three-prong plugs
• Improper use of extension cords as permanent solutions
• Electrical equipment used in wet environments without ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection
• Unlabeled electrical panels or circuit breakers

Safe Electrical Work Practices

OSHA regulations require employers to implement safe work practices, and workers must follow them consistently. Key practices include:

• Never work on live electrical circuits unless absolutely necessary and proper precautions are in place
• Use properly grounded tools and equipment – check for intact ground pins before use
• Keep electrical equipment away from water and moisture – this is especially critical in bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor areas
• Use GFCI protection in wet locations; these devices shut off power within milliseconds if a fault is detected
• Report damaged equipment immediately – do not attempt to repair it yourself
• Wear appropriate PPE when working near electrical hazards, such as insulated gloves and safety glasses
• De-energize equipment before servicing whenever possible

Your Role in Electrical Safety

As a worker, you have the right to a safe workplace, and this includes protection from electrical hazards. This means you should:

• Ask questions if you're unsure about electrical safety procedures
• Report hazards to your supervisor immediately
• Never bypass safety features or use equipment in ways it wasn't designed
• Participate in electrical safety training and stay current with workplace procedures
• Understand your facility's lockout/tagout procedures if applicable to your role

Electrical safety is everyone's responsibility. By understanding these fundamentals and maintaining vigilance, you significantly reduce the risk of serious injury in your workplace.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Selection and Use

Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as PPE, is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. While engineering controls and safety protocols form the first line of defense, PPE acts as the final shield against injury and illness when other protections cannot eliminate all workplace dangers.

Understanding PPE's Role in Workplace Safety

PPE is not a standalone solution but rather part of a comprehensive safety strategy. Workplace safety is a shared responsibility that begins with identifying risks and implementing the right protections. Organizations must recognize that PPE serves as a critical layer of defense when hazards cannot be completely eliminated through other means. This hierarchical approach ensures that workers have maximum protection against unavoidable workplace exposures.

Types of PPE and Their Applications

Different work environments require different types of protective equipment. The most common categories include:

Eye and Face Protection protects workers from dust, metal or wood fragments, chemical splashes, and infectious fluids. Safety glasses, goggles, and face shields are essential in industries ranging from construction to healthcare.

Hand Protection varies significantly based on the specific hazard. Nitrile gloves provide chemical resistance for laboratory and cleaning work, leather gloves protect against welding heat and abrasive materials, cut-resistant gloves made from Kevlar or stainless steel mesh guard against sharp objects, and insulated gloves protect workers handling electrical equipment or working in extreme temperatures.

Other essential PPE categories include respiratory protection for airborne hazards, hearing protection in noisy environments, foot protection from falling objects, and body protection through coveralls or specialized clothing.

Matching Protection to Hazards

The fundamental principle of PPE selection is matching protection to specific hazards. For example, splash-resistant goggles are appropriate for chemical handling, while heat-resistant gloves are necessary for foundry work. This hazard-specific approach ensures that workers receive adequate protection without unnecessary equipment that could impede their work.

Developing an Effective PPE Program

A comprehensive PPE program must address several critical components. Organizations must first identify and assess all workplace hazards to determine what PPE is necessary. Then, they must establish clear procedures for selection, maintenance, and use of PPE across all affected areas.

Employee training is essential—workers must understand which PPE is required for their tasks, how to properly wear and adjust equipment, when to replace worn or damaged gear, and how to care for their protective equipment. Training should be ongoing and adapted as work conditions change.

Finally, organizations must implement monitoring systems to ensure the program remains effective over time. This includes regular inspections of PPE, assessment of whether equipment is being used correctly, and adjustments to the program based on incident reports and near-miss observations.

Employer Responsibilities

Employers are responsible for providing PPE required to comply with OSHA standards. This financial responsibility ensures that cost is not a barrier to worker protection. Organizations must also ensure that selected PPE fits properly and is maintained in good condition, replacing damaged or worn items promptly.

By implementing these principles—hazard identification, appropriate selection, proper training, and ongoing program management—organizations create a strong safety culture where PPE serves its intended purpose of protecting workers from serious injury and illness.

Ergonomics and Injury Prevention

Ergonomics is the science of fitting a job to a person rather than forcing a person to fit the job. In the workplace, ergonomics focuses on prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)—injuries affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves caused by workplace activities and conditions.

Understanding Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders are among the most common workplace injuries. Workers across many industries face exposure to risk factors that contribute to MSDs, including:

• Lifting heavy items and repetitive bending motions
• Overhead reaching and awkward body postures
• Pushing and pulling heavy loads
• Repetitive tasks that strain the same muscle groups
• Prolonged static postures that fatigue muscles over time

When workers are repeatedly exposed to these risk factors without proper ergonomic controls, their likelihood of injury increases significantly. The financial and human impact is substantial—workplace MSDs result in lost productivity, increased healthcare costs, and worker suffering.

The Role of Ergonomics in Prevention

Ergonomic principles help reduce the number and severity of work-related injuries by redesigning tasks, workstations, and tools to match worker capabilities. Effective ergonomics increases productivity while reducing muscle fatigue and injury risk. This approach recognizes that one-size-fits-all solutions don't work; instead, jobs must be adapted to accommodate individual worker differences in strength, flexibility, and working capacity.

Key Ergonomic Strategies

Implementing ergonomic improvements requires a systematic approach:

• Job analysis: Identify hazardous tasks and risk factors specific to each job
• Workstation design: Adjust heights, distances, and layouts to minimize awkward postures
• Tool and equipment selection: Choose equipment that reduces force and repetition
• Work practice changes: Rotate tasks, include rest breaks, and vary activities throughout the day
• Training and awareness: Educate workers about proper body mechanics and early warning signs of injury

Integration with Safety Programs

Ergonomics is not isolated from other safety efforts. An effective ergonomic process uses the principles of a comprehensive safety and health program to identify and address MSD hazards. This means ergonomic improvements should be part of your workplace's broader hazard assessment and control strategies, alongside electrical safety, fall protection, personal protective equipment, and other critical areas covered in OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Training.

Recognizing Early Warning Signs

Workers should watch for early indicators of ergonomic problems: persistent muscle soreness, numbness, tingling, or pain that worsens during or after work. Reporting these symptoms early allows management to implement corrective measures before serious injury develops.

By understanding ergonomic principles and actively participating in ergonomic improvements, you contribute to creating a safer, more productive workplace where injuries are prevented rather than treated.

Incident Response, Reporting, and Investigation

When a workplace incident occurs—whether it's a minor injury, serious accident, or near-miss event—the response that follows is critical to preventing future harm. Understanding how to respond to incidents, report them properly, and investigate their causes forms a cornerstone of effective workplace safety management.

Why Incident Investigation Matters

Incident investigation is not about blame; it's about prevention. According to OSHA, investigating a worksite incident—including fatalities, injuries, illnesses, or close calls—provides employers and workers the opportunity to identify hazards in their operations and shortcomings in their safety and health programs. Most importantly, it enables organizations to identify and implement the corrective actions necessary to prevent future incidents.

Many organizations make a critical mistake by stopping at the surface cause. It's easy to conclude that an incident was simply due to worker carelessness or failure to follow a procedure. However, effective incident investigations must look beyond immediate causes to uncover the underlying conditions, system failures, or hazard exposures that allowed the incident to happen in the first place.

The Incident Investigation Process

A proper incident investigation follows a structured approach:

1. Immediate Response: Secure the incident scene, provide first aid if needed, and ensure no further injuries occur.

2. Data Collection: Gather information about what happened, including witness statements, photographs of the scene, equipment condition, and environmental factors. Interview workers involved while details are fresh.

3. Root Cause Analysis: Go beyond surface-level explanations. Ask "why?" multiple times. Was there a missing safeguard? Did training fall short? Was hazard communication inadequate? Were maintenance procedures not followed?

4. Documentation: Record all findings clearly and comprehensively. This documentation is essential for identifying patterns and trends across incidents.

5. Corrective Actions: Develop and implement specific, measurable steps to address root causes. These might include engineering controls, procedural changes, additional training, or enhanced supervision.

Reporting Requirements

Different incidents have different reporting requirements. Serious injuries, fatalities, and hospitalizations must be reported to OSHA within specific timeframes. Beyond legal requirements, prompt internal reporting ensures that:

• Medical care is provided quickly
• The incident scene is preserved for investigation
• Management can take immediate corrective action
• Workers see that safety concerns are taken seriously

Your Role as a Worker

As an employee, you have rights under OSHA regulations. You have the right to report hazards and incidents without fear of retaliation. You can request an OSHA inspection if you believe conditions are unsafe. Your input during incident investigations is invaluable—you often have the clearest understanding of what actually happened and what conditions contributed to the incident.

Participating in incident reporting and investigation is not optional—it's a responsibility you share with your employer to create a safer workplace for everyone. By engaging honestly and completely in this process, you help prevent the same incident from happening to your coworkers.