6 SMALL BUSINESS
SAFETY HAZARDS
(AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)

You and your employees worked
hard to build your business to
where it is today.

Keep it thriving!
It’s time to find and fix
common safety hazards
in your small business.

1. EXTENSION CORD CHAOS

1. EXTENSION CORD CHAOS
Misuse of extension cords is one of the most common
electrical hazards. Extension cords are meant to be used
on a temporary basis, but are often used as permanent
wiring. This can significantly increase the risk of an
electrical fire. Examine the cords for damage before
use and, to avoid electric shock, be sure your hands
are not wet when plugging and unplugging the cords.

2. UNPROTECTED COMPUTERS

2. UNPROTECTED COMPUTERS
Small to mid-size businesses are at the greatest risk for a
cyberattack. According to the NSBA 2013 Small Business
Technology Survey, nearly half of all small businesses
reported having been the victim of a cyberattack.

2. UNPROTECTED COMPUTERS
Small to mid-size businesses are at the greatest risk for a
cyberattack. According to the NSBA 2013 Small Business
Technology Survey, nearly half of all small businesses
reported having been the victim of a cyberattack.
Although it does not pose a physical
danger, an unprotected computer is
more susceptible to a cyber breach.
This can cause severe issues like
employee identity theft or the
hijacking of your public website.
Protect your company by installing
antivirus and antispyware software,
and by securing your network.

3. DAILY WEAR-AND-TEAR

3. DAILY WEAR-AND-TEAR
Whether you’re in an office or a warehouse, repetitive
daily routines can take a toll on employees’ bodies and
cause chronic conditions. If you work in an office, be sure
that employees are sitting at an ergonomically-friendly
desk and on a chair with lumbar support.

3. DAILY WEAR-AND-TEAR
Whether you’re in an office or a warehouse, repetitive
daily routines can take a toll on employees’ bodies and
cause chronic conditions. If you work in an office, be sure
that employees are sitting at an ergonomically-friendly
desk and on a chair with lumbar support.
Manufacturing business owners should
protect their employees from hearing
loss and overexertion by providing
earplugs and enforcing proper lifting,
machinery use and other
physical work practices.

4. HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS

4. HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS
Toxic substances can cause a wide range of health
and physical hazards. If you have hazardous
chemicals in your workplace, train employees to
correctly handle chemicals and properly respond
in the instance of spills. Provide safety data sheets
to exposed workers and properly label substances
to further reduce the risk of an incident.

5. SICKNESS

5. SICKNESS
As soon as one sick person walks into
the building, everyone is at risk. To
stop a contagious illness in its tracks,
ensure that all employees are aware of
cleanliness and hygiene policies in the
workplace. Also, encourage employees
to stay home if they are feeling sick.
To further prevent illnesses at work,
provide flu shots and wellness checks
for all employees.

6. SLIPS & FALLS

6. SLIPS & FALLS
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, slips,
trips and falls make up 15% of all accidental
deaths per year. Design your workplace and work
processes with this issue in mind. Watch out for
unmarked steps and slippery floors. And on a
day-to-day basis, keep your office clean and
free of clutter.

Watch out for workplace hazards
and keep your employees safe.
Find more insurance tips at:

Sources:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Federal Communications Commission
Information presented in this slideshow was collected from third-party
resources. Grange makes no guarantee with regard to the effectiveness or
validity of the information. Commercial insurance policies are offered through
Grange Mutual Casualty Company, Columbus, OH, and its affiliated
companies. Grange products are not available in all states.