Safe Work Practices Topics under this Section are presented in alphabetical order for ease of reference. Nevertheless, from time to time, DOL employees do raise air quality complaints. Therefore, it is appropriate to inform new employees that if they suspect they are being exposed to air quality or ventilation problems, they should report that information to their supervisors. They can help prevent injuries by recognizing and reporting suspected electrical hazards. In an emergency, every second counts.
Some jobs fail to allow for the physical limits of the individual who performs that job.
Poorly designed workstations, for example, require employees to work in ways that may cause excessive physical stress and strain. Work requirements like these take their toll on employees. The short term effects might include discomfort, fatigue, eye strain, aches and pains. In addition, when employees are tired, uncomfortable, or in pain, they may become distracted, increasing their risk of accident or injury. Ergonomics uses the knowledge from many different sciences to understand the effects of poor job design and to identify job stresses that may cause excessive fatigue, illness or injury.