What is considered a workplace?

The workplace can take a variety of settings, such as outdoors among nature, inside
an office or remotely
while traveling.Regardless of the setting, the most productive workplaces possess
an efficient and positive
environment where employees have the tools they need. Understanding what a
workplace is and how to
create a productive environment are important factors for leaders in building a
business.

What is a workplace?

A workplace or place of employment is a location where people perform tasks, jobs

and projects for their
employer. Types of workplaces vary across industries and can be inside a building
or outdoors.
Workplaces can be mobile, and some people may work in different locations on
various days.
The growth of technology has led to a new type of workplace, a virtual one,
allowing people to work remotely.

Office
An office is a common workplace type where employees of a company work from a
centralized location.
Your company’s office can consist of an entire complex, an individual building,
a floor in a shared building or a section of a co-working unit.

Home office
Businesses that do not need people to complete tasks in a centralized location can
benefit from allowing
their employees to work remotely. The required software, equipment and training
are provided for employees,
and they complete their work remotely. Some people designate a separate room in
their home with a
desk and computer to perform their work. Businesses may have flexible work
schedules for their
remote employees or set hours when everyone needs to be online.

Factory or distribution center

People work in factories or distribution centers in many industries, including
food, apparel,
electronics and automobiles. They may be located near the business’s corporate
office or at separate locations.
Factory workers work on the production line, making the final product. Distribution
center employees receive
and sort products to be sent to stores or customers.

Purpose of the workplace

Workplaces help businesses deliver their products or services to consumers in an
efficient way.
Corporate team members use their place of work to collaborate and develop new
ideas, products and services
to offer to their customers. Businesses use factories to create their product and
distribution centers to
coordinate the shipment of the product to stores or directly to the consumer.
Stores exist to sell the product to consumers by giving a space for customers to
physically see the product.

Workplace safety refers to the working environment at a company and encompasses all
factors that impact
the safety, health, and well-being of employees. This can include environmental
hazards, unsafe working
conditions or processes, drug and alcohol abuse, and workplace violence.

There are many definitions for hazard but the most common definition when talking
about workplace health and
safety is “A hazard is any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health
effects on something or someone.”
... Hazard – a potential source of harm to a worker.

These are hazards that create unsafe working conditions. For example, exposed wires
or a damaged carpet might
result in a tripping hazard. These are sometimes included under the category of
physical hazards.