The answer to this question is that it is important to identify hazards/dangers in the workplace because they can pose a threat to the health and safety of employees and put them at risk of injury or illness. Identifying potential risks within the work environment allows employers to take proactive steps towards preventing accidents, which could result in costly litigation or other negative consequences (Ling et al., 2018). Companies are legally obligated under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations to protect their employees from foreseeable hazards, which means they must be aware of all potential dangers on their premises and take appropriate measures to mitigate them (OSH Act 1970).

If workplace hazards are ignored however there can be serious implications for those involved. This includes increased risk of physical injury due to unsafe working conditions as well as psychological stress caused by fear of an accident occurring among other factors (Gottlieb et al., 2017). In addition, ignoring occupational safety can lead to costly lawsuits if an employee gets injured on the job due neglectful oversight from management. It also has consequence for businesses’ reputation if word about hazardous conditions spreads which could damage their relationship with customers suppliers.