Unless you work in a career that has a regular risk of injury, you may never think about job safety, but no matter where you work, you should always follow simple work safety tips. Although your workplace environment may seem safe, there are always some hazards to prepare for.

Dress Appropriately
Always consider safety when you choose what to wear to work. It may sound silly, but the clothes you wear at work can put you at risk of injury.

For example, if you work with machinery, avoid wearing anything that has loose ends that may get caught in the machines.

When driving during the daytime is a part of your job, make sure you have sunglasses to prevent the sun's glaring in your eyes.

If you have to walk on non-carpeted floors or take long walking tours, avoid slippery dress shoes and high heals. They can cause you to slip and fall or put stress on your leg muscles and joints.

Report Harassment
Everyone deserves to work in a safe environment free of harassment. Sexual harassment is often the most heard-about, but is not the only kind. Any gestures, jokes, unwarranted threats or demands based on a person's race, gender, age or religion is a form of harassment.

Even though employers can spend thousands of dollars on training to prevent and educate workers about the various types of harassment and their consequences, they cannot always prevent inappropriate behavior by employees. There are, however, steps you can take to safeguard yourself from a hostile environment.

The first step is to let the person know that you do not welcome his behavior and you want him to stop. Document the account; write down what happened, who witnessed it, and when it occurred. Then, as recommended by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, report the behavior to your company's human resources department or the designated employee complaint resource. This will allow management to step in and handle the situation.

It is important to document the harassment, so that if the harassment continues, further action can be taken. It also shows that you took the responsible and necessary steps to resolve the issue.

Unreported harassment can get progressively worse, creating a more hostile work environment. In some cases, unchecked sexual harassment can subject the unreceptive victim to vindictive reprisals that can include physical violence.

Take Precautions When Leaving in the Dark
If possible, avoid being at work by yourself beyond business hours. When you do have to stay, make sure someone you know or a coworker knows how long you will be at work. If you have to work an overnight shift, it is imperative that you take extra personal safety precautions.

Do not rely on your employer to keep you safe. USA Today reported in the article "Late Shift Proves Deadly to More Fast-Food Workers" that working late hours puts you at greater risk of being a victim of violence.

To protect yourself, lock all doors and windows. Follow the safety guidelines established for your job. When entering or exiting work alone or in the dark, use a security escort if available. Always park in a well-lit area. Inform management right away of poorly lit areas in the parking lot or burned-out light bulbs.

Have the right key in hand and ready to unlock your car door so you do not have to take time to fumble with your keys. Check that no one is hiding in your back seat before entering your car, and lock your door immediately when you get in. It can also help to have a panic button handy in your car or on a key chain. Let your significant other know when you are leaving, but avoid talking on the phone as you walk to the car.