Office SafetyOffice SafetyOffice SafetyOffice Safety

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Office Related Illness and Injury

Slippery Floors Open File Drawer Poor Lighting Noise Poorly Designed Furniture

Slippery Floors Open File Drawer Poor Lighting Noise Poorly Designed Furniture

Disabling Accidents in an Office

Falls Strains and Overexertion Struck By or Striking Objects Caught in or Between Objects Material Storage

Falls Strains and Overexertion Struck By or Striking Objects Caught in or Between Objects Material Storage

Falls

Most common type of office accident

2 to 2.5 times higher rate than for non-office employees

Most common type of office accident

2 to 2.5 times higher rate than for non-office employees

Preventative Measures Be sure the pathway is clear before you walk Close drawers after use Secure electrical cords and wires away from

walkways Clean up spills immediately Pick-up objects on the floor Report loose carpeting or damaged flooring Never carry anything that obscures your

vision

Be sure the pathway is clear before you walk Close drawers after use Secure electrical cords and wires away from

walkways Clean up spills immediately Pick-up objects on the floor Report loose carpeting or damaged flooring Never carry anything that obscures your

vision

Strains and Overexertion

Safe Lifting Tips– Take a balanced stance, feet

shoulder width apart– Keep your back straight– Lift with your legs – not your back– Do not twist when lifting– Never carry a load that blocks your

vision

Safe Lifting Tips– Take a balanced stance, feet

shoulder width apart– Keep your back straight– Lift with your legs – not your back– Do not twist when lifting– Never carry a load that blocks your

vision

Struck By or Striking Objects

Bumping into doors, desks, file cabinets and open drawers

Bumping into other people Striking open file drawers while

bending down or straightening up Striking sharp objects: office

machines, staples, pins, etc.

Bumping into doors, desks, file cabinets and open drawers

Bumping into other people Striking open file drawers while

bending down or straightening up Striking sharp objects: office

machines, staples, pins, etc.

Objects Striking Employees include:

Supplies sliding from shelves Overbalanced file cabinets Machines (printers, binders)

dropped on feet Doors that suddenly open

Supplies sliding from shelves Overbalanced file cabinets Machines (printers, binders)

dropped on feet Doors that suddenly open

Caught In or Between Objects

Fingers caught in a drawer, door or window

Fingers, hair, clothing caught in office machines

Fingers caught in paper cutter

Fingers caught in a drawer, door or window

Fingers, hair, clothing caught in office machines

Fingers caught in paper cutter

Noise Video Display terminals High-Speed Printers Telephones Fax machines The Human Voice

Video Display terminals High-Speed Printers Telephones Fax machines The Human Voice

Material Storage Boxes, papers and other materials should not

be stored on top of lockers or file cabinets Store heavy objects on lower shelves Aisles, corners, and passageways must

remain unobstructed – NO Stacking in these areas!

Storage areas should be designated and used for that purpose only

Store materials at knee level whenever possible

Boxes, papers and other materials should not be stored on top of lockers or file cabinets

Store heavy objects on lower shelves Aisles, corners, and passageways must

remain unobstructed – NO Stacking in these areas!

Storage areas should be designated and used for that purpose only

Store materials at knee level whenever possible

Office Safety

Accident prevention– Become aware of

potential hazards– Develop a positive

safety attitude

Accident prevention– Become aware of

potential hazards– Develop a positive

safety attitude

First Aid Kit

A first aid kit can be a valuable addition to an office workstation

A first aid kit can be a valuable addition to an office workstation

Workstation Safety

Desktop areaDrawersChairs, mats, and static control

Desktop areaDrawersChairs, mats, and static control

Good housekeeping measures will reduce or eliminate hazards

Work Area Safety

Office furnishings–Always maintain for safety

General office equipment–Always maintain for safety

Office furnishings–Always maintain for safety

General office equipment–Always maintain for safety

Electrical equipment

Can cause serious shock and burn if improperly used or maintained

Examples– Ungrounded Equipment– Overloaded Outlets– Unsafe/non-approved Equipment– Defective or frayed cords– Live parts unguarded– Pulling of plugs to shut off power– Blocking electrical panel doors

Can cause serious shock and burn if improperly used or maintained

Examples– Ungrounded Equipment– Overloaded Outlets– Unsafe/non-approved Equipment– Defective or frayed cords– Live parts unguarded– Pulling of plugs to shut off power– Blocking electrical panel doors

Office Fire Prevention Think about a fire before it starts Learn fire escape routes Participate in practice fire drills on

a regular basis Become familiar with stairways –

elevators may not function during a fire

Think about a fire before it starts Learn fire escape routes Participate in practice fire drills on

a regular basis Become familiar with stairways –

elevators may not function during a fire

Office Safety• Emergency procedures

– Emergency telephone numbers– First aid procedures– Fires – Building evacuation plans

Knowing the evacuation

procedures for a large office building can be critical in

an emergency

Knowing the evacuation

procedures for a large office building can be critical in

an emergency

Office Safety Personal security on the job

– Protecting personal property– Working alone

• Work near a phone and have emergency numbers handy

• Lock doors to your work area• Know when to expect the cleaning staff• Use caution when entering an elevator• Avoid using a restroom away from your work area• Park near the building in a lighted area if possible

Personal security on the job– Protecting personal property– Working alone

• Work near a phone and have emergency numbers handy

• Lock doors to your work area• Know when to expect the cleaning staff• Use caution when entering an elevator• Avoid using a restroom away from your work area• Park near the building in a lighted area if possible

Office Security

Building and office security– Security concerns– Controlling outsider access– Controlling employee access– Detection systems and alarms

Ergonomics Ergonomics

- The study of the effects of the work environment on the health and well-being of employees

Factors– Chairs– Desks– Lighting– Equipment

Ergonomics- The study of the effects of the work

environment on the health and well-being of employees

Factors– Chairs– Desks– Lighting– Equipment

Managing Ergonomic Factors

Ergonomic factors affect productivity

Ergonomic factors affect productivity

Managing Your Office Health

• Adjust the workstation to meet your needs• Take rest breaks often• Do stretching exercises for hands, wrists,

arms, and fingers• Focus your eyes away from the monitor

often• Arrange work materials within easy reach • Use good posture Carpal tunnel syndrome: a repetitive

strain injury caused by placing stress on the hands, wrists, or arms

Workplace Wellness

Factors related to workplace and health issues Stress management Nutrition and weight management Exercise Balancing work and family life

Workplace Wellness Tips for health and well-being

– Avoid interruptions during the workday– Recharge with a nutritional snack– Get an adequate amount of rest and

sleep while away from work– Exercise– Eat healthy meals

Tips for health and well-being– Avoid interruptions during the workday– Recharge with a nutritional snack– Get an adequate amount of rest and

sleep while away from work– Exercise– Eat healthy meals

Workplace Wellness

Benefits for companies that address workplace wellness– Reduced absenteeism– Increased productivity– Higher employee morale

Benefits for companies that address workplace wellness– Reduced absenteeism– Increased productivity– Higher employee morale