Being aware of the office hazards and dangers is the first step in eliminating them and reducing the odds of injuries occurring.
Slips, Trips and Falls
Universal slip, trip and fall culprits include unattended spills, wet floors, exposed cords, unstable work surfaces, uneven floors, loose rugs and cluttered areas.
Inclement weather conditions, such as rain, snow and ice, create outdoor slip hazards on exterior steps, ramps, walkways, entry and exit areas, and parking lots, and indoor hazards when wet floors are not cleaned up promptly.
->Ice-melting products and nonslip runners can greatly reduce slip, trip and fall hazards during winter months.
-> clean up all spills immediately, and post signs identifying hazards in areas that are being cleaned or that have recently been cleaned, and in areas prone to water accumulation and wet surfaces.
-> office walkways should be kept clear, as boxes and other clutter can create a trip hazard.
-> electrical and telephone cords should also be properly secured and not stretched across aisles or walkways, and carpets should not be frayed or buckled.
Ergonomic Injuries
Office workers spend many hours a day seated at a desk, working on a computer, resulting in ergonomic strains and other injuries related to posture and repetitive movement. These types of hazards can be difficult to detect.
A variety of adjustable chairs, desks, keyboards, etc., is offered to accommodate the widest range of work styles.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers an eTool illustrating general ergonomics guidelines for setting up a computer workstation and performing computer-related tasks:
- Position the chair, keyboard and monitor in a straight line with your body.
- Maintain a relaxed, neutral posture.
- Sit up straight, adjusting the chair to provide firm back support.
- Let your arms hang loosely at the shoulders.
- Keep your elbows at a 90-degree angle while typing.
- Use an adjustable keyboard tray to position your keyboard and mouse at a comfortable height (usually lower than the desk surface). Place
- your mouse next to the keyboard, and keep it as close as possible to your body, to avoid reaching.
- Adjust the chair’s height so that your feet are firmly on the ground.HR will monitor employees for musculoskeletal disorder symptoms. Employees are to report any pain, fatigue, numbness or weakness, as these may be signs of an ergonomics problem and the start of a more serious issue.
Eye Strain
Spending a large portion of your workday at the computer can cause eyestrain. Eyes may become dry and irritated, and workers may begin having trouble focusing. Light levels should be suitable for the work task—for instance, manual detail work may require higher levels of lighting, but staring at a computer monitor does not.
You can cut down on excessive glare by closing blinds on windows and dimming the overhead lights. Correctly positioning monitors slightly below eye level, minimizing screen glare and increasing computer font size all can help alleviate eyestrain.
To reduce eyestrain and fatigue, it is recommended taking a 10-minute break for every hour you spend looking at a computer screen, giving your eyes a rest and focusing on things at varying distances.
Fire Safety
According to the latest available data, fire departments responded to approximately 17,500 office fires in 2012, which resulted in $643 million in property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Routine office inspections could reduce this danger.
Guidelines:
- Power cords should be inspected regularly for wear and be replaced if they are frayed or have exposed wire.
- Cords should never be used if the third prong has been damaged or removed.
- Cords should never overload outlets. The most common causes of fires started by extension cords are improper use and overloading.
- Extension cords should be approved by a certifying laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories, and be used only temporarily to connect one device at a time.
- If employees use space heaters, verify that the appliances are approved for commercial use and have a switch that automatically shuts them off if they tip over. Space heaters should not be placed near combustible materials like paper.
- Objects should never be placed closer than 18 inches below fire-sprinkler heads, to allow a full range of coverage. Emergency-exit routes should never be blocked or locked.
All our employees should be trained in the basic use of fire extinguishers.
Indoor Air Quality
The prevalence of poor indoor air quality has contributed to a rise in occupational asthma and other respiratory disorders, chemical sensitivity and allergies. Some of the reasons for poor air quality are inadequate ventilation systems; office overcrowding; the presence of cleaning chemicals and pesticides; water damage and mold growth; cubicle design that blocks off air flow to work areas; too much or too little humidity; and poor housekeeping, which leads to dirty work environments.
The office’s air quality is to be improved by proper maintenance, cleaning and filtration of the ventilation, heating and air conditioning system. This will help reduce respiratory irritants, infections and illnesses.
We must be attentive to prevent the accumulation of dust, pollen, dirt and other buildup on all surfaces, especially in carpeting, will also cut down on respiratory irritants, infections and illnesses.
Cleanliness and orderliness, too, need to be maintained in order to prevent the spread of illnesses and diseases in the workplace. Restrooms, break rooms, lunch areas and refrigerators should be regularly sanitized, and workers should throw out food before it spoils.
Other hazards
All employees working outside of office environment will be given elaborate personal training and information on prevention of potential hazards.