Transcript Office Safety

Office Safety
Beth Frogue
Office Related Illness
and Injury
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Slippery Floors
Open File Drawer
Poor Lighting
Noise
Poorly Designed Furniture
Disabling Accidents in an
Office
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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
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
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
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.
Objects Striking
Employees include:
 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
Noise
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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
Office Safety
 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
Workstation Safety
 Desktop area
 Drawers
 Chairs, 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
Electrical equipment
 Can cause serious shock and burn if
improperly used or maintained
 Examples
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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
Office Safety
• Emergency procedures
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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
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
Office Security
 Building and office security
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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
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Chairs
Desks
Lighting
Equipment
Managing Ergonomic Factors
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
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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
Workplace Wellness
 Benefits for companies that address
workplace wellness
– Reduced absenteeism
– Increased productivity
– Higher employee morale