OFFICE SAFETY PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW

- Office Injuries and Hazards - Accident Statistics - Ergonomics - Design Characteristics - Administrative Action - Emergency Response

INJURIES AND HAZARDS

- Office workers are 50% of all employees & growing . . . .

- 1 of every 27 office workers will be injured.

- Hidden Cost of injuries: * Time off from work * Training replacements * Lowered efficiency * Pain & suffering

INJURIES & HAZARDS CONTINUED

HIDDEN HAZARDS IN THE OFFICE CLOTHING - Snags, pulls, constricting clothing, shoe styles and condition, jewelry & accessories.

FURNITURE- Sharp corners, poor design, congested areas.

OFFICE SUPPLIES - Toxics, irritants, spills, weight.

OFFICE EQUIPMENT - Electrical hazards, moving parts, sharp edges, pinch points.

ACCIDENT STATISTICS

Slips, Trips & Falls - 26% - Improper use of chairs - Lighting - Stools, ladders - Shelf climbing - Cords - Wet floors Over Exertion - 22% - Heavy & awkward loads - Over reaching and stooping Struck By/Against - 18% - Open, unsecured file cabinets - Aisle storage - Paper cutters - Housekeeping

ERGONOMICS

WORKSTATION - Layout & reach - Keyboard & screen height, angle - Chair style, condition - Windows and lighting FURNISHINGS - Anti glare screen - Back & foot rests - Adjustable chair, desk - Monitor size, distance ENVIROMENT - Temperature - Noise - Glare - Rest breaks - Ventilation - Lighting - Work flow - Distractions

DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS

OFFICE LAYOUT - Blind corners - Items projecting into aisles - Aisle space - Access to emergency exits UTILITIES - Minimize phone, electrical cords - Use of GFCI outlets - Extension cords are TEMPORARY - Grounding of cords FURNISHINGS - Rounded, padded edges - Shelves secured Sprinkler clearance (18”) - Missing parts, screws

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION

ACTIVITIES - Safety meetings, communication and regular surveys.

HOUSEKEEPING - Regular clean up, organize office, convenient trash & recycle.

STORAGE PRACTICES - Heavy items low, high use items convenient, small file boxes, no storage in aisles or stairs.

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION CONTINUED

PROPER LIFTING TECHNIQUES - Good grip, keep load close, bend knees, use carts, open path of travel, know when to get help.

EMPLOYEE ATTITUDE & BEHAVIOR Close the drawers, don’t run, follow safety rules, practice good posture, rest breaks, use “common sense”.

EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY - Diet, exercise, health check-ups, personal risk factors.

- Health problems & hobbies as factors.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE Preparation & Planning

- First aid supplies & training, exits, fire extinguishers, evacuation, electrical and chemical safety.

- Emergency operation procedures written and tested.

- Contingencies for fire, weather related, bomb threat, burglary, robbery, intruder, utilities disruption.

- Post-incident analysis should include critique, counseling, stress debriefing, review of procedures.

SUMMARY

- Office workers are growing in number as business changes.

- Exposures and risks are just as real as factory environments.

- Management and employees have a responsibility to assure that issues are identified and addressed.

A “clean, safe and attractive work environment” benefits all of us.