Office Safety Facts
If you work in an office, you probably come in contact with office safety hazards such as overused office machinery, exposed electrical wires and overstocked supply cabinets that can cause injury on the job. According to the University of Texas, "A large percentage of workplace accidents and injuries occur in office buildings." Office safety is an important fact that shouldn't be ignored. Preventative measures should be taken to avoid office accidents and to make sure everyone who works in an office stays safe.
Types
There are many types of office safety factors that confront the average office worker, such as tripping and falling, strains and overexertion, being struck by or caught in or between objects, materials storage problems, inadequate workstation ergonomics, indoor air quality and ventilation, bad lighting, loud noises, electrical safety and fire prevention.
Effects
An office worker can injure his back, neck and shoulders if he lifts a box of computer paper without using his body correctly. He can also suffer from physical ailments from working at an inadequately designed workstation. Air pollution caused by inadequate ventilation can cause breathing problems and long-term illness. Bad lighting can cause vision problems, eye strain, irritation and fatigue. Excessive noise can result in long-term hearing problems.
Accidents
According to Rice University, "Falls are the most common office accident, accounting for the greatest number of disabling injuries. The disabling injury rate of falls among office workers is 2 to 2.5 times higher than the rate for non-office employees." An office worker can trip and fall over loose carpeting or an open file or desk drawer, an exposed electrical cord or simply from bad lighting. Other potential accidents can occur by being struck by or getting fingers or pieces of clothing caught in or between objects. Office supplies that are stacked too high can fall and seriously injure a worker.
Causes
According to the University of Texas, "Many office accidents are caused by poor housekeeping practices. By keeping the office floor both neat and clean, you can eliminate most slipping, tripping and falling hazards." Most office accidents are caused by tripping, slipping, falling, burning, cutting and pinching hazards. Other causes include bad ergonomic office and workstation design, inadequately designed and dangerous electrical wiring, bad lighting, exposure to toxic substances and inattentive coworkers.
Hazards
Office safety hazards include unstable chairs, improperly stored office supplies, doors, aisles, and fire exits that are blocked by objects such as boxes or furniture, ungrounded electrical equipment, overloaded outlets, unsafe or outdated office machinery, defective electrical cords or improper and hazardous placement, shutting off power by pulling on cords too fast, and by cleaning or repairing equipment that is still plugged in.
Prevention
Prevent office accidents and injuries by closing file drawers after use, using a stepladder when reaching for something high, cleaning spills and messes up right away, and picking up dropped objects. Learn safe lifting techniques, which focus on using the legs and not the back, and institute efficient ergonomic workplace design. Replace light bulbs and old lighting fixtures. Avoid taping electrical cords to the floor or running them underneath carpets. Avoid wearing loose belts, jewelry, scarves and ties around machinery that has moving parts. Following a regular office cleaning and maintenance program will prevent office safety issues from happening.
Types
There are many types of office safety factors that confront the average office worker, such as tripping and falling, strains and overexertion, being struck by or caught in or between objects, materials storage problems, inadequate workstation ergonomics, indoor air quality and ventilation, bad lighting, loud noises, electrical safety and fire prevention.
Effects
An office worker can injure his back, neck and shoulders if he lifts a box of computer paper without using his body correctly. He can also suffer from physical ailments from working at an inadequately designed workstation. Air pollution caused by inadequate ventilation can cause breathing problems and long-term illness. Bad lighting can cause vision problems, eye strain, irritation and fatigue. Excessive noise can result in long-term hearing problems.
Accidents
According to Rice University, "Falls are the most common office accident, accounting for the greatest number of disabling injuries. The disabling injury rate of falls among office workers is 2 to 2.5 times higher than the rate for non-office employees." An office worker can trip and fall over loose carpeting or an open file or desk drawer, an exposed electrical cord or simply from bad lighting. Other potential accidents can occur by being struck by or getting fingers or pieces of clothing caught in or between objects. Office supplies that are stacked too high can fall and seriously injure a worker.
Causes
According to the University of Texas, "Many office accidents are caused by poor housekeeping practices. By keeping the office floor both neat and clean, you can eliminate most slipping, tripping and falling hazards." Most office accidents are caused by tripping, slipping, falling, burning, cutting and pinching hazards. Other causes include bad ergonomic office and workstation design, inadequately designed and dangerous electrical wiring, bad lighting, exposure to toxic substances and inattentive coworkers.
Hazards
Office safety hazards include unstable chairs, improperly stored office supplies, doors, aisles, and fire exits that are blocked by objects such as boxes or furniture, ungrounded electrical equipment, overloaded outlets, unsafe or outdated office machinery, defective electrical cords or improper and hazardous placement, shutting off power by pulling on cords too fast, and by cleaning or repairing equipment that is still plugged in.
Prevention
Prevent office accidents and injuries by closing file drawers after use, using a stepladder when reaching for something high, cleaning spills and messes up right away, and picking up dropped objects. Learn safe lifting techniques, which focus on using the legs and not the back, and institute efficient ergonomic workplace design. Replace light bulbs and old lighting fixtures. Avoid taping electrical cords to the floor or running them underneath carpets. Avoid wearing loose belts, jewelry, scarves and ties around machinery that has moving parts. Following a regular office cleaning and maintenance program will prevent office safety issues from happening.
- f1b8fa0a23b8738990ef00a91691b514e5.jpg
