Personal Safety Tips For The Office
When asked to list places where workplace accidents may occur, most people probably wouldn't say in an office. Many workplace accidents, however, take place in offices, but they often are avoidable. Taking a few simple steps can make many offices safer places to work.
Floors
Electrical cords strewn here and there cause many office accidents. Make sure cords are not running across aisles and hallways so workers do not trip over them. Additional floor hazards can include wastebaskets, spots where carpeting has bunched up, missing sections of tiles and wet floors. Office workers should always be on the lookout for such hazards, and take their time when moving about; hurrying can cause a nasty tumble.
File Cabinets
Office hazards often are found overhead as well as underfoot, and, at times, not very far off the ground. Most office workers have banged their heads on a file cabinet drawer they forgot was open. Close such drawers when they are not in use, and put the heaviest files in bottom drawers, so the file cabinets don't tip over. Additionally, don't stack files, folders, or books high on a file cabinet, or any place else in the office, where they can slide and fall.
Equipment
Workers unfamiliar with a piece of office equipment should never try to operate it without assistance. Even the simplest of machinery -- particularly paper cutters -- can cause injuries.
Lifting
Perhaps more injuries than any other are caused at offices by improper lifting techniques. Those lifting heavy objects should always bend at the knees, which eases strain on the back. If a person has to strain to lift any object, he should consider getting at least one other person to help him move it. Use hand carts when several heavy objects need to be moved -- they'll save the wear and tear on your back that walking with those objects can cause.
Other Tips
No matter how well a person knows her way around a room, she should always turn on the lights before entering that room if it is darkened. Employees should be familiar with emergency phone numbers and where all exits are, as well as the locations of first-aid kits. Employers may also want to have staff take CPR classes, or learn the Heimlich maneuver -- even having one person in the office who knows such skills may someday save a life.
Floors
Electrical cords strewn here and there cause many office accidents. Make sure cords are not running across aisles and hallways so workers do not trip over them. Additional floor hazards can include wastebaskets, spots where carpeting has bunched up, missing sections of tiles and wet floors. Office workers should always be on the lookout for such hazards, and take their time when moving about; hurrying can cause a nasty tumble.
File Cabinets
Office hazards often are found overhead as well as underfoot, and, at times, not very far off the ground. Most office workers have banged their heads on a file cabinet drawer they forgot was open. Close such drawers when they are not in use, and put the heaviest files in bottom drawers, so the file cabinets don't tip over. Additionally, don't stack files, folders, or books high on a file cabinet, or any place else in the office, where they can slide and fall.
Equipment
Workers unfamiliar with a piece of office equipment should never try to operate it without assistance. Even the simplest of machinery -- particularly paper cutters -- can cause injuries.
Lifting
Perhaps more injuries than any other are caused at offices by improper lifting techniques. Those lifting heavy objects should always bend at the knees, which eases strain on the back. If a person has to strain to lift any object, he should consider getting at least one other person to help him move it. Use hand carts when several heavy objects need to be moved -- they'll save the wear and tear on your back that walking with those objects can cause.
Other Tips
No matter how well a person knows her way around a room, she should always turn on the lights before entering that room if it is darkened. Employees should be familiar with emergency phone numbers and where all exits are, as well as the locations of first-aid kits. Employers may also want to have staff take CPR classes, or learn the Heimlich maneuver -- even having one person in the office who knows such skills may someday save a life.
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