Safety Tips For An Office Workplace
Business owners and managers consider workplace safety a high priority. When an accident does happen, the employer risks paying workers' compensation costs, fines and higher insurance premiums. While there are many safety mandates for warehouse environments, protecting workers in the office is equally important. Managers should take steps to ensure a hazard-free office environment.
Avoiding Falls
• Falls are the No. 1 cause of workplace injuries, but proper training and a safe environment can help easily avoid them. Employees risk a fall when they lift items improperly or trip over obstacles in walkways. Managers or human resources reps should conduct a basic training course covering the proper way to lift boxes or items more than 10 lbs. Remove clutter from walkways, hallways and areas around employee desks, and clean any spills immediately.
Evacuation Plans
• Injuries and falls occur more often when the fire alarm goes off or the building management team does an evacuation drill. Make sure your employees are aware of all emergency exits around the office, and that they practice leaving the office in a timely, orderly manner during an actual fire or emergency.
Lighting
• Many employers do not realize the hazards from staring into a computer screen all day. Too much lighting from the sun or light fixtures can cause headaches and eyestrain. Employees also might have to sit in awkward positions to avoid monitor glare at different times of the day. Avoid these problems by placing computer monitors in appropriate positions and providing curtains or shades to block the strong rays in the mornings and late afternoons.
Seating
• The human body was not designed to be in a seated position for hours at a time, and many employees develop sciatic pain in their backs and legs. Avoid this by mandating several break periods throughout the day, which require employees to stand up and move around. Provide ergonomic chairs and teach employees how to safely stretch tight neck and hamstring muscles through simple exercises.
Avoiding Falls
• Falls are the No. 1 cause of workplace injuries, but proper training and a safe environment can help easily avoid them. Employees risk a fall when they lift items improperly or trip over obstacles in walkways. Managers or human resources reps should conduct a basic training course covering the proper way to lift boxes or items more than 10 lbs. Remove clutter from walkways, hallways and areas around employee desks, and clean any spills immediately.
Evacuation Plans
• Injuries and falls occur more often when the fire alarm goes off or the building management team does an evacuation drill. Make sure your employees are aware of all emergency exits around the office, and that they practice leaving the office in a timely, orderly manner during an actual fire or emergency.
Lighting
• Many employers do not realize the hazards from staring into a computer screen all day. Too much lighting from the sun or light fixtures can cause headaches and eyestrain. Employees also might have to sit in awkward positions to avoid monitor glare at different times of the day. Avoid these problems by placing computer monitors in appropriate positions and providing curtains or shades to block the strong rays in the mornings and late afternoons.
Seating
• The human body was not designed to be in a seated position for hours at a time, and many employees develop sciatic pain in their backs and legs. Avoid this by mandating several break periods throughout the day, which require employees to stand up and move around. Provide ergonomic chairs and teach employees how to safely stretch tight neck and hamstring muscles through simple exercises.
- rq8a122cfe70d0b354d894d448debce3c8.jpg
