Workplace Safety At The Office
Offices are generally safer environments than other types of workplaces, like construction sites and factories. However, working in an office setting can provide for many other types of health and safety hazards if proper precautions are not taken.
The American workplace is continually evolving. Offices are frequently inundated with new technology and automation. Though these things are a convenience, these changes bring with them a set of health and safety concerns. In addition to obvious hazards, such as falling on slippery floors or over an open file drawer, a modern office may also contain hazards such as poor lighting, noise and poorly designed furniture. But, the leading types of disabling accidents within the office remain the result of falls, strains and over exertions, falling objects, striking against objects, and being caught in or between
Falls are the most common office accident, usually due to loss of balance or footing, like tripping over an open file drawer. Bending while seated in an unstable chair, falls caused by using a chair or stack of boxes in place of a ladder, and slipping on wet or damaged floors are all hazards. Items stored in halls or walkways and inadequate lighting also invite accidental falls. Fortunately, all of these hazards are preventable. Always be sure to close desk and file drawers completely after every use. Try to avoid excessive bending and leaning while seated, especially in very old or worn chairs. Be sure all electrical cords and wires are away from walkways. Never use chairs or stacks of things to reach something—use a stepladder. Make sure that spills are cleaned up promptly and pick up objects that co-workers may leave on the floor (and maybe give them a gentle safety reminder). Be sure to repair loose carpeting or damaged flooring as quickly as possible and post a warning in the area until it can be fixed.
If you do fall, be sure to let your body roll. Don’t reach out with your arm or leg to stop your fall or you may end up with a broken limb instead.
Although most office jobs may not involve lifting especially heavy objects, it’s important to remember the principles of safe lifting when carrying small loads like stacks of files or boxes of computer paper. Lifting improperly can cause serious injury to your back, neck, and shoulders—most back injuries result from improper lifting. Before lifting, be sure to evaluate the load first to determine whether or not it is too heavy for you to lift and carry alone. Also think about how high and how far the object needs to be carried. If you feel it’s too heavy for you to lift, ask for help or consider using a dolly.
If you are lifting, squat close to the load with feet shoulder-width apart. Be sure to keep your back in a straight position and lift with your legs. Make sure to have a firm grip on the object and hold it close to your body, with your weight centered. If you have to turn with the load, be sure not to twist your back. And, never allow the object to block your vision while walking.
Striking against objects is another cause of office injuries. Bumping into doors, desks, file cabinets, and open drawers, running into other people while walking, and striking sharp objects, such as the edges of office machines, can all cause injury. Be sure to pay attention to where you are walking at all times and, again, never carry objects that prevent you from seeing ahead of you. Always be sure to put things back where they belong to prevent unexpected bumps and bruises.
office supplies are stored properly to prevent them from sliding out or falling from shelves and cabinets. Be careful not to pull out more than one file drawer at a time, as this could cause the unit to fall over. And, one more thing you may not think of—be careful to open doors from the side when opening towards you to prevent being knocked into by someone opening it from the other side. It happens.
One other area of injury involves incidents as a result of office workers who get their fingers or articles of clothing caught in or between objects. Be careful when opening and closing drawers, doors and windows. Be aware of fingers, hair, loose articles of clothing and jewelry when operating office machines. Be extremely careful when using paper cutters and other sharp objects and be careful to concentrate on what you are doing when working on office equipment.
An often overlooked area of office workplace safety is excessive noise. Noise can be defined very simply as unwanted sound, and offices contain many noise sources including video display terminals, high-speed printers, telephones, fax machines, and human voices. All this noise can produce tension and stress as well as damage to hearing at high noise levels. The most common effects are interference with speech communication, annoyance, and distraction from mental activities. The annoying effect of noise can decrease performance or increase errors in some task situations. If the tasks require a great deal of mental concentration, noise can be detrimental to performance.
To help combat office noise, try to select the quietest equipment. When there is a choice between two or more products, noise levels should be included as a consideration for purchase. Make sure to properly maintain the equipment, such as proper lubrication and tightening of loose parts that can cause noise. Try to place loud equipment in areas where its effects are less damaging or isolate the equipment using barrier walls or dividers. For example, place impact printers away from areas where people must use the phone. And, lastly, schedule noisy tasks at times when it will have less of an effect on the other tasks in the office.
Staying safe in the office environment only takes a little time and attention. However, when that attention is not given, the results can be serious. Be sure to model good safety habits for your fellow officemates, and everyone will be safer as a result.
About the Author: Karin Nead is the president of Midwest Biz Solutions, Inc. in Belton, Missouri. Her company provides small business owners with outsourcing options for administrative support, bookkeeping, desktop publishing and graphic design.
The American workplace is continually evolving. Offices are frequently inundated with new technology and automation. Though these things are a convenience, these changes bring with them a set of health and safety concerns. In addition to obvious hazards, such as falling on slippery floors or over an open file drawer, a modern office may also contain hazards such as poor lighting, noise and poorly designed furniture. But, the leading types of disabling accidents within the office remain the result of falls, strains and over exertions, falling objects, striking against objects, and being caught in or between
Falls are the most common office accident, usually due to loss of balance or footing, like tripping over an open file drawer. Bending while seated in an unstable chair, falls caused by using a chair or stack of boxes in place of a ladder, and slipping on wet or damaged floors are all hazards. Items stored in halls or walkways and inadequate lighting also invite accidental falls. Fortunately, all of these hazards are preventable. Always be sure to close desk and file drawers completely after every use. Try to avoid excessive bending and leaning while seated, especially in very old or worn chairs. Be sure all electrical cords and wires are away from walkways. Never use chairs or stacks of things to reach something—use a stepladder. Make sure that spills are cleaned up promptly and pick up objects that co-workers may leave on the floor (and maybe give them a gentle safety reminder). Be sure to repair loose carpeting or damaged flooring as quickly as possible and post a warning in the area until it can be fixed.
If you do fall, be sure to let your body roll. Don’t reach out with your arm or leg to stop your fall or you may end up with a broken limb instead.
Although most office jobs may not involve lifting especially heavy objects, it’s important to remember the principles of safe lifting when carrying small loads like stacks of files or boxes of computer paper. Lifting improperly can cause serious injury to your back, neck, and shoulders—most back injuries result from improper lifting. Before lifting, be sure to evaluate the load first to determine whether or not it is too heavy for you to lift and carry alone. Also think about how high and how far the object needs to be carried. If you feel it’s too heavy for you to lift, ask for help or consider using a dolly.
If you are lifting, squat close to the load with feet shoulder-width apart. Be sure to keep your back in a straight position and lift with your legs. Make sure to have a firm grip on the object and hold it close to your body, with your weight centered. If you have to turn with the load, be sure not to twist your back. And, never allow the object to block your vision while walking.
Striking against objects is another cause of office injuries. Bumping into doors, desks, file cabinets, and open drawers, running into other people while walking, and striking sharp objects, such as the edges of office machines, can all cause injury. Be sure to pay attention to where you are walking at all times and, again, never carry objects that prevent you from seeing ahead of you. Always be sure to put things back where they belong to prevent unexpected bumps and bruises.
office supplies are stored properly to prevent them from sliding out or falling from shelves and cabinets. Be careful not to pull out more than one file drawer at a time, as this could cause the unit to fall over. And, one more thing you may not think of—be careful to open doors from the side when opening towards you to prevent being knocked into by someone opening it from the other side. It happens.
One other area of injury involves incidents as a result of office workers who get their fingers or articles of clothing caught in or between objects. Be careful when opening and closing drawers, doors and windows. Be aware of fingers, hair, loose articles of clothing and jewelry when operating office machines. Be extremely careful when using paper cutters and other sharp objects and be careful to concentrate on what you are doing when working on office equipment.
An often overlooked area of office workplace safety is excessive noise. Noise can be defined very simply as unwanted sound, and offices contain many noise sources including video display terminals, high-speed printers, telephones, fax machines, and human voices. All this noise can produce tension and stress as well as damage to hearing at high noise levels. The most common effects are interference with speech communication, annoyance, and distraction from mental activities. The annoying effect of noise can decrease performance or increase errors in some task situations. If the tasks require a great deal of mental concentration, noise can be detrimental to performance.
To help combat office noise, try to select the quietest equipment. When there is a choice between two or more products, noise levels should be included as a consideration for purchase. Make sure to properly maintain the equipment, such as proper lubrication and tightening of loose parts that can cause noise. Try to place loud equipment in areas where its effects are less damaging or isolate the equipment using barrier walls or dividers. For example, place impact printers away from areas where people must use the phone. And, lastly, schedule noisy tasks at times when it will have less of an effect on the other tasks in the office.
Staying safe in the office environment only takes a little time and attention. However, when that attention is not given, the results can be serious. Be sure to model good safety habits for your fellow officemates, and everyone will be safer as a result.
About the Author: Karin Nead is the president of Midwest Biz Solutions, Inc. in Belton, Missouri. Her company provides small business owners with outsourcing options for administrative support, bookkeeping, desktop publishing and graphic design.
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