Avoid Office Hazards
Workplace health and safety awareness is a high priority for those who work with heavy machinery, moving equipment or in construction sites, whereas sitting at a desk most of the time does not seem particularly risky. However, there are a surprising number of hazards in an office environment. Many injuries are preventable by recognising these risks.
Slips and falls
Falls are a common problem. Placing carpet and skid-resistant surfaces on indoor tiled areas can help to reduce falls. If the entrance to your office building is slippery when wet, place a slippery surface warning sign.
Storage and filing
Many items are stored in offices, such as files, office supplies, printer parts and product samples. Overloaded shelves are a common hazard, as are heavy items being stored high on shelves, moving compactus shelves and workers repeatedly reaching up and down for items. To avoid injuries:
Kitchens
Most offices have a shared kitchen. It is important to keep the kitchen areas tidy and clean, and to remove spills immediately to prevent falls. To avoid kitchen injuries:
Office equipment
Office equipment includes items such as computers, monitors, chairs, photocopiers, printers, inks, toners and desk lamps. To avoid office equipment injuries:
Administrative controls
The best way to reduce injuries is to quickly identify and address potential hazards. This can be accomplished by conducting regular walk throughs to identify possible risks and establish a reporting system so employees know how and where to report issues.
A risk register should provide as much information as possible, for example: