Recognizing Hidden Dangers: 5 Tips to a Safer Office

Compared to most worksites, an office environment is generally considered a safe place to be. Even so, in any environment, accidents can still happen.

It is important to recognize the hidden dangers in an office so you can prevent them and keep you and your employees safe. Here are 5 tips to help you create a safer office.

Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls

The most common office injuries are from slips and falls. Often, these take the form of:

Tripping on improperly secured power cords

Offices are full of electrical equipment, and most of the equipment requires power cords to keep it functioning. These can often become tripping hazards if they aren’t properly tucked away. All electrical cords should be properly secured and clear from walkways or aisles.

Slipping on slippery or uneven floors

Wet or snowy weather can create hazardous conditions coming into work. Outside, make sure walkways, ramps and sidewalks are shovelled and clear of snow and ice. Inside be sure to clean up wet floors immediately and post hazard signs where the floor might be slippery. Rubber and non slip runners in entryways can also help prevent slips and falls.

If your office has a carpet, be sure it lies flat and even. IF there are rips or uneven parts, make sure they are secured down so they don’t create a tripping hazard.

Office Layout – the way your office is organized can affect the safety of your employees.

Storage – Consider how equipment and supplies are stored

Falls from reaching up for equipment are an easily preventable office injury.

It is a common situation; you need to reach a box on a high shelf and rather than go get the ladder down the hall or wait for assistance, you decide to climb onto a nearby table or rolling chair to reach it. The chair rolls, the table tips and you fall to the ground and injure yourself.

Store items in a way that is easy to access and do not stack supplies at unsafe heights.

Cluttered Areas – Keep all walkways clear of boxes and supplies. These can become tripping hazards for busy office workers.

Ergonomics

Office workers spend most of their time sitting at a desk and working at a computer. If their work stations are not properly set up, over time this can lead to ergonomic problems from bad posture and repetitive movements.

Every employee is different and will require different equipment to get the right fit for their body. Experts in safety training can help you get your office work stations set up correctly. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety recommends a proper desk set up to support good posture that includes:

• A chair positioned in a straight line with your keyboard and monitor
• Elbows at a 90-degree angle when typing on the computer keyboard
• A chair that gives proper back support and is the right height for your feet to firmly rest on the ground.
• A neutral relaxed position

Employees need to report any kind of musculoskeletal problems. If caught early many ergonomics problems can be corrected before they lead to a more serious issue.

Lighting

Lighting should be suited to the job required. If your employees are staring at a computer screen all day they will require lower levels of lighting compared to employees who are working at detail-oriented manual work.

Over time computer screens can cause eye fatigue and strain. Small adjustments in office lighting can make a big difference. Encourage employees to turn and face bright windows or to close the curtains, rather than have them at their back, which can lead to eye strain.

Encourage your employees to take a 10-minute break for every hour they spend looking at a screen and give their eyes a chance to rest by looking at objects at different distances. This can help reduce eye strain.

Air Quality

Bad air quality is another common office hazard and can lead to respiratory illness, congestion and allergies. Poor air quality can come from construction fumes, cleaning supplies, mould or mildew in the system or unpleasant odours.

Open the windows, if possible, to get some fresh air and have an expert in to clean up any mould or mildew problems right away. Air purifiers can also help clear the air.