Safety and health hazards can exist on worksites filled with heavy machinery and equipment, where employees are often engaged in strenuous manual labor.
A job where most of the work tasks are completed while sitting in a chair in a climate-controlled office building would seem less laden with danger. However, a surprising number of hazards can be present in an office setting. Many of these injuries could have been prevented had workers or supervisors recognized the risks and implemented simple workplace modifications to help mitigate them.
Falls
Slips, trips and falls are the most common type of office injury. Several hazards contribute to these injuries, although most can be significantly reduced, often by raising awareness among employees.
- Stay clutter-free
Boxes, files and various items piled in walkways can create a tripping hazard. Be certain that all materials are safely stored in their proper location to prevent buildup of clutter in walkways. Further, in addition to posing an electrical hazard, stretching cords across walkways or under rugs creates a tripping hazard, so ensure all cords are properly secured and covered. - Step on up
Standing on chairs – particularly rolling office chairs – is a significant fall hazard. Workers who need to reach something at an elevated height should use a stepladder. Workers should never climb higher than the step indicated as the highest safe standing level. - Maintain a clear line of vision
Workers can collide when making turns in the hallways and around blind corners or cubicle walls. It is suggested that installing convex mirrors at intersections to help reduce collisions. - Get a grip
Carpeting and other skid-resistant surfaces can serve to reduce falls. Placing carpets down can be especially helpful at entranceways, where workers are likely to be coming in with shoes wet from rain or snow.
Struck/caught by
Another major type of injury in the office setting comes from workers being struck by or caught by an object.
- Shut the drawer
File cabinets with too many fully extended drawers could tip over if they are not secured, the council warns. Open drawers on desks and file cabinets also pose a tripping hazard, so be sure to always completely close drawers when not in use. - Safe stacking
According to the Office of Compliance from the US , proper storage of heavy items can help reduce the number of office injuries. Large stacks of materials and heavy equipment can cause major injuries if they are knocked over. OOC further warns that the load capacity of shelves or storage units should never be exceeded.
Ergonomics injuries
As office workers tend to spend the bulk of their day seated at a desk and working on a computer, they are prone to strains and other injuries related to posture and repetitive movement. Ergonomics hazards can be difficult to detect. According to Marc Turina, most office conditions that can be described as hazardous from an ergonomics perspective would appear harmless to the everyday observer.
- Provide adjustable equipment
Adjustability is the key, as Turina states that chairs, work surfaces, monitor stands, etc., should all be adjustable in order to accommodate all range of employees. - Train workers on how to use equipment
Providing adjustable furniture and equipment is only the first step in creating an ergonomically sound workstation. Train workers on both the ideal setup and how to operate adjustable equipment accordingly. - Keep your feet on the floor
Unless an employee’s feet are on the floor, a chair will not be able to reduce pain and discomfort. It is recommended that such options such as adjustable keyboard trays or rolling tables adjusted to the proper height could eliminate this problem. - Provide document holders
These document holders are reasonably priced, and eliminate excessive cervical motion and help to prevent muscle imbalances. Document holders also are good for the eyes, according to the St. Louis-based American Optometric Association. Keeping reference materials close to the monitor reduces the need for your eyes to change focus as you look from the document to the monitor. - Correct mouse placement
It is recommended that the mouse always be placed beside the keyboard to avoid strain on the hands or arms.
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