Office Safety

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OFFICE SAFETY

General Office Safety

A large percentage of workplace accidents and injuries occur in office buildings. Like the shop or laboratory the office requires a few preventive measures to ensure a safe and healthful environment. Common causes of office accidents include the following:

• Slipping, tripping, and falling hazards
• Burning, cutting, and pinching hazards
• Improper lifting and handling techniques
• Unobservant and inattentive employees
• Improper office layout and arrangement
• Dangerous electrical wiring
• Exposure to toxic substances
• Horseplay

The following sections address several office safety practices. Other preventive measures not mentioned here may be necessary also.

REMEMBER:

The office building is not a sterile working environment; common workplace hazards can be extra dangerous when you ignore them.

Refer to other chapters in this manual, such as Electrical Safety, General Safety, Fire Safety, and others for more information on workplace safety. Always use common sense when safety is a concern.

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Good Housekeeping Practices

Many office accidents are caused by poor housekeeping practices. By keeping the office floor both neat and clean, you can eliminate most slipping, tripping, and falling hazards. Other good housekeeping practices include the following:

• Ensure that office lighting is adequate and available. Replace burned out light bulbs, and have additional lighting installed, as necessary.
• Ensure that electrical cords and phone cords do not cross walkways or otherwise pose a tripping hazard. If you cannot move a cord, have a new outlet installed or secure the cord to the floor with cord covering strips. Do not tape cords down or run them underneath carpet.
• Report or repair tripping hazards such as defective tiles, boards, or carpet immediately.
• Clean spills and pick up fallen debris immediately. Even a loose pencil or paper clip could cause a serious falling injury.
• Keep office equipment, facilities, and machines in good condition.
• Store items in an approved storage space. Take care to not stack boxes too high or too tight. Ensure that boxes are clearly labeled with their contents.

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Hazardous Objects and Materials

Hazardous objects such as knives and firearms are not permitted in the workplace. In addition, hazardous chemicals and materials should not be stored in the general office. Hazardous materials include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Carcinogens
• Combustibles
• Flammables
• Gas cylinders
• Irritants
• Oxidizers
• Reactives

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Preventing Cuts and Punctures

Cuts and punctures happen when people use everyday office supplies without exercising care. Follow these guidelines to help reduce the chance for cuts and punctures:

• When sealing envelopes, use a liquid dispenser, not your tongue.
• Be careful when using kitchen knives, scissors, staplers, letter openers, and box openers. Any of these items could cause a painful injury.
• Avoid picking up broken glass with your bare hands. Wear gloves and use a broom and a dust pan.
• Place used blades or broken glass in a rigid container, such as a box, before disposing in a wastebasket.

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Preventing Slips and Falls

As outlined in the General Safety chapter of this manual, the easiest way to avoid slips and falls is to pay attention to your surroundings and to avoid running or rushing. To ensure safety for others in the office, however, follow these guidelines:

Arrange office furnishings in a manner that provides unobstructed areas for movement.

Keep stairs, steps, flooring, and carpeting well maintained.

Ensure that glass doors have some type of marking to keep people from walking through them.

Clearly mark any difference in floor level that could cause an accident.

Secure throw rugs and mats to prevent slipping hazards.

Do not place wastebaskets or other objects in walkways.

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