05 Mar Office Safety – Recognizing Potential Hazards

Office Safety – Recognizing Potential Hazards

Office safety begins with recognizing potential hazards before they cause an injury. Offices may appear relatively safe, but falls, poor housekeeping, unsafe storage, improper lifting, and everyday office equipment can create hazards when employees are not paying attention.

Take time to look around your work area and correct potential hazards when you find them.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Falls are among the most common types of office injuries. Reduce the risk by maintaining clear, unobstructed walking surfaces.

• Clean up spills promptly and warn others about wet or slippery surfaces.
• Repair or report torn carpeting, raised edges, damaged flooring, and similar hazards.
• Keep electrical and communication cords out of walkways.
• Keep desk and file cabinet drawers closed when not in use.
• Do not store boxes, supplies, wastebaskets, or equipment in aisles or walkways.
• Wear footwear appropriate for workplace conditions.
• Walk—do not run—through office areas.
• Pay attention to where you are going rather than reading or looking at a phone while walking.

Stair Safety

A fall on stairs can result in a serious injury.

• Always use the handrail when ascending or descending stairs.
• Keep stairs and landings clear of boxes, supplies, cords, and other objects.
• Never use stairs for storage.
• Clean up or report spills and other slippery conditions immediately.
• Make sure you can see the steps when carrying materials.
• Avoid carrying loads that prevent you from using the handrail.
• Do not rush or skip steps.

Chairs and Safe Access

Office chairs are designed for sitting—not climbing.

• Never stand on a chair, desk, box, or other makeshift object to reach an elevated area.
• Use an approved step stool or ladder when necessary.
• Do not lean excessively backward in office chairs.
• Inspect chairs for loose, broken, or damaged components and remove unsafe chairs from service.

Hallways and Blind Corners

Collisions can occur at doorways, intersections, and blind corners.

• Slow down when approaching blind corners and doorways.
• Avoid carrying loads that block your view.
• Use extra caution when carrying hot beverages or other materials that could cause an injury if spilled.
• Keep intersections and travel routes free of stored materials.
• Consider mirrors or other controls where blind intersections create recurring hazards.

Filing Cabinets and Storage

Improper storage can result in falling objects, struck-by injuries, or tipping furniture.

• Store heavier materials in lower drawers or on lower shelves.
• Avoid placing heavy or unstable materials on top of filing cabinets.
• Do not overload upper file drawers.
• Open only one file cabinet drawer at a time.
• Close drawers immediately after use.
• Secure tall or unstable filing cabinets, shelving, and furniture when necessary to prevent tipping.
• Do not store materials where they could fall onto employees.

Lifting and Carrying

Even routine office materials can cause strains or other injuries when handled improperly.

• Evaluate the weight and size of a load before lifting.
• Keep loads close to your body.
• Avoid twisting while lifting or carrying.
• Get assistance or use a cart for heavy, bulky, or awkward materials.
• Never carry materials stacked so high that they obstruct your vision.
• Make additional trips rather than attempting to carry too much at once.

Correct Potential Hazards

Do not assume someone else will take care of an unsafe condition. Correct simple hazards when you can safely do so and report conditions that require additional attention to your supervisor or other designated person.

A spill, open drawer, damaged floor, blocked aisle, or unstable stack may seem minor until someone gets hurt.

Remember

Look around your office with safety in mind. Many potential hazards are easy to identify and correct before an injury occurs.

If you see a hazard, take action—correct it when safe to do so or report it so it can be corrected.