OFFICE SAFETY: HAZARD RECOGNITION

GETTING FROM THE CAR TO THE OFFICE

THE DANGERS OF GETTING FROM THE CAR TO THE OFFICE……

Bad weather conditions.

Potholes & cracks. Uneven surfaces,

sidewalks & drop offs. (heels, sandals)

Unmarked speed bumps, elevation bumpers

Slip resistant strips treatment

COMMON OFFICE HAZARDS

PHYSICAL LAYOUT

OFFICE FURNITURE

VENTILATION

EXITS-EGRESS

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

ILLUMINATION

FIRE HAZARDS

OFFICE EQUIPMENT

NOISE

STORAGE STRESS COMPUTER TERMINALS

OFFICE SAFETY…….Leading Types of Disabling Accidents

It is estimated that office workers sustain 76,000 fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains, and contusions each year. The leading types of disabling accidents that occur within the office are:

Falls ….35% Strains and over-exertion…..23% Struck by or striking objects …..18% Caught in or between objects. …….10% In addition, office workers are also injured as a result of

foreign substances in the eye, spilled hot liquids, burns from fire, and electric shock.In recent years, illness has increased among the office worker population. This may be attributed, in part, to the increased presence of environmental toxins within the office and to stress-producing factors associated with the automated office. Resulting illnesses may include respiratory problems, skin diseases, and stress-related conditions.

TRIPPING HAZARDS… CLUTTER

DEBRIS IN AISLES

WALKWAYS

WORK AREAS

HOUSEKEEPING CONTROLS

Cord covers for electrical wires.

Keep machines away from corners

Clean up spills ASAP

Use signage for hazards

Regularly inspect or replace (carpet)

OSHA MUSTS…..DEVELOP & IMPLEMENT ACTON PLANS

FOR:

1. FIRE

2. WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

3. CHEMICAL RELEASES

NOT LIMITED TO JUST THESE 3 BUT OSHA DEMANDS THESE 3.

FIRE HAZARDSSome common types of

combustible materials found in industry are:

Wood Cloth Plastics Fuels Paints Solvents Cleaning fluids Hydraulic fluids

Ignition Sources:

All forms and types of energy can be considered a potential ignition source. Some frequent types of ignition sources found in industry are:

Open flames Electrical wiring / devices Smoking Heat sources / Hot surfaces Welding and cutting Friction Sparks and Arcs Static sparks Chemical reactions Gas Compression

Building Hazards:

Fire can spread rapidly through a building. Fires can travel horizontally and vertically.

Listed below are examples of how fire can travel throughout a building:

Horizontal Travel Doorways Hallways Ceiling spaces Floor spaces Utility openings Conveyor shafts

Vertical Travel Stairways Elevator shafts Material shafts Utility openings Conveyor shafts

Personnel Hazards: The primary fire hazards to personnel are

escape routes to safety. The following considerations must be examined in determining the best methods of escape:

Travel distance to an exit Illumination of exiting paths Number and arrangement of exits Identification of exits Exit pathways Exit doors Exit capacities Stairwells

WORKPLACE VIOLENCEViolence is a potential hazard in all workplaces, and

an everyday hazard in some occupations.The source of violence can be strangers, clients,

significant others of coworkers, or co-workers themselves. Threats or other precursors to violence must be reported and addressed. Physical security of the office should be evaluated, with reasonable precautions taken, such as lighted parking areas, secured entrances, and other measures as appropriate.

Preplanning for violence prevention and training should take place.

MATERIALS STORAGE HAZARDS…1910N pg259

FALLING ON WORKERS, FIRES, ROOM VISIBILTY, STORE HEAVY ITEMS IN THE MIDDLE OF SHELVES

DEFECTIVE CHAIRS, DESKS, FILE CABINETS, MISUSE OF FURNITURE

CONDITION OF.. SHARP EDGES

ERGONOMICS……

POSTURE LIGHTING POSITIONING CHAIR HEIGHT PRINT/FONT SCREEN DESIGN KEYBOARD POSITIONING

NOISE…………

In an office, workers can be subjected to many noise sources, such as:

Video display terminals

High-speed printers Telephones Human voices. Radios Equipment/machinery

Noise can produce tension and stress, as well as damage to hearing. Some of the numerous measures available to

control unwanted noise include:

Place noisy machines in an enclosed space

Use carpeting, draperies, and acoustical ceiling tiles to muffle noise

Adjust telephone volume to its lowest level

Rearrange traffic routes within the office to reduce traffic within and between work areas.

ELECTRICAL HAZARDS Electrical accidents in an office usually occur as a

result of faulty or defective equipment, unsafe installation, or misuse of equipment.

Equipment must be properly grounded to prevent shock injuries

A sufficient number of outlets will prevent circuit overloading

Avoid the use of poorly maintained or non-approved equipment

Cords should not be dragged over nails, hooks, or other sharp objects

Receptacles should be installed and electric equipment maintained so that no live parts are exposed

Machines should be disconnected before cleaning or adjusting.

OFFICE TOOLS/EQUIPMENT

Paper cutters - Keep blade closed when not in use. A guard should be provided and fingers should be kept clear

Staplers - Always use a staple remover. Never test a jammed stapler with your thumb

Pencils, pens, scissors, etc. - Store sharp objects in a drawer or with the point down. Never hand someone a sharp object point first.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS

AIR POLLUTION..NATURAL (MOLD, SPORES) SYNTHETIC (CLEANERS,AMONIA)

VENTILLATION..DELIVERS GOOD AIR QUALITY, PROVIDES COMFORTABLE HUMIDTY & TEMP.

ILLUMINATION…LIGHTING PROBLEMS, GLARE, EYESTRAIN, FATIGUE, DOUBLE VISION, POOR LIGHTING…ALL CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS

NOISE SOURCES…PHONE, CELLS, VOICES, ETC. ***CAN CAUSE STRESS, TENSION, DAMAGED

HEARING, ETC.

THE COST $$$$$

PAIN & SUFFERING, LOST WAGES, DISABILTY, REDUCED QUALITY OF LIFE, DEPRESSION

LOSS OF PRODUCTIVITY & BUSINESS, INCREASED INSURANCE PREMIUM, TRAINING COSTS, REPLACEMENT OF WORKERS & THE SUBSEQUENT TRAINING OF REPLACEMENTS.

SLIP, TRIPS & FALLS

MAKE UP THE MOST OF GENERAL INDUSTRY ACCIDENTS.

15% OF ALL ACCIDENTAL DEATHS…2ND TO MOTOR VEHICLES

MOST AFFECTED: KNEE, WRIST, ANKLE, FOOT, BACK, SHOULDER, HIP & HEAD

STAIRWAY SAFETY 2.5 MILLION FALLS ON STAIRS RESULT IN

2 MILLION INJURYS. HAZARDS: VARYING RISE, SHALLOW

TREAD DEPTH, TALL/SHORT APPLY SLIP RESISTANT COATING, STRIPS,

HIGHLIGHT-MARK THE EDGES, CONFUSING BOTTOM STEP W/FLOOR IS COMMON, DON’T RUSH UP STAIRS, USE HANDRAILS

**** MOST HOTEL POLICIES STATE ALL EMPLOYEES HAVE TO USE THE HANDRAILS WHEN USING STAIRS.

SUMMARY………

DESIGN SAFETY INTO OFFICE LAYOUTS, USE OFFICE EQUIPMENT & TOOLS PROPERLY.