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 OFFICE VENTILATION
LAYOUT FURNITURE

EXITS- ELECTRICAL ILLUMINATION

EGRESS EQUIPMENT

FIRE OFFICE NOISE

HAZARDS EQUIPMENT

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 HAZARDS
Some 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 Vertical Travel

Doorways Stairways
Hallways Elevator shafts
Ceiling spaces Material shafts
Floor spaces Utility openings
Utility openings Conveyor shafts
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 VIOLENCE
Violence 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
HAZARDS1910N 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.
ILLUMINATIONLIGHTING PROBLEMS, GLARE,
EYESTRAIN, FATIGUE, DOUBLE VISION, POOR
LIGHTINGALL CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS
NOISE SOURCESPHONE, 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
DEATHS2ND 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, DONT 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.