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
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.