1. Office Safety For Laboratory, Facility, and Office Employees
Tulane University
January, 2005
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

2. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
Objectives
To recognize office safety hazards.
To learn corrective actions for creating safe office environments.
To identify unit inspection requirements.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

3. Office employees are part of the health and safety process.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

4. Potential Office Safety Hazards include:
Ergonomic issues
Fire & evacuation
Electrical cords & equipment
Heat-generating sources (coffee pots)
Hand tools
Office machines (copiers, paper cutters, shredders, jammed machines);
Slips, trips, falls
Housekeeping
Furniture/layout
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

5. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
WORKSTATIONS
Position equipment securely (away from furniture edges)
Place frequently used items within safe reach
Don’t restrict leg room with equipment storage
Keep all chair legs on the floor (don’t tilt!)
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

6. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
LIGHTING
Areas that have too much or too little light can cause headache, strain, and fatigue.
Use adjustable task lighting for tasks that require greater illumination.
Take visual “breaks” every 30 minutes (look at objects at least 20 ft away).
Get regular eye exams…let your eye doctor know if you are working at a computer!
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

7. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
FILING CABINETS
Keep drawers closed when not in use
Don’t open all the drawers at the same time
Use handles to open and close drawers slowly and carefully
Don’t let a cabinet get top heavy
Fill from bottom up
Put heavy items in lower drawers
Put lightweight items in top drawers
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

8. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
FURNITURE
Chairs should remain squarely on the floor.
Casters on all chairs should be secured and all parts of the chair should be sturdy
Furniture should be selected and maintained free of sharp edges, points, or burrs.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

9. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
STACKING AND STORAGE
Store heavy articles on lower shelves
Keep aisles and exit corridors clear
Don’t obstruct fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations, or electrical panels
Limit storage of combustible materials
Maintain 18 in. overhead clearance
from sprinkler heads
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

10. POTENTIAL TRIP HAZARDS
Loose debris or spills on the floor
Electrical wire or cables in walkway
Torn or loose carpeting
Missing floor tiles
Broken stair tread edges
Uneven walking surfaces
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

11. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS
Pick up debris and loose objects (waste paper, pencils, paper clips, etc.)
Wipe up spills immediately
Report floor defects to Facilities Services
Wear “sensible” shoes (sturdy heels and non-slip soles)
Use a ladder or step stool when necessary
Walk, don’t run!
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

12. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
STAIRS
Avoid distractions
Take one step at a time
Don’t load your arms so full of materials that you can’t see
Keep one hand on the handrail
Don’t congregate on stairs or landings
Watch where you’re going
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

13. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
OFFICE EQUIPMENT
Keep loose clothing, jewelry, and long flowing hair away from machines.
Paper Cutters
Use guard to avoid contact with the cutting blade by the opposing hand (hand holding the paper).
When the cutter is not in use, the blade should be in the down position and secured.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

14. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
OFFICE EQUIPMENT
Sharp tools (i.e. letter openers, Exacto knives, scissors, etc.)
Store properly to prevent tools from rolling and falling off of desk surfaces.
Use sheaths for knives and razors
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

15. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
OFFICE EQUIPMENT
Copiers
Know the procedures for safely clearing jams
Turn power OFF before trying to clear a jam or changing toner.
Remain aware of areas which may be hot.
Remember that the power is still connected
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

16. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
OFFICE EQUIPMENT
Paper shredders
Keep hands and fingers clear of paper inlet of paper shredder.
UNPLUG shredder before trying to clear a paper jam.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

17. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
COFFEE POTS
Heat source/potential fire hazard
History of incidents when coffee pots left ON
Turn OFF when not in use
Make sure they are OFF before you leave the office
Consider using an automatic timer
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

18. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
OFFICE MACHINES
If you:
notice a tingling sensation when touching a machine, or
see smoke or sparks, or
know that a piece of equipment is in need of repair,
Unplug it immediately and report it!
Put a sign on the machine indicating to others that it is out of order
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

19. OFFICE INSPECTION REPORTS
See Form 15F-OEHS in Appendix E of OEHS Policies & Procedures Manual (
Unit Supervisors/PIs perform inspections quarterly
DSR gathers and submits forms to OEHS
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

20. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
Review
Potential hazards may exist in office settings, including:
Ergonomic issues
Fire & emergency evacuation
Electrical equipment
Heat generating sources
Hand tools
Office machines
Slips, trips & falls
Housekeeping
Furniture and equipment layout
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

21. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
Review
Be aware of potential office hazards when setting up a workplace to eliminate the introduction of hazards.
If hazards are noted, take corrective actions or notify an appropriate party that can take corrective actions.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

22. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)
Review
Know how to safely operate office equipment.
Areas are to be inspected quarterly by Unit Supervisors/PIs.
DSR gathers and submits inspection forms to OEHS.
Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

23. Tulane University Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS) www
Tulane University Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS) Karen Douglas (Uptown), Environmental Health & Safety Specialist (504) / Susan Welch (Downtown), Occupational Safety Manager (504) / If unable to proceed to quiz, type the link below into your browser
Proceed to Quiz