OFFICE SAFETY

INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW - Office Injuries and Hazards - Accident Statistics - Ergonomics - Design Characteristics - Administrative Action - Emergency Response

INJURIES AND HAZARDS - Office workers are 50% of all employees & growing . . . . - 1 of every 27 office workers will be injured. - Hidden Cost of injuries: * Time off from work * Training replacements * Lowered efficiency * Pain & suffering

INJURIES & HAZARDS CONTINUED HIDDEN HAZARDS IN THE OFFICE CLOTHING - Snags, pulls, constricting clothing, shoe styles and condition, jewelry & accessories. FURNITURE- Sharp corners, poor design, congested areas. OFFICE SUPPLIES - Toxics, irritants, spills, weight. OFFICE EQUIPMENT - Electrical hazards, moving parts, sharp edges, pinch points.

ACCIDENT STATISTICS Slips, Trips & Falls - 26% - Improper use of chairs - Lighting - Stools, ladders - Shelf climbing - Cords - Wet floors Over Exertion - 22% - Heavy & awkward loads - Over reaching and stooping Struck By/Against - 18% - Open, unsecured file cabinets - Aisle storage - Paper cutters - Housekeeping

ERGONOMICS WORKSTATION - Layout & reach - Keyboard & screen height, angle - Chair style, condition - Windows and lighting FURNISHINGS - Anti glare screen - Back & foot rests - Adjustable chair, desk - Monitor size, distance ENVIROMENT - Temperature - Noise - Glare - Rest breaks - Ventilation - Lighting - Work flow - Distractions

DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS OFFICE LAYOUT - Blind corners - Items projecting into aisles - Aisle space - Access to emergency exits UTILITIES - Minimize phone, electrical cords - Use of GFCI outlets - Extension cords are TEMPORARY - Grounding of cords FURNISHINGS - Rounded, padded edges - Shelves secured - Sprinkler clearance (18”) - Missing parts, screws

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION ACTIVITIES - Safety meetings, communication and regular surveys. HOUSEKEEPING - Regular clean up, organize office, convenient trash & recycle. STORAGE PRACTICES - Heavy items low, high use items convenient, small file boxes, no storage in aisles or stairs.

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION CONTINUED PROPER LIFTING TECHNIQUES - Good grip, keep load close, bend knees, use carts, open path of travel, know when to get help. EMPLOYEE ATTITUDE & BEHAVIOR - Close the drawers, don’t run, follow safety rules, practice good posture, rest breaks, use “common sense”. EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY - Diet, exercise, health check-ups, personal risk factors. - Health problems & hobbies as factors.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE Preparation & Planning - First aid supplies & training, exits, fire extinguishers, evacuation, electrical and chemical safety. - Emergency operation procedures written and tested. - Contingencies for fire, weather related, bomb threat, burglary, robbery, intruder, utilities disruption. - Post-incident analysis should include critique, counseling, stress debriefing, review of procedures.

SUMMARY - Office workers are growing in number as business changes. - Exposures and risks are just as real as factory environments. - Management and employees have a responsibility to assure that issues are identified and addressed. - A “clean, safe and attractive work environment” benefits all of us.