1. OFFICE SAFETY

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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.