If you have a full-time job in an office, you spend a large portion of your life in your workplace. You may not think of your office as a dangerous place, but you can be hurt on the job just as you can at home. Safety in the workplace begins by correcting situations that could cause accidents or injury. Be alert to common workplace hazards and you can make your office a safer place to work.
Cleaning
Use cleaning supplies in well-ventilated areas. Clean up spills to prevent anyone slipping and falling. Store supplies where they won't impede traffic.
Electrical
Don't overload circuits with electrical equipment. Use power strips to avoid tangles of cords. Don't drape extension cords across walkways, where they could present tripping hazards.
Ergonomics
To prevent repetitive stress injuries, make sure your keyboard, computer monitor and chair are at the correct height. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends that you sit with feet flat on the floor and the top of your computer monitor at or just below eye level. Your chair should support your lower back, and support your elbows close to your body. Your wrists and forearms should be in a straight line as you type on your keyboard. Use a telephone headset instead of cradling the phone against your shoulder.
Fire
Your office should be equipped with fire extinguishers and smoke alarms. Mark all exits clearly and don't let furniture, boxes, or anything else block the exits. Steven Triebold, the fire prevention and protection program manager for Penn State University, recommends you post an evacuation plan in each office, showing the routes to the nearest exits.
Theft Prevention
Store your purse, cell phone or other personal belongings in a locked cabinet when you're not using them. The Columbia College of Chicago Office of Campus Safety and Security suggests you attach your laptop to your desk with a cable. Use passwords to protect your computer files.
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