11006134/0112 Copyright © 2001 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. BLR’s Safety Training Presentations Office Hazards

11006134/0112 Copyright © 2001 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.

BLR’s Safety Training Presentations

Office Hazards


Goals

Fire, Chemical, and Medical Emergencies Ergonomics, Stress, and Other Office Hazards Quiz


Evacuation Procedures

Know locations of exits Recognize evacuation

signal and listen for instructions

Go to the designated meeting area

Keep exits and hallways clear Participate in evaluation drills


Fire Response

Notify others—sound an alarm

Retrieve a fire extinguisher

Assess the situation Call the Fire Department


Fire Prevention

Flammable or combustible liquids Improper storage of

combustible materials Electrical cords and outlets Space heaters Smoking


Chemicals and Spills

Communicate the hazards

Evacuate the area Notify trained spill

responders Keep others away

from the spill area


Medical Emergencies

Trained first-aid and CPR responders Call an ambulance First-aid kits Bloodborne pathogens


Natural Disasters

Earthquake Flood Windstorm Snow and ice storms


Goals


Ergonomic Risk Factors

Repetition Force Posture Contact stress Vibration



Musculoskeletal Disorders

Injury to the nervous system or soft tissue Pain in hands, wrists, fingers, forearms,

joints, or elbows Tightness, soreness, coldness, stiffness,

burning, tingling, numbness Report any of these symptoms

Ergonomic Posture

Head facing straight ahead Knees bent 90 degrees Feet flat on the

floor or footrest Wrists in line with forearms Shoulders not hunched Elbows close to the side



Reduce Repetition

Alternate work activities Take mini-breaks Take eye breaks Stretching exercises

Workplace Stress

Stress factors Symptoms of stress Episodic stress Benefits of stress



Stress Management

Control your reaction to stress Exercise, eat right,

get adequate sleep Avoid stressful situations Get organized Laugh, relax, take quiet time


Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards

Water on the floor Torn carpet or flooring Cords across walkways Open file cabinet drawers Standing on chairs to

reach high shelves


Back Safety

Do not try to lift more than you can handle

Maintain good back posture when sitting, standing, or lifting

Use material handling aids Make sure you can see

over or around loads you are carrying


Safe Lifting Techniques

Establish a wide and stable stance Bend at your knees and hips Squat down next to the object Firmly grip the object Pull the object close Tighten your stomach muscles Rise up with your legs


Electrical Hazards

Do not overload circuits Do not use damaged electrical cords Do not use plugs with missing ground

connectors Visually inspect electrical equipment Do not touch breaker panels


Cut Hazards

Box knives Scissors Paper cutters Envelope openers


Other Hazards

Poor lighting Staircases Computer screen glare Poor housekeeping Busy hallways


Goals



Summary

Learn evacuation procedures Practice fire prevention Reduce exposure to ergonomic risk factors Control workplace stress Lift safely Practice good housekeeping

Quiz

1. The two main ergonomic risk factors for office workers are: ____________________, ____________________

2. Describe the first thing you should do if you discover a fire: _______________________________________

3. Name a fire ignition source that is found under many office desks: __________________________________

4. The best ergonomic posture for your wrists when typing is to have them in a straight line with your forearms.

True or False5. What tool should you use when you want to significantly reduce the strain

on your back when you have to move an object? ____________________________________


Quiz (cont.)

6. Describe one way to reduce stress: ___________________________________________

7. Name an office tool that presents a cut hazard: ___________________________________________

8. When visually inspecting electrical equipment, what should you be looking for? _____________________

9. Name a slip, trip, or fall hazard that is common in your office: _________________________________

10. Describe an effective way to reduce exposure to repetitive motion: ____________________________


Quiz Answers

1. Poor posture and repetitive motions.

2. Notify others by sounding an alarm, using the paging system, or yelling.

3. Space heaters.

4. True.

5. Material handling aids such as forklift, pallet jack, hand truck, cart, dolly, etc.


Quiz Answers (cont.)

6. Control your reaction, eat right and exercise, avoid stressful situations, have quiet time.

7. Scissors, box knife, paper cutter, envelope opener.

8. Damaged cord, broken prongs, evidence of short circuiting.

9. Extension cords, water on floor, ripped carpet, open file drawers.

10. Alternate tasks, take mini-breaks.


Documents

11006134/0112 Copyright © 2001 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. BLR’s Safety Training Presentations Office Hazards