Office SafetyNovember 2010

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What You Need to Know

Emergency procedures

Fire prevention

Preventing common office injuries

Ergonomic safety

Back safety

Stress management

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Emergency - Fire Response

If you see a fire: Call the Receptionist and

activate the fire alarm

Evacuate promptly – do not attempt to fight the fire if you have not been trained to do so

DO NOT use the elevator

Report to your designated Emergency Evacuation Site

Remain calm

DO NOT leave the Emergency Evacuation Site

Follow the instructions of your supervisor & site leader

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Emergency Medical Procedures

Notify your supervisor immediately

Call a First Aid/CPR Team member to help the injured employee

If necessary call an ambulance - 911

Do not delay suitable medical treatment

Use gloves to protect against bloodborne pathogens

Know the location of first-aid kits & AEDs

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Fire Hazards

Flammable or combustible liquids Make sure that any flammable or

combustible liquids kept in the office are stored in appropriate flammable cabinets and kept away from heat and flames. Do not bring any chemicals from home.

Storage of combustible materials Combustible materials such as

paper, cardboard, and trash should be kept away from hot equipment or electrical equipment.

Electrical cords and plugs Damaged electrical cords and plugs

can overheat causing fires. Be sure to inspect electrical cords regularly and have them replaced if they are damaged.

Space heaters Space heaters are not permitted

at work. Do not bring any electrical appliances from home.

Smoking Smoking in restrooms or

anywhere other than a designated smoking area is strictly prohibited.

DO NOT us extension cords for extended periods of time. They are intended for short-term use only.

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Slips, Trips, and Falls

Spills and wet floors Spilled coffee/liquid on the floor

may result in slip/fall, and serious injury. Report and/or clean-up all spills immediately.

Damaged carpet/flooring Be sure to report any problems

with flooring immediately. Be aware of traction changes between carpet and tile.

Cords in walkways Avoid laying cords or other trip

hazards where people walk.

Improperly stored items Do not store items in

walkways or on the floor around your desk.

Open drawers Be sure to close desk or file

cabinet drawers as soon as you are done using them.

Standing on chairs Standing on a chair is

prohibited. Ask for help if you need to obtain objects stored on high shelves.

Good housekeeping is essential to the prevention of slip, trip/fall injuries – “a place for everything and everything in it’s place.” Always watch where you are walking and wear appropriate footwear.

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Electrical Hazards

Outlets and circuits Do not to overload outlets

and circuits. Too many office machines plugged into one outlet may overload the circuit, overheat wiring, and cause a fire.

Electrical cords and plugs Damaged electrical cords

and plugs may create fire hazards and result in electrical shock. Damaged cords and plugs should be reported and replaced right away.

Electrical equipment Visually pre-inspect electrical

equipment prior to each use. Any piece of equipment that shocks, smells, sparks, or smokes should be turned off immediately and reported.

Electrical repairs Leave any electrical repairs

to a qualified electrician. DO NOT try to fix electrical equipment yourself. Report it and leave the repairs to an expert.

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Safe Stacking & Storing

Safe Stacking & Storage Make sure items are stored in a safe

place and that the shelves can hold the weight.

Stack items evenly and carefully, placing heavier, larger items on the bottom so that the stack does not topple over.

Do not stack too high – check stability. Also make sure to allow at least 18 inches of clearance under fire sprinkler heads, and keep items clear of overhead lights.

When you are finished stacking or storing items, inspect your work to make sure it is safe & secure.

DO NOT store anything on the top of file cabinets or storage cabinets

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Preventing Cuts & Bruises

Box knives Always cut away, never

toward your body. Be sure to close the blade as soon as you are done using the knife.

Scissors Scissors with sharp points

can cut or puncture skin. Use caution when using scissors.

Paper cutters/shear Improper use of paper cutters

can result in severe a laceration. Keep hands away from the blade when cutting. When finished, put the blade in the down position and latch it.

Pinch points Be aware of pinch points.

For example, hands/fingers can get pinched under a heavy box as you put it down. Or you could get a finger pinched/caught as you close a desk drawer.

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Office Ergonomics: Risk Factors

Repetition Office workers may be

exposed to risks created by repetitive motions - for example keyboarding and using a mouse.

Posture Maintaining an awkward

posture for long periods is another risk factor for office workers. Examples may include extending arms to type, hunching shoulders, bending or twisting neck, or leaning forward to get closer to the computer screen.

Force Force may be another risk

factor for some people in the office. Constant lifting, bending, reaching, pushing, or pulling could result in an ergonomic injury.

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Office Ergonomics: Proper Posture

Head facing straight ahead To keep your head aligned properly, place

your monitor directly in front of you about an arm’s length away. The screen should be positioned so that while you work your eyes remain level with a point about 2 to 3 inches below the top of the screen.

Knees bent 90 degrees When you sit, your knees should be bent

about 90 degrees so that they are comfortable. Choose a chair that can be adjusted for height and have a good, firm backrest to provide adequate lower back support. Be sure to sit all the way back in the chair so that your back is well supported.

Think about your posture while you work.

Feet flat on the floor or footrest Your feet should be resting flat on the

floor or footrest. Remove any obstructions from under your desk that interfere with the proper position of your legs & feet.

Wrists in line with forearms Adjust your keyboard to the right height

and tilt to keep your wrists comfortably straight. Remember not to rest your wrists on a wrist rest while typing. Only use a wrist rest during typing pauses.

Shoulders not hunched Keep your shoulders in a comfortable,

relaxed position—not hunched and tense. Adjustable armrests on your chair can help support your shoulders.

Elbows close to the side Also keep your elbows at your side while

keyboarding. Extending your elbows out when typing puts additional strain on your shoulders and elbow joints.

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Office Ergonomics

Alternate work activities Break up your day with different

tasks so that the same muscle groups are not used all day long.

Mini breaks Take mini breaks right at your

desk. Allow your hands to relax in a flat and straight posture. Shift your position, shrug your shoulders, and rotate your neck.

Stretching exercises

Hands - make a fist and then extend and spread your fingers.

Wrists and forearms - hold your arms straight out in front of your body and bend your hands up and down.

Shoulders – roll your shoulders back and forth or reach your arms overhead, stretch and bend gently from side to side.

Neck - move your head gently up and down and from side to side.

Back - stand up, place your hands on your hips, and arch gently backward.

Eye breaksTake eye breaks at

least every 15 minutes. Look

away from the monitor at something at least

20 feet away for about a minute.

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Back Safety

Maintain good back posture when sitting, standing, or lifting - keeping your back straight will help maintain strength and prevent muscle strain and disk problems.

Do not lift more than you can handle.Use material-handling aids.

Make sure you can see over and around loads you are carrying.

Do you always use proper lifting techniques when you have to lift

anything at work or at home?

Safe Lifting

Establish a wide and stable stance - your feet should be shoulder width apart.

Bend at your knees and keep your back straight - do not bend over at your waist.

Grip the object firmly - many injuries occur when people lose their grip and try to re-adjust.

Pull the object close to your body - holding an object away from your body as you lift results in greater strain on your back.

Tighten your stomach muscles – to take some of the strain off the back.

Keep your back straight and rise up using your leg muscles rather than your back muscles.

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Workplace Stress

Stress factors – job pressures, as well as personal problems, everyday annoyances, and lifestyle changes.

Symptoms of stress - include emotional distress such as anger, anxiety, or depression. You may also experience physical symptoms like headaches, neck or back pain, or stomach problems like heartburn.

Stress ManagementControl your reaction to stress - think positively rather than negatively. Exercise, eat right, and get enough sleep.Avoid stressful situations.Get organized - set priorities, develop routines, and maintain an accurate calendar of commitments.Laugh, relax, and take quiet time.

Benefits of stress - when channeled properly, stress can help you improve your focus and concentration. A

positive response to modest amounts of stress can improve your work performance and even help you become more confident.

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Questions ??

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