Offices are relatively safe work environments in comparison to factories, warehouses and other workplaces where one typically considers danger risks. However, there are some health and safety precautions to be taken around office equipment. Most of these are common sense concerns, but many employers and employees do not take the time to prevent potential injuries or disasters from occurring.
It is beneficial to both employers and employees to be mindful of potential office hazards. As an employer, you do not want to be liable for workman's compensation claims or lawsuits. You also will want your employees to be as productive as possible rather than being injured so that they will miss work or be unproductive. You also will not want to have to pay extra money through any employer provided assistance programs you offer. Therefore, when you purchase or install new office equipment, take into consideration any potential health and safety hazards.
The most common health concern related to office equipment is long term overuse injuries and conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and eye strain. These result from using computers and other equipment repetitively. Overuse injuries can affect the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders and back. There are ways to minimize these risks, such as encouraging stretching and eye exercises as well as investing in ergonomic equipment. Take some time to look into prevention of overuse injuries related to office equipment.
Some of the actual hazards in the office relate to equipment that is either not maintained properly or is not installed safely. Take time to check your office equipment regularly to make sure it is in safe condition. For example, desk chairs often have screws underneath the seats, connecting the seat to the base. After some use, especially in swiveling chairs, these screws can become loose and even fall off, causing the chair to swivel around, come off of the base, and dump the user on the floor. This is an easy injury to prevent with a little regular attention. Other related injuries can result from purchasing equipment that is less than safe in the first place. Sometimes, chairs are not built sturdily and may not be best for all body heights and weights. Sometimes, the back of a chair can lean back too far, causing the entire chair to tip backward. Make sure you try out any chairs that you purchase and tell your employees to familiarize themselves with potential concerns. Also make sure that any folding equipment, such as tables and chairs, are locked so they do not collapse or unfold suddenly.
One major office concern that many people do not think of is the risk of heavy equipment and furniture, such as filing cabinets, falling in the event of an earthquake or any event that causes instability. In order to prevent shelving and cabinets from toppling over, it is important to secure them to the wall by use of screws. While convenient, rolling file cabinets can also be a hazard in an earthquake.
Another concern is machines where body parts can become stuck or injured, such as copy machines, printers, fax machines and scanners. Employees should be notified of the risks of having long hair and loose clothing around these machines since it can easily become caught, injuring the whole person. Employers should make sure everyone in the office knows how to safely turn off all equipment in the event of an emergency. A similar concern is the possibility of hands and fingers being smashed by the lids of copy machines and scanners. Be sure to warn employees of these concerns.
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