Office Hazards

Office Hazards

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0612

Session ObjectivesYou will be able to:•Recognize office hazards•Know what to do in emergencies•Take proper precautions to avoid accidents•Reduce ergonomic risk factors•Use proper lifting techniques•Manage stress effectively


What You Need to Know•Emergency procedures•Fire prevention•Preventing common office injuries•Ergonomic safety•Back safety•Stress management


Office Hazards•Fires•Slips, trips, and falls•Electrical shocks and fires•Falling objects


Office Hazards (cont.)

•Cuts and bruises•Musculoskeletal

disorders•Back injuries•Stress


Emergency Procedures:Evacuation•Evacuation signal•Location of emergency

exits•Evacuation routes•Emergency exits and

access to exits


Emergency Procedures:Evacuation (cont.)

•Emergency duties•Designated meeting

area•Drills


Emergency Procedures:Fire Response•Activate the fire alarm •Call the fire department•Use an extinguisher on

small fires


Emergency Procedures:Medical Emergencies•Call for an ambulance

if necessary •Apply first aid•Use gloves to protect

against bloodborne pathogens

•Know the location of first-aid kits


Emergency Procedures:Natural Disasters•Be prepared•Have a survival kit•Listen for warnings and

instructions•Shelter in place or

evacuate


Fire Hazards•Flammable or

combustible liquids•Storage of combustible

materials•Electrical cords and

plugs•Space heaters•Smoking


Slips, Trips, and Falls•Spills and wet floors•Torn carpet or

damaged flooring•Cords in walkways•Improperly stored

items•Open drawers•Standing on chairs


Electrical Hazards•Outlets and circuits•Electrical cords and

plugs•Electrical equipment•Electrical repairs


Safe Stacking and Storing•Store items in a safe

place•Stack evenly and

carefully•Don’t stack too high•Make sure shelves can

hold the weight•Inspect your work


Preventing Cuts and Bruises•Box knives•Scissors•Paper cutters•Pinch points


Office Hazards And Precautions•Do you understand the

information presented in the previous slides?


Office Ergonomics:Risk Factors•Repetition•Posture•Force•Other factors


Office Ergonomics:Musculoskeletal Disorders•Injury to nervous

system or soft tissue•Pain in hands, wrists,

fingers, forearms, elbows, or joints

•How it feels•Report any MSD

symptoms immediately and seek medical treatment


Office Ergonomics:Proper Posture•Head facing straight

ahead•Knees bent 90 degrees•Feet flat on the floor or

footrest


Office Ergonomics:Proper Posture (cont.)

•Wrists in line with forearms

•Shoulders not hunched•Elbows close to the

side


Office Ergonomics:Reduce Repetition•Alternate work

activities•Minibreaks•Eye breaks


Office Ergonomics:Reduce Repetition (cont.)

Stretching exercises•Hands•Wrists and forearms•Shoulders•Neck•Back


Back Safety•Maintain good back

posture when sitting, standing, or lifting

•Do not lift more than you can handle

•Use material-handling aids

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


Safe Lifting•Establish a wide and

stable stance•Bend at your knees

and hips and squat down next to the object

•Grip the object firmly


Safe Lifting (cont.)

•Pull the object close•Tighten your stomach

muscles•Keep your back

straight•Rise up using your leg

muscles, not your back muscles


Ergonomic Hazards•Do you understand the

information presented in the previous slides?


Workplace Stress•Stress factors•Symptoms of stress•Episodic stress•Benefits of stress


Stress Management•Control your reaction to

stress•Exercise, eat right, and

get enough sleep•Avoid stressful

situations•Get organized•Laugh, relax, and take

quiet time


Key Points to Remember•Offices have many hazards•Keep alert and take precautions•Know how to respond to emergencies•Reduce exposure to ergonomic risk factors•Always lift safely•Manage stress effectively

Documents

Office Hazards