OFFICE SAFETY

SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS

Falls are the most common office accident and result in the greatest number of disabling injuries.

Good housekeeping Filing areas

Store heavy materials in bottom drawers.

Close drawers after each use. Only open one drawer at a time. Use the handles of the drawers when

opening and closing.

SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS (cont.)

Stairs and walkways Keep clear of debris, cords, boxes

and storage. Pick up dropped pens, paper,

paperclips. Do not let trash areas overflow

onto the floor. Clean spills immediately. Report damaged flooring, worn

carpet, warn skid strips on stairs. Use stepladders for overhead

reaching, never use a chair. Never carry anything that

obstructs your vision. Wear shoes with non-slip soles.

SAFE LIFTING TECHNIQUES

Make sure your feet are planted firmly on even ground.

Keep the back in its neutral position. Grip the object with both hands. Draw the item close to your body. Keep your elbows close to your body. Use your knees, not your back. Never twist when lifting. Avoid lifting from a seated position.

SAFE LIFTING TECHNIQUES (cont.)

Improve your workspace If you are twisting while lifting, try

to rearrange your workspace to avoid it. Twisting causes stress on the back and you are much more likely to cause a back injury by twisting.

Rotate from sitting to standing if possible.

Store materials at knee level and off the floor.

Break up loads. Use a hand truck or cart.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

If the equipment is manufactured with a grounded plug never remove the grounding prong.

Do not overload electrical outlets.

Use good quality appliances that have been tested by a national testing laboratory such as UL.

Avoid running cords across walkways.

WORKSTATION ERGONOMICS

Ergonomics-fitting the job to the employee by modifying the job, workstation, tool or environment.

Incorrect computer station set-ups can result in strains and pains.

Workstation- Chair A properly designed chair should

provide appropriate support for the back, legs, buttocks, and arms.

The following items are critical to employees who spend extended hours at the workstation:

1. Seat position2. Chair Height3. Armrest

Chair- Seat Position The seat and backrest of the chair

should support a comfortable posture that allows frequent changing of the seating position.

The seat pan should be padded and have a rounded “waterfall” edge which reduces contact stress with the back of the legs.

Chair- Height The chair should be height adjustable,

especially in areas where they are shared by a number of employees.

The chair height is proper when the entire sole of the foot can rest on the floor and the back of the knees are slightly higher than the seat of the chair.

Knees should be bent at about 90 degrees.

Chair- Armrest Armrests should be adjustable so

they can be lowered to fit under work surfaces.

Armrests should support forearms while the employee performs tasks and should not interfere with movement.

Workstation- Monitor and Document

Monitor and document placement is important in creating a comfortable workstation.

Consider the following items in order to reduce awkward head and neck postures, fatigue and/or headaches: 1. Display2. Source Document Position

Monitor- Display The monitor should be kept directly in

front of the user. The topmost line of the screen should

be no higher than the user’s eyes. The preferred viewing distance is 18

to 24 inches. If there is not enough table depth to accommodate this distance, install a keyboard extender or tray underneath the desk.

Monitor- Display (cont.)

Viewing the monitor for long periods of time can cause eye fatigue and dryness.

Rest eyes periodically by focusing on an object at least 20 feet away.

Stop, look away, blink and/or stretch at regular intervals.

Document- Source Position

The screen and document holder should be close enough together so the operator can look from one to the other without excessive movement of the head, neck or back.

Workstation- Keyboard and Mouse

The proper position of the keyboard and mouse is essential in creating a comfortable workstation. Consideration of the following factors can help prevent musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis:

1. Height and Orientation2. Placement3. Design and Use

Keyboard and Mouse- Height and Orientation

The keyboard and/or chair should be adjusted so the employee’s elbows hang comfortably at the side of the body.

Shoulders should be relaxed and the wrists should not be bent up or down or to either side.

The angle of the keyboard should also be considered.

Keyboard and Mouse- Placement

The keyboard should be placed directly in front of the user.

The mouse should be positioned at the operator's side with his or her arm close to the body.

The upper arm should not be elevated or extended while using the mouse.

Keyboard and Mouse- Design and Use

Wrists should not be bent sideways or up and down while keying.

Reduce bending of the wrists by moving the entire arm.

A mouse pad or wrist rest can be used to help maintain straight wrists.

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Environment- Lighting

Inappropriate lighting is a major factor in visual discomforts such as eyestrain, burning or itching eyes, headache, and blurred vision.

For optimal comfort, the following factors should be considered: Amount of light Contrast of light with environment

Lighting- Amount of Light

Bright light on the display screen "washes out" images making it difficult for operators to clearly see the work.

Use light diffusers, desk/task lighting, or try removing middle bulbs of 4-bulb fluorescent light fixtures.

                         

Lighting- Amount of Light (cont.)

Use blinds or drapes on windows to eliminate bright light.

You may want to reorient your workstation so that bright lights are not in your field of view.

Lighting- Contrast with Environment

To avoid high contrast between light and dark areas of the computer screen, work area, and surrounding areas use well distributed light.

Use light, matte colors on walls and ceilings in order to better reflect indirect lighting and reduce dark shadows and contrast.

Environment- Glare Glare on the viewing screen may cause

eyestrain, headaches and fatigue. The worker may not be conscious of the irritation; however, over the course of a long day, it can cause problems. The following sources of light may cause glare:

1. Direct 2. Reflected

                     

Glare- Direct Orient workstations so that light sources do not

reflect on the screen. Use blinds or drapes on windows to help reduce

glare. Clean the monitor frequently. A layer of dust can

contribute to glare. If nothing else works, you may try a glare screen

that attaches to the monitor.

Glare- Reflected

To limit reflection from walls and work surfaces around the screen, these areas should be painted a medium color and have a non-reflective finish.

Tilt the monitor down slightly to prevent it from reflecting overhead light.

Work Process Even when the workstation design and

environmental factors are at their best, a worker can suffer discomfort and injuries from factors related to the work process. Prolonged and Repetitive Activities Inappropriate Production Requirements Excessive Overtime Inadequate Medical Awareness Inadequate Training

                          

Prolonged and Repetitive Activities

Although computer work may appear to require little exertion, repetitive movements can lead to pain or injury.

Workstations should be provided so employees can change working posture.

Rest breaks Alternative job duties