How to Work Safely in the Office

Discussions about safety in the workplace usually bring images to mind of factory workers, warehouses and heavy equipment. However, according to the National Safety Council, thousands of employees suffer disabling injuries in the OFFICE each year.

The Council offers these suggestions to help avoid office injuries:

1. Keep boxes or other materials out of hallways or other high–traffic areas. Falls are the leading cause of injuries in the office.
2. Keep electrical cords out of areas where people could trip on them. At the very least, if cords must pass through these areas, tape them down firmly and securely.
3. Clean up any spills right away.
4. When cleaning floors, place caution signs to warn others of wet, slick conditions.
5. Close file and desk drawers after you finish using them. Drawers can present a tripping hazard.
6. Don't overload extension cords. Any extension cords should have the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label. Computers should be plugged into surge suppressors to reduce the chance of fire.
7. Inspect office equipment regularly for problems.
8. Conduct regular fire inspections and fire drills.
9. Be sure each department has access to a first–aid kit.
10. Form an office safety team to address employee concerns and questions.
11. Above all, if you come across a safety problem, take action to correct it immediately.

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