Office Safety HSE Presentation HSE Formats.ppt
- 3. 3 Office Safety EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY We may not typically consider the office environment hazardous, a surprising number of accidents and injuries occur there. Some of the common types of hazards and concerns include falling objects; slips, trips and falls; fires; cumulative trauma disorders; electrical shock; exposure to hazardous chemicals; and back injuries. The office has many more potential hazards than we often realize. Good housekeeping, common sense and paying attention to details are often all we need to do to adequately control these hazards.
- 4. 4 Introduction In addition to obvious hazards such as a slippery floor or an open file drawer, a modern office may also contain hazards such as poor lighting, noise, poorly designed furniture and equipment, and machines which emit noxious gases and fumes. Even the nature of office work itself has produced a whole host of stress-related symptoms and musculoskeletal strains. For example, long hours at the video display terminal (VDT) can cause pains in the neck and back, eyestrain, and a general feeling of tension and irritability. This module includes the following sections: Leading Types of Disabling Accidents Common Office Safety and Health Hazards.
- 5. 5 Leading Types of Disabling Accidents It is estimated that office workers sustain 76,000 fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains, and contusions each year. The leading types of disabling accidents that occur within the office are: Falls Strains and over-exertion Struck by or striking objects Caught in or between objects. In addition, office workers are also injured as a result of foreign substances in the eye, spilled hot liquids, burns from fire, and electric shock. In recent years, illness has increased among the office worker population. This may be attributed, in part, to the increased presence of environmental toxins within the office and to stress- producing factors associated with the automated office. Resulting illnesses may include respiratory problems, skin diseases, and stress-related conditions.
- 6. 6 Common Office Safety and Health Hazards Ventilation Illumination Noise Physical Layout/Housekeeping Fire hazards Handling and Storage Hazards Electrical Equipment Office Furniture Office Machinery Ladders, Stands and Stools Office Tools Photocopying Machines Video Display Terminals
- 7. 7 Ventilation Sources of air pollution in the office that can cause health problems include: Natural agents (e.g., carbon monoxide, microorganisms, radon) Synthetic chemicals (e.g., formaldehyde, cleaning fluids, cigarette smoke, asbestos). An adequate office ventilation system which delivers quality indoor air and provides for comfortable humidity and temperature is a necessity. Where printing or copying machines are present, an exhaust ventilation system which draws particulates and gases away from the employees' breathing zone should be present. Office machines and ventilation system components should be checked and maintained on a regular basis.
- 8. 8 Illumination Lighting problems in the office cause: Glare Shadows Visual problems (i.e., eyestrain, fatigue, double-vision, etc.). Poor lighting also can be a contributing factor in accidents. Controls to prevent poor lighting conditions include: Regular maintenance of the lighting system Light-colored dull finish on walls, ceilings, and floors to reduce glare Adjustable shades on windows Indirect lighting.
- 9. 9 Noise In an office, workers can be subjected to many noise sources, such as: Video display terminals High-speed printers Telephones Human voices. Noise can produce tension and stress, as well as damage to hearing. Some of the numerous measures available to control unwanted noise include: Place noisy machines in an enclosed space Use carpeting, draperies, and acoustical ceiling tiles to muffle noise Adjust telephone volume to its lowest level Rearrange traffic routes within the office to reduce traffic within and between work areas.
- 10. 10 Physical Layout/Housekeeping Poor design and/or poor housekeeping can lead to crowding, lack of privacy, slips, trips, and falls. The following are important factors related to office layout and orderliness: At least 3 feet distance between desks and at least 50 square feet per employee Keep telephone and electrical cords out of aisles Group employees who use the same machines Office machines should be kept away from edges of desks and tables Regular inspection, repair, and replacement of faulty carpets Place mats inside building entrances Proper placement of electrical, telephone, and computer wires.
- 11. 11 Exits/Egress Blocked or improperly planned means of egress can lead to injuries as a result of slips, trips, and falls. If, during an emergency, employees become trapped due to improper egress, more serious injuries or fatalities may result. Controls to ensure proper means of egress include: All exit access must be at least 28 inches wide Generally two exits should be provided Exits and access to exits must be marked Means of egress, including stairways used for emergency exit, should be free of obstructions and adequately lit Employees must be aware of exits and trained in procedures for evacuation.
- 12. 12 Fire Hazards A serious problem associated with office design is the potential for creating fire hazards. Another danger found in modern offices is combustible materials (e.g., furniture, rugs, fibers) which can easily ignite and often emit toxic fumes. A number of steps can be taken to reduce office fire hazards: Store unused records/papers in fire resistant files or vaults Use flame-retardant materials Smoke only in designated areas and use proper ashtrays Fire extinguishers and alarms should be conspicuously placed and accessible
- 13. 13 Handling and Storage Hazards Improper lifting can cause musculoskeletal disorders such as sprains, strains, and inflamed joints. Office materials that are improperly stored can lead to hazards such as objects falling on workers, poor visibility, and fires. There are several controls which can reduce handling and storage hazards. Materials should not be stored on top of cabinets. Heavy objects should be stored on lower shelves and materials stacked neatly. Materials should be stored inside cabinets, files, or lockers whenever possible. Materials must not be stored in aisles, corners, or passageways. Fire equipment should remain unobstructed. Flammable and combustible materials must be identified and properly stored. Material Safety Data Sheets must be provided for each hazardous chemical identified. An effective control program incorporating employee awareness and training and ergonomic design of work tasks can reduce back injuries.
- 14. 14 Electrical Equipment Electrical accidents in an office usually occur as a result of faulty or defective equipment, unsafe installation, or misuse of equipment. The following guidelines should be adhered to when installing or using electrical equipment: Equipment must be properly grounded to prevent shock injuries A sufficient number of outlets will prevent circuit overloading Avoid the use of poorly maintained or non-approved equipment Cords should not be dragged over nails, hooks, or other sharp objects Receptacles should be installed and electric equipment maintained so that no live parts are exposed Machines should be disconnected before cleaning or adjusting. Generally, machines and equipment should be locked or tagged out during maintenance.
- 15. 15 Office Furniture Defective furniture or misuse of chairs or file cabinets by office workers can lead to serious injuries. Listed here are controls related to chairs and cabinets: Chairs should be properly designed and regularly inspected for missing casters, shaky legs, and loose parts Do not lean back in a chair with your feet on a desk Do not scoot across the floor while sitting on a chair Never stand on a chair to reach an overhead object Open only one file drawer at a time Do not locate file cabinets close to doorways or in aisles Use drawer handles to close file drawers.
- 16. 16 Office Machinery Machines with ingoing nip points or rotating parts can cause lacerations, abrasions, fractures, and amputations if not adequately guarded. Machines such as conveyors, electric hole punches, and paper shredders with hazardous moving parts must be guarded so that office workers cannot contact the moving parts. Fans must have substantial bases and fan blades must be properly guarded.
- 17. 17 Ladders, Stands, and Stools Improper use of ladders, ladder stands, and stools can lead to falls. The following controls will help reduce ladder related injuries: Workers should always face the ladder when climbing up or down Ladders should be inspected regularly to ensure they are in good condition The top of a ladder should not be used as a step Ladders must only be used when they are fully open and the spreaders are locked.
- 18. 18 Office Tools Misuse of office tools, such as pens, pencils, paper, letter openers, scissors, and staplers, can cause cuts, punctures, and related infections. Injuries can be prevented by following precautions when using these materials: Paper cutters - Keep blade closed when not in use. A guard should be provided and fingers should be kept clear Staplers - Always use a staple remover. Never test a jammed stapler with your thumb Pencils, pens, scissors, etc. - Store sharp objects in a drawer or with the point down. Never hand someone a sharp object point first.
- 19. 19 Photocopying Machines Potential health hazards associated with photocopying machines include: Toxic chemicals Excessive noise Intense light. Photocopying machines can also be a source of indoor air pollution when used in offices that are not well ventilated. Use the controls listed below to reduce hazards: Keep the document cover closed Reduce noise exposure by isolating the machine Place machines in well-ventilated rooms away from workers' desks Have machines serviced routinely to prevent chemical emissions Avoid skin contact with photocopying chemicals Clean all spills and dispose of waste properly.
- 20. 20 Video Display Terminals Health hazards related to video display terminal (VDT) use involve: Radiation Noise Eye irritation Low-back, neck, and shoulder pain Stress. Studies have shown that the radiation levels emitted from VDTs are well below those allowed by current standards. However, to minimize any potential exposure, only equipment for which the manufacturer will supply data on emissions should be used. To minimize noise, VDTs should not be clustered and sound absorbent screens can be used if needed.
- 21. 21 Video Display Terminals Proper ergonomic design includes the relation of the operator to the screen, background, lighting, and operator's posture. All of these design elements should be carefully tailored to prevent discomfort. The keyboard position, document holder, screen design, characters, and color are all factors to consider. Vision testing should be conducted before office workers operate VDTs and annually thereafter. Work breaks and variation of tasks enable VDT operators to rest their eyes. Postural strain related to VDT use can be relieved by performing simple exercises. Finally, a training program should be conducted to inform workers of the capabilities of the equipment they are using.
- 22. 22 Putting too much on a shelf causing to collapse Office Safety
- 23. 23 Office Safety People leave the bottom drawers of filing cabinets open which become tripping hazards
- 24. 24 Office Safety Overloading the top drawers of filing cabinets which can make them unstable and cause them to topple
- 25. 25 Office Safety Using an ordinary chair instead of proper steps, to reach up to a height
- 26. 26 Office Safety Spilling tea, coffee or other soft drinks on a tiled floor which creates a slippery surface. This is particularly hazardous if it happens to be at the top of a stairway.
- 27. 27 Office Safety Cables scattered on the floor Rushing all the works / shortcuts can cause major accident Proper handling of materials is essential in office works
- 28. 28 Summary Safety in the office is critical. Some people have difficulty implementing safety and health in their daily work activities. For this reason, it may be easier to learn from some examples and get guidance by following specific procedures. These techniques help demonstrate and identify safe and unsafe work practices, and therefore reduce the number of hazards.