Office Safety
Do's and Dont's of Office Safety
It's important for you to know the do’s and don'ts when working in the office in order to increase both productivity and efficiency while minimizing any sort of physical discomfort and/or prevent workplace injuries.
Some topics to consider when reviewing office safety are:
- workstation ergonomics
- fire and electrical safety
- Hazard Communication
Workstation Ergonomics
Many office jobs involve long hours of sitting on a chair behind a computer screen, therefore it's important that the equipment you are using is properly adjusted to fit your comfort.
Chair
The correct chair is essential in maintaining proper body posture to provide a more comfortable sitting position. Both arms and feet are resting in front of you relaxed.
Keyboard and mouse
The positioning of both your keyboard and mouse also play a major factor in the comfort of working at your desk.
Both your shoulders and wrist should be relaxed, and elbows are kept near your body in a neutral position
Screen
The computer screen should always be tilted back, so that the bottom of the screen is closest to you.
The top of the screen should be at or below eye level and about 20 inches or arm’s length distance in front of you.
This will help minimize headaches and straining in the eyes when using a monitor for long periods.
Desk height
Desk should be in a position where your body is resting naturally, should be about the level of tour elbows and have a bend of approx. 90-120 degrees. Helps maintain better posture
Fire and electrical safety
Knowing about both electrical and fire safety can help reduce unwanted accidents and prevent any workplace injuries. Its important to know how to avoid hazards and be prepared for these kinds of emergency situations. Make sure you refer to the emergency response guide for instructions on how to prepare for emergencies.
Daisy-chaining
NEVER connect one power strip to another power strip. Always connect power strips directly to a power circuit. This will help reduce the chances of overloading a single circuit.
Avoid using damaged equipment
Always make sure to inspect all electrical equipment for any signs of damage before using them. Make sure to discard of any damaged equipment to avoid further use.
Unplug equipment
If possible, always make sure to unplug that equipment that is not being used. This helps reduce the chances of an unwanted fire and other electrical issues.
DO NOT leave food unattended
Never leave your food unattended in the microwave oven, this is known to cause many fire hazards in the workplace. Always wait until the microwave has completely stopped before leaving
Avoid food in workspace
Never bring food or drinks to workstation as it can spill and cause electrical hazards and hundreds of dollars in computer damage.
R.A.C.E.
In case a fire emergency were to occur in your work place its important to know how to act. It’s always important to know all exits and entries of the building you are in and the location of all fire extinguishers. A very good acronym to remember is RACE if you are encounter with a fire emergency. Rescue, Alar, Contain, Evacuate. Following these steps can help avoid the fire from spreading and prevent serious injuries.
P.A.S.S.
When encountered with a fire it’s important we know how to act safely. If the fire is small, we are encouraged to turn it off with a fire extinguisher. Always remember the acronym PASS when attempting to use a fire extinguisher. Point, Aim Squeeze, Sweep. If a fire is too large to turn off with a fire extinguisher, make sure to call 911 and get to a safe area.
Hazard communication
Depending on your workplace you may encounter yourself with many different kinds of chemicals. Some chemicals are known to be harmless while others can be extremely toxic. To learn more about what chemicals you may encounter in your work area please refer to the Cal/OSHA Standard for Hazard Communication.
It's always important to stay away from those chemicals you are unsure of and always read the labels, as many chemicals can be corrosive and/or harmful to humans.
Keep workstation clean
Always make sure to maintain a clean and safe work area. Never leave bags or other belongings on the floor, can cause falls or other injuries.
Hand Hygiene
Viruses and bacteria can be found in many workspace surfaces and can pose a huge concern to our overall health. In order to minimize the spread of bacteria it’s important to always practice safe hand hygiene.