Office Safety

Common Hazards

Although accidents involving office personnel generally occur less

frequently than mishaps to industrial workers, they do still occur and
can result in serious injuries and even death. Common office hazards
include:
 Slips, trips and falls (account for the most accidents)
 Tools and equipment
 Electrical and flammable hazards

Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention

 Watch for spills and caution signs  Store items waist high or lower
 Report uneven flooring  Store heavy items at the bottom
 Ensure good lighting  Climb step stools/ladders, NOT chairs
 Keep pathways clear  Use floor mats in kitchen/food areas
 Pick up debris and fallen objects

Tool and Equipment Injury Prevention

 Open one file cabinet drawer at a time
 Store heavy items in bottom drawers
 Face ladder when climbing
 Keep both hands on ladder
 Only one person at a time on a ladder
 Move ladder instead of overreaching
 NEVER stand on top two steps of ladder
 Avoid hurrying around office
 Report damaged furniture immediately
 Dispose of blades in an appropriate
container for sharp object disposal
 Avoid paper cuts by using finger guards
 Store pencils/pens with points down
 Box sharp objects before placing in
drawers

Electrical and Flammable Hazard Prevention

 Prohibit smoking or use designated smoking areas

 Do not leave microwaves unattended when cooking food
 Keep flammables away from hot appliances
 Turn off appliances when not in use
 Do not overload outlets
 Do not use power strips for appliances
 Grip the receptacle – not the cord – when removing from the outlet
 Turn off and remove power sources on equipment before servicing
 Replace damaged/broken cords
 Minimize the use of extension cords
 Use surge protectors as required
 Do not alter electrical connectors

This job aid is intended to provide you with supplemental information associated with UL courseware.
© COPYRIGHT Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.

T: 1.888.202.3016 / W: www.ulehssustainability.com
 Safety Briefings

At the beginning of any meeting, conduct a safety briefing

that identifies:
 Room hazards
 Emergency phone numbers
 Locations of exits and fire equipment
 Assembly point for evacuation
 Designated first-aid/CPR-trained responders
 Location of emergency equipment such as first aid kits
and automated external defibrillators (AED)

Emergencies

In the event of a fire:

 Sound the fire alarm and notify occupants to evacuate
 Only use a fire extinguisher if you have sounded the fire alarm, the fire is small, you’ve been
properly trained to use a fire extinguisher, and you have a clear exit from the area
 Follow the emergency response procedures for your specific location

When contacting the authorities in emergency situations involving an injury:

 Provide your name, location, name of the injured party and description of injury
 Perform first aid or CPR only if you are a trained responder

In the event of an emergency involving bad weather:

 Proceed to your designated storm shelter
 When traveling or visiting another site, identify the local emergency procedures

Lifting Techniques

Lifting items incorrectly can put stress on your muscles and joints, leading to sprains, strains, hernia
and back stress. Around your desk area, don’t twist to reach something. When you are moving heavy
items, use a cart. If no cart is available, or if an item is too heavy, ask for help.

Proper lifting steps:

1. Prepare for the lift (lifting plan) 3. Tighten your stomach muscles
2. Get a firm grip 4. Perform the lift

Incident Reporting

 Report all incidents to supervisors as soon as possible

 Incident investigations can identify ways to reduce or eliminate future injuries/damage

Parking Lots

Pedestrians should always walk in designated aisles, watch for backup lights and refrain from walking
between vehicles. Be visible, be predictable and communicate with drivers.

This job aid is intended to provide you with supplemental information associated with UL courseware.
© COPYRIGHT Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.

T: 1.888.202.3016 / W: www.ulehssustainability.com
 Healthy Lifestyle

People in good health are less prone to injury and illness. To stay fit and healthy:
 Eat a balanced diet rich in vegetables and fruits, and drink lots of water
 Reduce the amount of sugar, refined foods and fat that you eat
 Maintain a healthy weight
 Incorporate exercise into your life
o Ideally, you should do some sort of moderate aerobic exercise 3-5 times a week
o Consult your personal physician before starting any new exercise routine
 Get plenty of rest
 Investigate healthy lifestyle programs available through work or your community
 Tobacco use remains the single most preventable cause of death

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE is rarely required in the office. However, prior to visiting a construction or manufacturing area,
contact the site for specific PPE requirements. These may include:
 Safety glasses with side shields
 Hearing protection
 Foot protection
o Open-toed, high-heeled shoes and sandals are not permitted

Common Security Policies

 Many facilities have written policies to ensure a secure and safe work environment
 Security controls include facility fencing, exterior lighting, gate control and badge access
 Pedestrian traffic entering and exiting facilities might be required to have appropriate
identification, such as a badge or pass
o Many facilities require that passes/badges are clearly displayed at all times
 Visitors, including contractors, may need to register with security personnel or a receptionist to
record their visits and to gain access
 Company representatives or appropriate individuals should escort visitors at all times unless
special authorization has been granted
 When parking vehicles on or near company property, be aware of local parking restrictions to
avoid violations
 Security measures should address gate control and material delivery and removal
o Supplier vehicles and drivers may need to secure passes for themselves and their
vehicles before entering a facility
o Special office deliveries may require additional precautions to verify package contents

This job aid is intended to provide you with supplemental information associated with UL courseware.
© COPYRIGHT Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.

T: 1.888.202.3016 / W: www.ulehssustainability.com