BATIMENT ENGINEERING

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

(SAFETY AT THE OFFICE)

DATE: 21/09/2023
Safety at the office.

• Office safety (a.k.a. workplace safety) refers to the

working environment at a company or business and
encompasses all factors that impact the health,
wellbeing, and safety of those who work there.

• Office safety is key for the success of your business

and the happiness and well-being of your team.
Office Safety

• What most might consider safe office activities, such as

using a computer, preparing and filing paperwork, or just
walking about the office or building, can and have resulted
in accidents.
• So you see, even in an office setting . . . . . . . . . . accidents
and injuries can happen!
Importance of ensuring safety at the Office
• Increases Employee productivity
• Lowers absenteeism rates among employees
• Less time and money spent on accidents
• Enables projects to be finished on time
• Improves company credibility
• Reduces employee injuries
Potential Risks/hazards in the office
Slips, Trips and Falls
Ergonomic Injuries
Eye Strain
Electrical Hazards
Fire
1. Slips, Trips & Falls
Outdoor Walkways, Staircase & Parking Areas
• Trips on uneven walking surfaces.
• Slips and falls due to wet surfaces.
• Running down the staircase.

Indoor Hazards
• Trips on floor tiles that don’t lay flat.
• Trips on extension cords running across walkways.
• Trips due to poor housekeeping (clutter left on the floor).
• Falls due to improper use of office chairs.
• Not looking before sitting
• Chair being used as a ladder
1. Slips, Trips and Falls

How to reduce/prevent
• Walk, Don’t run.
• Routine servicing of office furniture.
• Proper house keeping.
• Wear proper shoes with non-slip soles.
• Ensure there is proper lighting in the office.
• Routine repair of floor tiles or Carpet
• Keep a tidy office - look professional and avoid accidents
2. Ergonomics Hazards.

• Office workers spend many hours a day seated at a desk, working on a computer,
resulting in ergonomic strains and other injuries related to posture and repetitive
movement. These types of hazards can be difficult to detect.
• Ergonomics - fancy word for the science of arranging and adjusting the work
environment to fit the employees body.
• Ergonomic risk factors are workplace situations that cause wear and tear on the
body and can cause injury.
• These include repetition, awkward posture, forceful motion, stationary position
(Poor sitting posture), direct pressure, vibration, extreme temperatures, noise,
and work stress.
2. Ergonomic Hazards

Poor sitting Posture

• Tilting backwards while sitting down
• Improper chair adjustment
• Slouching or leaning forward while focusing
on the monitor
• Improper work station geometry.
2. Ergonomic Hazards

Prevention
• Position the chair, keyboard and monitor in a straight line with your body.
• Maintain a relaxed, neutral posture.
• Sit up straight, adjusting the chair to provide firm back support.
• Let your arms hang loosely at the shoulders.
• Keep your elbows at a 90-degree angle while typing.
• Use an adjustable keyboard tray to position your keyboard and mouse at a
comfortable height (usually lower than the desk surface). Place your mouse next
to the keyboard, and keep it as close as possible to your body, to avoid reaching.
• Adjust the chair’s height so that your feet are firmly on the ground.
3. Eye Strain

• Spending a large portion of your workday at the computer

can cause eyestrain. Eyes may become dry and irritated,
and workers may begin having trouble focusing. Light levels
should be suitable for the work task—for instance, manual
detail work may require higher levels of lighting, but staring
at a computer monitor does not.
3. Eye Strain
Prevention
• Blink more often.
• Position your screen monitor 16-27 inches away from
your eyes.
• Take frequent breaks to focus your eyes on something
else at least 20 feet away or switch to a different task.
• Cut down on excessive screen glare by closing blinds on
windows and dimming the overhead lights.
• Correctly positioning monitors slightly below eye level,
minimizing screen glare and increasing computer font
size
4. Electrical Hazards
In the office, electrical safety at work is important. Electrical incidents
and injuries that occur in an office environment are usually the result of
faulty or defective equipment/chords, unsafe installation, or misuse of
equipment like extension cords, power strips and surge protectors.
Prevention
• Regularly inspect electrical cables to ensure they
are not frayed, cracked or otherwise damaged.
• Avoid overloading wall outlets (Do not plug in too
many items that require power at once).
• Do not use an extension cord or a power strip with
portable heaters or fans, which could cause cords
to overheat and result in a fire. These devices
should be plugged directly into a wall outlet.
• Do not plug or unplug anything while your hands
are wet.
Ways to create a safe Working Environment
i. Being aware and identifying workplace hazards.
ii. Implementing Workplace Safety programs.
iii. Providing proper safety trainings to employees.
iv. Reporting unsafe working conditions
v. Practicing Correct Posture
vi. Reducing Workplace stress
vii. Promoting regular breaks
viii. Use caution while handling office equipment.
THANK YOU