An office isn’t the first workplace that comes to mind when you think about employee safety. But there are hidden dangers. Without the proper safety precautions in place, office workers are at risk.
This article will outline some effective ways to safeguard your office environment, keeping employers, customers, and visitors safe.
- Start by identifying hazards
Before you can put appropriate safety procedures in place, you’ll need to identify hazards. Remember—some risks are easy to identify, but others may take a little more thought.
To ensure you don’t miss any serious hazards, make sure every team member has their say. Employers in one part of your office may identify different problems to those working in another section.
To get you started, here are a few common hazards present in today’s offices:
- Tripping hazards, such as unsecured cables and wiring
- Computer use risks, like eye strain and postural problems
- Fire and electrical safety hazards
- Bullying and harassment
- Extreme temperatures
- Follow good workplace design principles
You can reduce—or totally eliminate—many of these risks by employing and maintaining clever design principles in your office space.
For example, all employees and visitors should have easy access to fire exits at all times. Make sure exits are always free from blockages—even briefly moving a table in front of the exit during cleaning is a substantial risk.
To ensure all employees have safe, comfortable workstations, you should:
- Invest in ergonomic equipment and furniture
- Reduce reflections and screen glare
- Ensure screens and keyboards sit at the right angle and height
- Ensure all equipment is adjustable
- Maintain a comfortable office temperature (around 22°C in summer and 24°C in winter)
You can also design your office environment to reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Loose cables and wires pose a serious risk—make sure to keep them away from the floor whenever possible. If it’s not viable to secure the wires and cables, highlight them with black and yellow hazard tape.
- Keep hazardous equipment out of reach
Unless an employee is authorised, they should not have access to hazardous equipment such as heavy-duty cleaning chemicals or electrical devices. These items may be necessary within the workplace—but if they fall into the wrong hands, danger ensues.
Invest in safe, secure storage to keep hazardous equipment out of reach. For example, a lockout station can keep electrical devices and tools—like plugs, electrical control points, and lockout valves—securely stored away.
- Encourage regular breaks
To protect employees from back pain, postural problems, and eye strain, encourage regular breaks. Sitting for extended periods can lead to lifelong problems like an increased risk of type II diabetes and heart disease.
You can try different methods to keep your employees active, including:
- Reminding them to take quick, regular breaks
- Encourage lunch breaks away from the desk
- Varying work tasks
- Installing standing desks
- Encouraging employees to go for a walk or two each day
Conclusion
Employee safety is vital in all industries—and office environments are no exception. By identifying all hazards, following proper workplace design principles, and keeping hazardous equipment stowed away, you can keep yourself, your employees, and visitors safe.
