SFM
A safety talk for successful
injury prevention
Office safety (1)
Introduction: n At your computer, use wrist rests, foot stools and
Accidents may seem unlikely in an office environment document holders when necessary.
when compared to construction jobsites or manufactur- n Adjust position and height of your computer moni-
ing plants, but an office has hazards too. Most office tor, chair, keyboard and mouse to avoid strain and
hazards are controllable and can be eliminated. Many fatigue. All desk materials should be easy to reach
office accidents happen when we take shortcuts, don’t n Avoid sustained postures and take frequent stretch
keep things in their proper place and don’t pay atten- breaks.
tion to the task at hand.
General Safety
n Do not place file cabinets where people could
Hazards to watch for and
procedures to follow: walk into open drawers. Never work in a lower
drawer with a top drawer open. Close drawers when
Avoid slips, trips and falls
unattended.
n Use handrails on stairs. Never place or store items
n Repair or replace file cabinets with damaged slides or
on stairs. Use caution when walking on wet floors or
tracks. Keep files loosely packed to prevent shoulder,
uneven surfaces.
arm and wrist injuries.
n Practice “cord management.” Extension cords should
n Anchor shelving, cabinets or other top heavy equip-
never be used as permanent wiring. Wires and cords
ment to the wall to prevent tipping.
should be placed away from walkways.
n Make sure lighting is appropriate for tasks being per-
n Never stand on a table, desk, boxes, or a chair when
formed.
reaching for items. Use a stepstool or stepladder.
n Wear appropriate footwear for the weather. Use prop-
In conclusion:
er travel paths such as sidewalks that are clear
Office settings are typically safe work environments.
of snow and sanded. Don’t take shortcuts.
However, when we take shortcuts, allow poor house-
Practice good office ergonomics keeping or don’t pay attention to the task at hand inju-
n Place the heaviest items on shelves between knee ries can happen.
and chest height. This reduces strain on the back and
Now let’s discuss our office and hazards and corrective
upper extremities when lifting.
actions we can take.
n Use carts or get help when lifting and carrying heavy
loads. Use proper lifting techniques. Keep items close
to your body when lifting.
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