7th December 2018
In
Commercial, Retail and Offices
10 AVOIDABLE OFFICE HAZARDS
Workplace health and safety pitfalls can be costly, both to employee wellbeing and to your budget if an incident leaves you liable.
Prevent avoidable accidents by keeping an eye out for the following ten often-overlooked hazards which lurk in almost every office environment.
- Clear up clutter
Whether it’s boxes, files and overflowing paperwork or bags and personal effects, maintain a clear-floor policy to avoid trips and falls. - Don’t use office chairs as stepladders
It’s tempting to put up the Christmas decs by hopping onto your rolling wheelie chair – but think twice and get the stepladder out. - Balance your books
Filing cabinets with too many open drawers, or badly-stacked shelving units, could all tip over and strike a worker. Attach them to walls and floors where possible. - Don’t go power mad
Though your office is likely to be brimming with equipment, don’t overload sockets or plug extension leads into each other, and ensure any you do use have circuit breakers. - Out of sight
Tidy away dangling telephone wires and other cables in cable protectors, or install under-floor outlets, to avoid trip hazards. - An unwelcome surprise
Never leave filing cabinet drawers or cupboards open, as they could give an unsuspecting employee a nasty bang on the head. - Light up the room
Changing a blown lightbulb can be the last thing on your to-do list. But inadequate lighting is a major cause of bumps and trips, so make sure your replace it quickly. - Don’t hang loose
Tie back long hair, secure loose clothes and remove dangling jewellery before using office equipment including shredders, photocopiers and paper cutters. - Keep your feet on the floor
It might sound strange, but back, neck and other health injuries come from sitting badly at your desk. Providing adjustable chairs and desks can help. - Education, education, education
Make sure everybody in your office is familiar with the location of fire exits, assembly point and any other safety essentials like fire blankets.
Everybody in the business has a part to play in Health and Safety, carrying out risk assessments whenever appropriate and keeping up-to-date records. Back up your best practice with comprehensive Public and Employers’ Liability covers, arranged with efficiency and accuracy by Howard Insurance Services.