People don’t usually think of offices as places where workplace safety measures have to be taken into consideration, but the fact remains that standards for workplace safety don’t just apply to factories and industrial facilities.
It’s just as important to be aware of your surroundings even in the confines of an apparently comfy office setting. This applies not only to potential hazard awareness and employee behavior, but also your own work habits and work area as well.
Just because you’re not being exposed directly to chemicals, heat environments, the elements, or heavy machinery doesn’t mean there aren’t safety hazards and health risks to be aware of. In fact, it’s very likely that in such places as offices, people don’t pay as much attention and get wrapped up in routine, increasing the risk of an accident occurring from not paying attention or not practicing certain safety measures.
Avoid Clutter and Be Mindful
Be mindful of where you’re walking and if you see anything in the wrong place where it could obstruct foot traffic or cause an accident, take the appropriate measures to correct the situation, or notify the right person that can do it for you.
A crowded, cluttered work space can lead to accidents. Tripping is actually one of the most common ways people are injured on the job. Tripping occurs not only because of clutter but because of overly wet floors or due to spills and other such negligence.
It’s important in these kinds of cases to keep your awareness up. You can’t expect everyone else to be perfect 100% of the time, especially in a stressful, face-paced work environment. If you see something out of place, correct it if you can, but practice good safety measures if the situation warrants it.
General tidiness and minimalism should be practiced whenever possible.
If a shelf above your cubicle or nearby to your workspace is overstuffed, objects could easily fall off and injure you or someone else. Be mindful of where you place things, avoid stacking boxes and other items, make sure all food and containers are disposed of properly, and don’t let paperwork or anything else remain where other people could step on it.
This kind of stuff may come across as common sense, but it’s not. Thousands of people are injured every year due to accidents caused by negligence and workplace clutter, which is why there are regulations and guidelines that places of business must follow. A cluttered workplace is a hazardous workplace. Do what you can to keep where you work tidy at all times.
Emergency Situations
Are you and your coworkers prepared for emergency situations? Every year, American workers are harmed because of not following proper protocol during emergencies of all kinds. This includes power outages, repairing or replacing fixtures, fires, floods, storms, and other situations.
Review your company protocol and figure out what you’re supposed to do in times of emergency. It also pays to ask and understand what you are supposed to do during “small emergencies” such as a brown out. Make sure your workspace is prepared for electrical surges.
The hallways and areas near your desk should be clutter free so you can move properly in the dark without fear of tripping or hurting yourself. Flashlights should be readily available in a place that can be accessed without too much hassle. In case of fire or other issue, you should be well aware of fire exits and these doors must not be obstructed.
Yes, workplace safety seems like something that everyone just “knows,” but this isn’t the case. The best way to prevent injury and issues is to be proactive. Make sure your workspace is free of clutter and is as minimalist as possible, and understand your company protocol for all kinds of emergencies. Your office or workplace should be easy to navigate even during an emergency.