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A well-functioning office is likely to have less accidents occur. However, there are always potential hazards in any office. Here are some hazards to keep in mind and tips to reduce your risk of accidents occurring.
Slipping and Tripping
Taking a spill is the most common hazard in an office place. In fact, about 85% of workers' compensation claims are due to slip and fall injuries. It sounds like an easy issue to avoid, but accidents present themselves in confined spaces with high foot traffic. Here are a few situations that can leads to a slip or trip accident:
Having a proactive approach can cut down on accidents and improve the safety of your office. This includes looking before walking and cleaning up spills immediately. If you see loose carpeting, tangled electrical cords or inadequate lighting that affects visibility, report them to a facilities worker to prevent an accident from occurring.
Fires
Office fires occur frequently. They cause over a hundred million dollars in property damage and several deaths each year. The leading causes of office fires are:
In order to prevent fire risks, try including a kitchen safety segment in your employee orientation and training presentations. You can also display signs throughout the kitchen on proper appliance use. Be sure to keep all cords protected and have any fraying or out-of-date equipment replaced. Have a certified electrician, not an employee, modify and update office wiring.
To stay aware of potential issues, it is wise to have a fire risk assessment done. Keep in touch with your local fire department so you can inform employees about exit routes, meeting places, other helpful resources, and schedule inspections of fire safety equipment on a regular basis.
Ensuring your employees’ safety is a top priority to keep your office functioning successfully. Taking the necessary precautions can significantly reduce the chances of injuries caused by negligence.
Slipping and Tripping
Taking a spill is the most common hazard in an office place. In fact, about 85% of workers' compensation claims are due to slip and fall injuries. It sounds like an easy issue to avoid, but accidents present themselves in confined spaces with high foot traffic. Here are a few situations that can leads to a slip or trip accident:
- Kitchen spills
- Ceiling leaks
- Bathroom floods
- Loose carpeting
- Tangled wiring
- Improperly placed equipment
- Open desks/drawers
Having a proactive approach can cut down on accidents and improve the safety of your office. This includes looking before walking and cleaning up spills immediately. If you see loose carpeting, tangled electrical cords or inadequate lighting that affects visibility, report them to a facilities worker to prevent an accident from occurring.
Fires
Office fires occur frequently. They cause over a hundred million dollars in property damage and several deaths each year. The leading causes of office fires are:
- Cooking equipment
- Electrical distribution equipment
- Lighting equipment
- Heating equipment
- Arson
In order to prevent fire risks, try including a kitchen safety segment in your employee orientation and training presentations. You can also display signs throughout the kitchen on proper appliance use. Be sure to keep all cords protected and have any fraying or out-of-date equipment replaced. Have a certified electrician, not an employee, modify and update office wiring.
To stay aware of potential issues, it is wise to have a fire risk assessment done. Keep in touch with your local fire department so you can inform employees about exit routes, meeting places, other helpful resources, and schedule inspections of fire safety equipment on a regular basis.
Ensuring your employees’ safety is a top priority to keep your office functioning successfully. Taking the necessary precautions can significantly reduce the chances of injuries caused by negligence.
