Office Safety

Although we may not typically consider the office environment hazardous, a surprising number of accidents and injuries occur there. Some of the common types of hazards and concerns include falling objects, slips, trips and falls, fires, cumulative trauma disorders, electrical shock, exposure to hazardous chemicals and back injuries. Good housekeeping, common sense and paying attention to details are often all we need to do to adequately control these hazards.

Additional Office Safety Guidelines

 Cooking Safety

• Use safe practices in all cooking areas
• Never use stovetops or ranges for storage
• Ensure all burners and appliances are turned off when not in use
• Clean up spills promptly to prevent slips and fire hazards

Electrical Cabinets & Panels

Maintain a minimum 3-foot clearance in front of electrical cabinets and circuit-breaker panels. This clearance is required by fire code to ensure quick emergency access and adequate working room for technicians. Avoid placing furniture or office equipment within this Zone

Space Heater Safety

Space heaters can cause burns and fires and are often more powerful than needed. Consider using a heated floor mat as a safer, lower current alternative.

Chemical Safety in Office Areas

• Some chemicals contain hazardous ingredients.
• If hazardous materials are present, you must keep the Material Safety Data Sheet(MSDS) accessible
• Ensure all chemical container labels remain legible and intact
• Do no dispose of paints, adhesive, toners, or similar chemicals in regular trash or down drains
• Contact EH&S for proper disposal procedures

Do not bring chemical products from home into the office

Evacuation Awareness

• Locate the evacuation map for your building
• Identify both the primary and secondary exit routes
• Know your designated staging(muster) area once you exit the building during a fire or emergency