When it comes to hazardous work conditions, very rarely does the run-of-the-mill office worker spring to mind as a worker in imminent danger. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics logs thousands of work-related injuries and health problems among this population, 92 of which were fatal in 2019 (the last year for which data is available). So, rather than let you lull yourself into a false sense of security that your cubicle workers are immune from injury, we wanted to go ahead and highlight the five biggest sources of injury and illness among this subgroup and provide some simple solutions that you can implement now to improve safety.
Slip and slide
According to the National Safety Council, slips, trips, and falls account for the greatest number of office-based injuries. The NSC notes that the age group most impacted in this category are those 55 and over and that these accidents are most likely to result in sprains, strains, and tears. The most frequently cited causes of such tumbles include unseen spills, wet floors, exposed cords, unstable work surfaces, uneven floors, loose rugs, and general clutter. In addition, inclement weather such as rain, snow, and ice can cause normally safe spaces to become serious hazards, including ramps, walkways, exterior stairs, and entryways.
When it comes to preventing a slip and slide, all you need to do is step up your housekeeping game! Create a system whereby spills are immediately cleaned up and that signage is posted alerting folks to the potential hazard. In addition, you’ll want to plan to put down extra non-slip floor coverings in areas prone to water accumulation during the winter months and have a system (or service) for plowing, shoveling, and salting walkways once bad weather arrives. Year round, meanwhile, you should always be on the lookout for clutter and potential catastrophe! Make sure that walkways are clear of debris that can cause a tripping hazard and be on the lookout for errant phone cords, frayed carpet, and other potential trip hazards.
Strains and Sprains
You might think that sitting down all day makes for a pretty sweet job but sitting down and working at a computer can lead to problems with posture, as well as even repetitive strain injuries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) notes that pain, fatigue, numbness, and weakness are all signs of ergonomic issues that can turn into musculoskeletal disorders if not addressed. Pros recommend that HR take steps to monitor employees for signs of ergonomic strain and take action to rectify it. Modifications could include adjustable chairs, standing desks, ergonomic keyboards, and other small work-environment changes. In addition, OSHA has very helpfully developed a tool for setting up workstations that instruct workers to position their chair, keyboard, and monitor in a straight line; maintain neutral posture; keep elbows at a 90-degree angle when typing, and move the mouse as close as possible to the keyboard to prevent breaks in good posture due to overreaching.
In addition, OSHA recommends that you sit in a chair that offers firm back support and that your feet be able to touch the ground firmly.
Keep an eye out
Now this one might really cause you to roll your eyes because eye strain from staring at the same screen non-stop is a real issue for office workers! The NSC notes that office workers are prone to dry and irritated eyes, as well as trouble focusing after long periods chained to the computer. To remedy the situation, experts recommend that you take steps to cut down on excessive glare on screens by closing blinds and dimming overhead lights as appropriate for the task at hand, as well as positioning monitors just below eye level. In addition, the NSC recommends that you instruct workers to take a 10-minute break for every hour of screen time. This isn’t to say that they get to laze around, but rather that they do a non-screen-based task to give their eyes a break and reduce fatigue.
Get fired up
While a little outdated, a 2013 report by the National Fire Protection Association estimates that during the five-year period of 2007-2011, US fire departments responded to an average of 3,340 fires in office properties per year. These fires were linked to 44 civilian injuries and approximately $112 million in direct property damage. In a more recent report by the same group, the leading causes of fires in stores and offices were cooking (accounting for 31.6 percent of all fires), electrical malfunction (11.4 percent), and heating (9.4 percent). The NSC suggests that routine office inspections could significantly reduce your risk of fire and thus recommends that businesses inspect power cords for signs of wear and tear and replace them accordingly. Make sure that electrical prongs are all functioning appropriately, and use power strips appropriately such that they are not overloaded. If employees are authorized to use space heaters, the NSC recommends that the appliances be approved for commercial use and that they have an automatic shut-off switch that is activated if they tip over. Further, experts recommend that you practice your fire evacuation plans regularly and that you ensure that sprinkler heads are in good working order.
Just breathe
Among the lessons learned from the Coronavirus, we all came to appreciate a well-ventilated office space! Beyond germs, cleaning chemicals, pesticides, dust, and mold can all contribute to poor air quality, as can the physical layout of the office if it significantly impedes airflow. In fact, the NSC notes that poor indoor air quality has contributed to an uptick in occupational asthma and other respiratory disorders, as well as chemical sensitivity and allergies. Luckily, improving air quality isn’t as tough as you would expect. Experts recommend that simply performing required and recommended maintenance of your ventilation, heating, and air conditioning systems can go a long way. Further, investing in a more thorough and regular cleaning crew to prevent the accumulation of dust, pollen, dirt, mold spores, and other build-up on hard and soft surfaces, particularly carpeting, can also prevent the spread of illnesses in the workplace.
The pros note that simply being aware of these dangers is the first step towards addressing and eliminating them. However, by nature, performing regular surveillance and correcting courses based on your findings will be crucial to heading off workplace hazards in your future.
