Office Safety
We like to believe that workers who are employed in offices or in administration work in ‘safe’ workplaces. However, these workers face a number of hazards – some of which have potentially very serious effects on their health and/or safety.
Neck and back injuries from sustained ergonomic mismanagement often are life-long injuries and leave the injured person permanently in pain. When these injuries turn into workers compensation claims, they often become ‘major’ claims and result in increased premiums to the organisation.
Office hazards are too often regarded as desk based or ergonomic! The tasks and expectations placed on administration workers regularly expose them to manual handling, hazardous substances, mental stress, and driving hazards.
Frequently asked questions:
- What is the minimum workspace specified in Model Work Health & Safety regulations and Codes of Practice?
- Is there a checklist for the selection of suitable office furniture and equipment?
- What type and frequency of rest breaks should I have?
- How do I reduce the risk of Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS) and what type of exercises can I do to prevent OOS?
- Can visual display units (VDU’s) affect my eyesight?
- Is the office environment (ie heating, cooling, noise and ventilation) comfortable?
- Do we have emergency preparedness and response plans?
HSEMA aims to deliver practical workplace health and safety solutions, for example:
- Forms and checklists
- Mentoring programs
- Workplace inspection and reporting
- Perform and train ergonomic and workstation assessments
- Work environment assessment (Occupational Hygiene)
- Develop and review health and safety policies, procedures and guidelines
- Provide guidance on the identification and management of office hazards
- Provide Workplace Health & Safety Committee training