OFFICE HAZARDS February 9, 2012

Electrical Shock or Fire …Construction site, lab, or refinery, right? How about an office? When we think about job hazards, we usually picture working out in the field climbing scaffolding or entering hazardous process units. But a surprising number of hazards exist in the office that are similar to those in the field, including: Falling Objects Electrical Shock or Fire Slips, Trips, Falls Hazardous Chemicals Fires Back Injuries

Office work affects our safety rating as much as field work. Neither OSHA nor the client differentiate between the two.

Identifying Hazards Because we are used to identifying hazards in the field, it should be easy to identify hazards in the office. Here are some to look for: Slippery or uneven surfaces Overloaded electrical outlets Poorly balanced stacks of cartons Cords with frayed insulation Open file or desk drawers Open containers of combustible trash Top-heavy file cabinets Open containers of chemicals Cords, boxes in aisles Stairs with poor lighting or missing handrails Blocked emergency exits Ergonomic hazards

Some recent Office SMART Cards… Long Beach: Pay attention to the construction (painting) activities going on around the building as you enter or exit. Merck - Durham: Observed a spilled drink in the cafeteria creating a slipping hazard. I remained at the site to caution passers-by until the cafeteria staff came to clean the spill. Boulder, Co.: Due to the piping leak caused before Christmas, contractors needed to repaint the walls that had been affected by the water. This meant that paint fumes were present in the room. Taking frequent breaks by walking outside the office, keep the doors propped open, and ensuring ventilation prevented the fumes from building up. Long Beach: This morning there was a man lift near entrance of office. Stayed clear of it when I entered back door but it was parked pretty close. A lot going on here.

Some recent Office SMART Cards… Houston Office: Elevator carpet is tripping hazard. Long Beach: Nomex rack was too close to electrical panel. Could have been a fire hazard. Moved to a safer location. Long Beach: Observed heavy boxes being moved by kicking the box around the office. Advised employee to use dolly to move heavy boxes. Westlake Village: Found discarded banana peel in front of entry door to facility. Picked up Banana peel and placed in trash. Note: Banana peels & grapes are 2 common slip hazards in super markets. Long Beach: Always wear shoes around the office

Protection Against Hazards The best protection against office hazards is good housekeeping. Keeping things in their place eliminates many hazards.

Protection Against Hazards Electrical: Electrical safety procedures also help protect against office hazards. Minimize use of extension cords, don’t overload outlets, make sure plugs match their outlets, and replace cords when their insulation gets frayed. Chemicals: Be aware that substances can be hazardous, and also what circumstances make them hazardous. That information is available on container labels and material safety data sheets, along with information on how to use and store these substances safely. A few hazardous chemicals located in the office include: Copier Toner Kitchen cleaners (bleach, ammonia, goof-off, fertilizer, etc.) “Dust Free” Mercury (found in fluorescent light bulbs)

Protection Against Hazards Equipment: Remember that "tools" used in an office can cause injuries. Use caution with box cutters, razor blades, scissors, and other pointed objects. Emergencies: The office, like the field, has to be prepared for emergencies. That means knowing who to contact and what to do in an emergency, the locations of emergency exits, and the evacuation routes to follow.

Falls The most common type of injury is also one of the most preventable. In many cases falls are the result of an unsafe act, such as standing on a rolling chair to reach a high shelf. Here are some simple tips offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Health and Safety, for preventing falls: Close drawers completely after every use. Always use a stepladder for overhead reaching. Never use chairs as ladders, especially rolling swivel chairs. Clean up spills immediately. Report loose carpeting or damaged flooring. Never carry anything that obscures your vision.

Overexertion (Strain) The majority of back injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders are the result of lifting, often done improperly. Practicing good lifting technique significantly lowers the stress placed on the back and reduces the potential for injury. Ask for help from a co-worker or use a lifting aid, such as a cart or hand truck Avoid awkward positions, reaching, and twisting while lifting. Squat first, and then stand to lift objects. Remember the same good lifting techniques used for picking up an object should also be practiced when putting an object down.

Office Maintenance, Repairs, and Upgrades You can count on encountering some sort of maintenance or building repair activities on a routine basis. Some offices experience intermittent upgrades which will bring in tradesmen to remove or add walls, paint, run communication lines, etc. Keep your distance from: Workers using ladders Staging areas for their materials Overhead work: if necessary, find a temporary place to work if there is overhead work going on such as changing light bulbs or ballast repair Painting or work with any type of chemicals Report unsafe conditions to your supervisor immediately

Summary An office can indeed be hazardous, especially if you don't recognize risky conditions and actions. Good housekeeping, attention to electrical equipment and office chemicals, and taking care with how you move yourself and materials in an office will help avoid many of those risks and prevent accidents. As with all workplaces, protecting employees by eliminating or controlling hazards through engineering or work practice controls should be everyone's goal.