1. Office Safety Texas Mutual Insurance Company

2. Introduction l Common Assumption: –“offices have no hazards” and /or “office workers do not have injuries”

3. Our Goal l FACT: –there are hazards in office environments l Target potential and real hazards l Eliminate hazards

4. Who, What, Where ? l Office environments may be similar –have the hazards in your “offices” been identified?

5. Identify Office Hazards l Slips, Trips and Falls

6. Identify Office Hazards l Slips, Trips and Falls l Hazardous Substances

7. Identify Office Hazards l Slips, Trips and Falls l Hazardous Substances l Electrical Hazards

8. Identify Office Hazards l Slips, Trips and Falls l Hazardous Substances l Electrical Hazards l Lifting Hazards

9. Identify Office Hazards l Slips, Trips and Falls l Hazardous Substances l Electrical Hazards l Lifting Hazards l Repetitive Motion

10. Identify Office Hazards l Slips, Trips and Falls l Hazardous Substances l Electrical Hazards l Lifting Hazards l Repetitive Motion l Emergencies - Unplanned events

11. Housekeeping l Avoid Slip, Trip, Fall Hazards –Walking Surfaces floors aisles stairs –Office Equipment and Furnishings open file/desk drawers electrical cords carpets

12. Hazard Communication l Communicate “Hazards” to Employees –define hazards of the workplace l hazardous (chemical) substances l hazardous conditions

13. Electrical Hazards l Properly installed and grounded equipment l Electrical cords are common hazards –use should be “temporary” - not a substitute for fixed wiring, i.e. not attached to structures or run through walls, windows, etc. –minimize use in high traffic areas –inspect frequently fraying broken or missing grounding prongs

14. Back Safety l Common lifting errors can lead to injury –too much weight and/or volume

15. Back Safety l Common lifting errors can lead to injury –too much weight and/or volume –too far away from the body

16. Back Safety l Common lifting errors can lead to injury –too much weight and/or volume –too far away from the body –too much spinal movement (twisting/bending)

17. Back Safety l Common lifting errors can lead to injury –too much weight and/or volume –too far away from the body –too much spinal movement (twisting/bending) –lack of physical fitness

18. Back Injury Prevention l Use rolling equipment - dollies, carts l Work station design to minimize lifting –“safe lifting zone” l Push or Pull objects, in lieu of lifting l Bulk moving of materials - pallets, other containers l Break down into smaller components

19. Repetitive Motion l Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD’s) –humans have “moving body parts” - muscles, tendons and joints l repetitive motion in awkward or forceful positions l cumulative over months and years

20. Repetitive Motion l Common Tasks that cause problems: –computer keyboard work –telephone work

21. Repetitive Motion l Solution: –“Ergonomics” l fitting the task to the person - in lieu of - l the person fitting the task

22. Repetitive Motion l Work Habits l Training Employees –Shift to Neutral –Break Routine –Stretching

23. Repetitive Motion l Work Stations –adjustable chairs –adjustable desks/tables –lighting

24. Emergency Planning l A written plan that fits your company resources, operations and capabilities. –ensures employee safety in the event of a fire or other emergency

25. Emergency Planning l Chain of Command l Emergency Communication l Escape Procedures and Routes l Critical Plant Operations l Account for Personnel at Designated Areas l Rescue and First Aid Duties l Coordinators/Monitors and Reporting Procedures

26. Summary l Know your “office” operations and job requirements l Evaluate “office” working conditions –observe work habits and workstations –ask for feedback from employees –look at incidents and trends –identify training needs

27. Where to get more information l Your Loss Prevention Consultant from Texas Mutual Insurance Company