Most offices seem to have an intersection that needs a traffic light to keep people from bumping into each other. I am just kidding!
If there are blind corners, consider installing convex mirrors so people can see each other coming. Be especially careful while carrying hot drinks. Don’t carry stacks of material so high that your vision is obstructed. Carrying this much material not only blocks your vision, but could also strain your back.
Watch out for avalanches if you pile “stuff” on top of filing cabinets. Even a carefully stacked pile may start sliding due to vibration from opening and shutting file drawers. Also keep an eye out for overloaded upper file drawers. This may cause the entire filing cabinet to tip over on top of you when you open the drawer. Re-distribute some of the weight to the lower drawers to reduce this chance, and check to make sure the filing cabinet is bolted to the adjacent cabinet, if it can be done.
- If you see an office hazard that you can safely rectify do so, otherwise report it in our Blue card – don’t just walk past hazards.
- Don’t fool around – horseplay in the office can cause accidents.
- Everyone should be aware of the fire exits and emergency evacuation plans and their local fire wardens and first aiders.
Always pay attention to your work and review your routine tasks to see if you may be at risk. Look at new tasks for hazards and do up a quick JHA (Job Hazard Analysis), if you are unfamiliar ask your safety folks for.
These are just a few tips that can make your office area safer. Look around, and you no doubt will spot other problems that can be easily fixed. When you see a hazard, don’t assume it is someone else’s responsibility. If you don’t do something about it, who will?
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