Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS) Office Safety For Laboratory, Facility, and Office Employees Tulane University January,

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Office Safety

For Laboratory, Facility, and Office Employees

Tulane University

January, 2005


Objectives

1. To recognize office safety hazards.

2. To learn corrective actions for creating safe office environments.

3. To identify unit inspection requirements.


Office employees are part of the health and safety process.


Potential Office Safety Hazards include:

• Ergonomic issues• Fire & evacuation• Electrical cords &

equipment• Heat-generating

sources (coffee pots)• Hand tools

• Office machines (copiers, paper cutters, shredders, jammed machines);

• Slips, trips, falls• Housekeeping• Furniture/layout


WORKSTATIONS

• Position equipment securely (away from furniture edges)

• Place frequently used items within safe reach

• Don’t restrict leg room with equipment storage

• Keep all chair legs on the floor (don’t tilt!)


LIGHTING

• Areas that have too much or too little light can cause headache, strain, and fatigue.

• Use adjustable task lighting for tasks that require greater illumination.

• Take visual “breaks” every 30 minutes (look at objects at least 20 ft away).

• Get regular eye exams…let your eye doctor know if you are working at a computer!


FILING CABINETS

• Keep drawers closed when not in use

• Don’t open all the drawers at the same time

• Use handles to open and close drawers slowly and carefully

• Don’t let a cabinet get top heavy– Fill from bottom up

– Put heavy items in lower drawers

– Put lightweight items in top drawers


• Chairs should remain squarely on the floor.• Casters on all chairs should be secured and all

parts of the chair should be sturdy • Furniture should be selected and maintained free

of sharp edges, points, or burrs.

FURNITURE


STACKING AND STORAGE

• Store heavy articles on lower shelves• Keep aisles and exit corridors clear• Don’t obstruct fire extinguishers, fire alarm

pull stations, or electrical panels • Limit storage of combustible materials• Maintain 18 in. overhead clearance from sprinkler heads


POTENTIAL TRIP HAZARDS

• Loose debris or spills on the floor

• Electrical wire or cables in walkway

• Torn or loose carpeting

• Missing floor tiles

• Broken stair tread edges

• Uneven walking surfaces


SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS

• Pick up debris and loose objects (waste paper, pencils, paper clips, etc.)

• Wipe up spills immediately• Report floor defects to Facilities Services• Wear “sensible” shoes (sturdy heels and non-

slip soles)• Use a ladder or step stool when necessary• Walk, don’t run!


STAIRS

• Avoid distractions• Take one step at a time• Don’t load your arms so full of materials that

you can’t see• Keep one hand on the handrail• Don’t congregate on stairs or landings• Watch where you’re going


OFFICE EQUIPMENT

• Keep loose clothing, jewelry, and long flowing hair away from machines.

• Paper Cutters– Use guard to avoid contact with the cutting

blade by the opposing hand (hand holding the paper).

– When the cutter is not in use, the blade should be in the down position and secured.


OFFICE EQUIPMENT

• Sharp tools (i.e. letter openers, Exacto knives, scissors, etc.) – Store properly to prevent tools from rolling and

falling off of desk surfaces.– Use sheaths for knives and razors


• Copiers– Know the procedures for safely

clearing jams – Turn power OFF before trying to

clear a jam or changing toner. – Remain aware of areas which may

be hot. – Remember that the power is still

connected

OFFICE EQUIPMENT


OFFICE EQUIPMENT

• Paper shredders– Keep hands and fingers clear of paper inlet of

paper shredder.– UNPLUG shredder before trying to clear a

paper jam.


COFFEE POTS• Heat source/potential fire hazard

• History of incidents when coffee pots left ON

• Turn OFF when not in use

• Make sure they are OFF before you leave the office

• Consider using an automatic timer


OFFICE MACHINES• If you:

– notice a tingling sensation when touching a machine, or

– see smoke or sparks, or

– know that a piece of equipment is in need of repair,

• Unplug it immediately and report it!• Put a sign on the machine indicating to others that

it is out of order


OFFICE INSPECTION REPORTS

• See Form 15F-OEHS in Appendix E of OEHS Policies & Procedures Manual

(http://www.som.tulane.edu/oehs/)

• Unit Supervisors/PIs perform inspections quarterly

• DSR gathers and submits forms to OEHS


Review• Potential hazards may exist in office settings,

including:– Ergonomic issues– Fire & emergency evacuation– Electrical equipment– Heat generating sources– Hand tools– Office machines– Slips, trips & falls– Housekeeping – Furniture and equipment layout


Review

• Be aware of potential office hazards when setting up a workplace to eliminate the introduction of hazards.

• If hazards are noted, take corrective actions or notify an appropriate party that can take corrective actions.


Review

• Know how to safely operate office equipment.

• Areas are to be inspected quarterly by Unit Supervisors/PIs.

• DSR gathers and submits inspection forms to OEHS.

Tulane UniversityOffice of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

www.som.tulane.edu/oehs Karen Douglas (Uptown), Environmental Health & Safety Specialist

(504) 865-5307 / [email protected] Welch (Downtown), Occupational Safety Manager

(504) 988-3996 / [email protected]

If unable to proceed to quiz, type the link below into your browserhttp://aurora.tcs.tulane.edu/ehs/enterssn.cfm?testnum=7

Proceed to Quiz

http://www.som.tulane.edu/oehs

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://aurora.tcs.tulane.edu/ehs/enterssn.cfm?testnum=7

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS) Office Safety For Laboratory, Facility, and Office Employees Tulane University January,

Documents

tulane university office

safety process

safe office environments

furniture slide

use dont

floor dont tilt

lower drawers

equipment storage