Work at preventing administrative mishaps Published June 19, 2009 By Steve Serrette 72nd Air Base Wing Safety Office TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- It is generally accepted that in industrial work areas, you'll find dangerous work environments that expose employees to potential injury. But few people recognize the potential risks found in everyday office environments also known as administrative areas. Office work, too, can lead to injuries if appropriate safe work practices are not followed because accidental injuries are just as painful, severe, and expensive to office workers as to Industrial workers. A safety program cannot be fully effective if there is only partial participation. A safety program that is not vigorously pursued in administrative offices probably will not be vigorously pursued in the Industrial shops. If office workers are exempt, the production workers often feel that following rules to avoid hazards is an unnecessary burden, and, perhaps, an unfair exercise of authority by management. One reason that office safety programs are not put on the "front burner" is that far too many people believe office injuries are inconsequential -- a gross and dangerous assumption. Learn to avoid these common office hazards that very often lead to injuries: · Complacency Complacency is a prime cause of injury. It is the attitude that office accidents do not amount to much, because the average office worker does not perceive that office work is hazardous. The worker must be willing to adopt safe procedures, and be encouraged to do so. Even more important, office supervisors (the key person in the office safety program) must understand the nature of office hazards and unsafe practices and take necessary measures to reduce and manage these hazards. · Safe handling Musculoskeletal strains and sprains associated with material handling: If you must walk and carry an object, make sure the object is carried in a way that avoids blocking your vision. Never lift objects that are too heavy to handle comfortably. Get help, or use a hand truck when moving heavy or large objects. Lift objects from the floor correctly by using proper lifting mechanics -- hold the load close to your body. Use a stool or step ladder when placing or removing items from high shelves. · Computer use Stress and strain associated with sitting and VDT use: Arrange your desk or work station so that your arms, wrists, legs, back and neck can be maintained in a comfortable "neutral" position, with proper back support. Those who spend long hours at a computer should consider mastering keyboard moves, instead of relying principally on the mouse. This helps reduce strain on your elbow and shoulder. And don't forget to take rest breaks. · Cube caution Injuries that result from slips, trips, and falls (the most common office accident): Never run in the office. If liquids are spilled on tile or linoleum floors, clean them up immediately. If a rolling chair pad is cracked or if any part of the pad edge is curled upward, replace it and eliminate the tripping hazard. Do not lay electrical cords, computer cords or phone cords where they could create a tripping hazard. Keep aisles clear of stored items. Do not "daisy-chain" power strips and keep heat-producing appliances such as refrigerators, microwaves and coffeepots out of cubicles and located in a centralized supervisor-designated break area. Cubicles are not designed to support such loads. ·All hands Hand injuries from cuts, scrapes, smashes, and punctures: Use a letter opener when opening envelopes and boxes, and a staple puller when removing staples from documents. Wear a rubber finger "cot" when fingering through a significant amount of envelopes or pieces of paper. Store sharp objects neatly in desk drawers or inside closed containers. Always close desk and file cabinet drawers with your hand firmly gripped on the drawer handle -- and leave repair of office equipment to the maintenance people. Although offices are not considered to be "high hazard" work environments, injuries happen when risks are not controlled or when people get careless. Practice safe work habits at all times. If you are injured in any form or fashion on the job, immediately report the injury to your supervisor so that you can be sent to the Occupational Medicine Clinic for evaluation and reporting as required by Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies. Lastly, all employees must understand the emergency procedures for dealing with fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, and power failures.