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Office Safety

Office Safety. For Laboratory, Facility, and Office Employees Tulane University January, 2005. Objectives. To recognize office safety hazards. To learn corrective actions for creating safe office environments. To identify unit inspection requirements.

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Office Safety

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  1. Office Safety For Laboratory, Facility, and Office Employees Tulane University January, 2005 Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  2. Objectives • To recognize office safety hazards. • To learn corrective actions for creating safe office environments. • To identify unit inspection requirements. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  3. Office employees are part of the health and safety process. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  4. 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 Potential Office Safety Hazards include: Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

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

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

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

  8. FURNITURE • 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. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

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

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

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

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

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

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

  15. OFFICEEQUIPMENT • 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 Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  16. OFFICEEQUIPMENT • Paper shredders • Keep hands and fingers clear of paper inlet of paper shredder. • UNPLUG shredder before trying to clear a paper jam. Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

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

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

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

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

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

  22. 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 University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

  23. Tulane UniversityOffice of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)www.som.tulane.edu/oehs Karen Douglas (Uptown), Environmental Health & Safety Specialist(504) 865-5307 / kdougla1@tulane.eduSusan Welch (Downtown), Occupational Safety Manager(504) 988-3996 / swelch@tulane.eduIf unable to proceed to quiz, type the link below into your browserhttp://aurora.tcs.tulane.edu/ehs/enterssn.cfm?testnum=7 Proceed to Quiz

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