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Expert Answers to Biz Questions
Listen in! Pick up some expert advice to a reader's question that we selected from CyberSchmooz.
Promoting Safety in the Office
When you hear about promoting safety in the workplace, the first image that often comes to mind is a job site and a hard hat. However, while you may not realize it, your office has many potential hazards. Listed below are a few ways to promote a safer office environment.
Clutter
Get organized and eliminate the clutter. You have a tight space, as many small businesses do. So you accumulate boxes of files that you, in turn, remove from the office and send to your home’s basement. However, while they sit there, they take up floor space, making it difficult for employees to move around. As a result, an employee can sustain an injury. Solution: once a box is full, remove it that day.
Stop the Spread of Sickness
Small offices have the potential to become a breeding ground for sickness. If one person has a cold it’s more likely that it will work its way through the entire office. Instituting a policy that requires everyone to clean their workspace with anti-bacterial wipes will help to prevent your entire office from coming down sick. Following that up with a professional cleaning service once or twice a week will help you double down on your efforts. You can go online to find a reputable company and acquire cleaning quotes. Another rule you should enforce is that, if you’re sick, stay at home.
Slips and Falls
Slips and falls are the most common injuries sustained in the office. This is partly due to the tracking of the elements such as rain and snow into the building. Other culprits include loose, unsecured area rugs placed in hallways and entrances and bare slippery floors. When it’s raining or snowing outdoors, keep a mop handy at the entrance to keep the area dry. With regard to the area rugs, make sure to add backing and secure them with professional carpet tape.
Provide Clear Paths
Small offices often have limited space. As a result, owners often have to make the best use of their square footage. In a small office, there’s limited space for keeping necessary equipment such as a printer, water coolers, filing cabinets, and shredders. If someone opens a cabinet or is at the water cooler, they may unintentionally block an otherwise clear path and cause someone coming around the corner to become injured. Rearranging the office so that things (such as a filing cabinet) are never an obstacle to go around, is important.
Understanding Weight Limits
Shelves are something every office uses to place reference books and frequently needed supplies. While it’s convenient to have these items easily accessible, there are weight limits to shelves. If the shelves become overloaded and are not properly secured, they can come down. Make sure to check the weight capacity of any shelves added and advise your employees not to add additional weight.
Office Furniture
Your employees spend many hours sitting at their desk on their computers. Having an ergonomic keyboard that places the fingers and hands in the proper position will help to reduce the risk of carpal tunnel. A high-quality ergonomic chair that adjusts will also allow your employees to work efficiently and reduce the possibility of acquiring a neck or back injury.
Anyone who works in an office should take at least two 15 minute breaks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. This will allow them to stretch their legs and keep the blood circulating. It will also help to clear their head and restore energy.
Many offices have hidden hazards. You have enough on your plate with making decisions such as which new marketing ideas to use and whether to start outsourcing some of the many hats you wear. If you eliminate clutter, maintain a healthy indoor environment and secure any loose items, you’ll reduce the chances of someone sustaining an injury.
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