Generally, every employer is encouraged to provide a safe and hazardous-free working environment to all employees. A safe working environment helps protect workers from injuries, illnesses, or exposure to hazardous products. Even if your office looks safe and secure, this can’t rule out the probability of common accidents happening. As an employer who is concerned about the safety of the employees, you should be aware of the following common office hazards.
Ergonomic Injuries
For a long time, ergonomic injuries were given little or no attention. However, with the growing health concerns, it has emerged to be one of the most common hazards at the workplace. Ergonomic injuries come as a result of repetitive strain, abnormal vibrations, temperatures, or prolonged obstinate body posture. For you to prevent such injuries, it’s advisable you go for adjustable office chairs and desks. These chairs enable you to sit in an upright posture and have a relaxed neutral sitting position that’s less injurious to your body.
Slips and Falls
If there is one common hazard that’s hard to go by is workplace slips or falls. Anything from a wet floor, cluttered places, uneven floors, or loose wires can easily cause slips and falls. If your office requires some repairs, such as gutter cleaning or sealing leaks, you need to consult professional roofers. Otherwise, if you take the matter by your hands, you risk falling from the top, especially if the roofs are slippery or wet.
Eye Strain
With the increased technological inventions and development, many companies are shifting their operations into the digital space for efficiency. While it is a good thing, there are some demerits of this shift. More jobs are computer-based. People find themselves sitting behind the screens for long, causing eye strain and ultimately loss of concentration. Since eye strain is a serious health condition, employees are advised to take regular breaks off-screen to remain safe.
Fire Hazards
Fire hazards are rare. But when they occur, the results can be fatal and disheartening. The feeling of watching your assets go into flames is traumatizing. As such, employers and employees are advised to take stringent precautions that include availing fire extinguishers, preventing power overload, monitoring heaters, and replacing fraying power cords.
Office places are supposed to be safe for both workers and employers. Unfortunately, there are some situations where accidents happen, causing injuries and damages. If you are cautious about your safety at the workplace, then you need to put up preventive measures to help you avoid some of the above-mentioned office hazards.