Avoiding Common Office Injuries

It is generally accepted that in heavy industry, you'll find dangerous work environments that expose employees to potential injury. But fewer companies recognize the potential risks found in everyday office environments. Office work, too, can lead to injuries if appropriate safe work practices are not followed. Learn to avoid these common hazards:

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.

Stress and strain

Associated with sitting and VDU 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!

Injuries that result from slips, trips, and falls:

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 or phone cords where they could create a tripping hazard. Keep aisles clear of stored items.

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 when fingering through a significant number 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.

The Office

Portable electrical equipment can be subject to extremes of use or even abuse, to make sure they are safe they must be tested and inspected by a trained engineer on a regular basis, also check your electrics, gas appliances and fire protection equipment

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. Know where the office first aid kit is kept, and who has been trained to administer first aid. Lastly, make sure you understand the emergency procedures for dealing with fires and power failures.

Avoiding Back Injury

The key to avoiding back injury at work is to always plan the lift.  Know how to handle a situation before it happens, that way when something does come up you will be able to make the best possible decision based on the new circumstances.

What is the first plan of action that you must use when you see a load that could pose a risk of injury?

The safest way to handle the situation is to use whatever form of mechanical means that you have available to you.  This means using excavators, loaders, forklifts, dollies, trolleys, pry-bars, etc. Always use machinery or equipment as your first defense against back injury at work.

What is the second plan of action that you must use when you see a load that could pose a risk of injury?

Ask a fellow crew-member to help you lift the load.  As a rule of thumb, a worker can safely lift 24Kg. without serious concern of back injury.  Therefore, if a piece of equipment weighs 60kg, 3 workers should be available to lift the weight. All crew-members should also be watching out for one another and should offer to help if they see someone else trying to lift something that is too heavy.

What is the third plan of action that you must use when you see a load that could pose a risk of injury?

Discuss the situation with your supervisor.  Never hesitate to talk to your supervisor if you feel that lifting a load could be dangerous.  Any reasonable supervisor will listen to your concerns and find a safer way of handling the situation. Everyone should go home safely at the end of the day, so always remember to use caution and follow the above three steps before lifting anything that could pose a risk of injury. 

When Manual lifting is unavoidable, then good lifting technique should be adopted:

1.      Make the Lift

·         Rule of Thumb: Look up as you lift!

·         Face the load, stand with feet shoulder width apart with one leg ahead of the other.

·         Ensure you have a good firm grip before lifting.

·         Lift with your leg’s, and not your back and keep your back as straight as possible.

·         Lift smoothly without jerking.

2.      Move the Lift

·         Avoid reaching out.  Handle heavy objects close to the body.  Avoid a long reach out to pick up an object.

·         Avoid unnecessary bending.  Do not place objects on the floor if they must be picked up again later.

·         Avoid unnecessary twisting.  Turn your feet, not your hips or shoulders.  Leave enough room to shift your feet so as not to twist.

·         Do not be tempted at the last moment to swing the load onto the deck or shelf by bending or twisting your back; it could end up being your last heavy load.

3.      Lower the Lift

·         The same technique used for lifting the load should be used for lowering the load.

·         Watch your fingers for pinch points when lowering the load.

Remember… NO ONE IS GOING TO THANK YOU IF YOU INJURE YOURSELF!