It’s expected that a workplace filled with heavy machinery, high powered tools, equipment, and manual labor has it’s fair share of safety and health hazards. However, even in an office setting where the majority of the workforce is comfortably sitting in a chair, there are a surprising number of hazards present in the average office.
Falls
The most common cause of injury amongst workers is falling, and on top of that, office workers are 2 to 2.5 times more likely to suffer an injury from a fall when compared to non-office workers. The most common cause of falls in the office are:
- Slipping on a wet floor
- Inadequate lighting or poor visibility
- Using a chair or other object in place of a ladder
- Tripping over obstacles such as loose carpeting, cords, wires, or an open drawer
- Reaching for something while in a chair
Improper Lifting
Lifting may not be a part of your daily routine in the office, but it’s important to still be mindful of your lifting form to help minimize the chance of or prevent injury. Here are some tips to help prevent injury:
- When picking something up or setting something down, use your legs (not your back)
- Keep your back in a straight position while carrying anything
- Hold the items you’re carrying close to your body and avoid twisting motions
Ergonomics
When your day involves sitting in a chair for long durations, keeping your ergonomics in check is a big part of staying healthy. Improper ergonomics can lead to issues with your neck, shoulders, back, posture, eyes, or wrists. Some tips for avoiding injuries include:
- Adjust your chair so that your backrest supports your loyal back, your feet are flat, and your thighs are horizontal with the floor
- Adjust your desk and keyboard so that your elbows are at a 90-degree angle and your wrists are straight while typing
- Keep your monitor at eye level
- Prevent glares on your monitor using blinds or blocks as necessary
- Look away from your computer for 30 seconds every 10 minutes, and get up to stretch every 30 minutes
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