{"id":4518,"date":"2019-02-06T09:31:21","date_gmt":"2019-02-06T09:31:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/?p=4518"},"modified":"2024-05-15T12:49:34","modified_gmt":"2024-05-15T11:49:34","slug":"office-hazard-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/office-hazard-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Office Hazard Checklist for Health & Safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

All office workplaces have the potential to present risks to your health and safety, even if you don\u2019t immediately realise it. Take a look around your office now \u2013 what can you see that may cause an accident? Do you know what the hazards are and what you can do to prevent them? Use the following checklists to conduct a general workplace inspection and assess whether you need to make any changes:<\/p>\n

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Slips and Trips<\/h2>\n

\"Cleaner<\/p>\n

Slips and trips are the most common cause of injuries to workers and are one of the most preventable types of accidents. They are usually as a result of human factors, meaning that they are caused by people, usually due to poor housekeeping or poor risk perception. Here are the most common hazards to look out for and their solutions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Hazard<\/th>\nSolution<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Mud, leaves or water on the floor.<\/td>\nUse \u2018wet floor\u2019 signs in bad weather to warn people of the hazard.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Floors left wet from cleaning.<\/td>\nArrange for cleaning to be done outside of working hours and use \u2018wet floor\u2019 signs.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Loose door mats, rugs and carpets.<\/td>\nMake sure mats and rugs are secured to the floor or built-in to the flooring.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Spillages.<\/td>\nEnsure everyone cleans up spills, like tea, coffee or cleaning chemicals straight away.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trailing electrical cables.<\/td>\nKeep cables out of walkways and use cable ties to hold them together.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Uneven walkways, steps and ramps.<\/td>\nHighlight the edges of uneven surfaces with yellow tape to warn people of the hazards.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Poor lighting.<\/td>\nInstall good lighting in all areas.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Poor housekeeping and objects in walkways.<\/td>\nKeep corridors and walkways free from obstructions and ensure people tidy up after themselves.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

You can learn more with our Slips, Trips and Falls online training course<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Fire Safety<\/h2>\n

Workplace fires can be catastrophic for any business and can be near-impossible to fully recover from. In an office you must follow the correct fire safety procedures so that risks are minimised and you know how to safely escape should a fire ever break out. Here are the most common hazards to look out for and their solutions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Hazard<\/th>\nSolution<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Overheated electrical equipment.<\/td>\nAlways switch equipment off when not in use and remove it from use immediately if it gets too hot or begins to smell of burning.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Matches, gas hobs and lighters.<\/td>\nOnly use open flames well away from flammable materials.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Smoking.<\/td>\nTake care when smoking and discarding smoking materials to ensure that they don\u2019t set light to flammable materials.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sources of fuel, including stacks of paper, cardboard, packaging, textiles and hazardous substances.<\/td>\nThese act as sources of fuel for a fire so ensure excess materials are discarded safely and away from sources of ignition.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Obstructed escape routes and fire doors.<\/td>\nGood housekeeping ensures clear corridors and walkways meaning people can escape more efficiently in case of fire.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Faulty fire-fighting equipment.<\/td>\nCheck regularly to ensure that fire extinguishers<\/a> and blankets etc. are present and in-date. Also check that emergency lighting is working.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Irregular fire drills.<\/td>\nPractice fire drills should be performed at least annually and all employees must be familiar with the sound of the alarm, how to operate it and how to react if the alarm sounds.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

You can learn more with our\u00a0Fire Safety online training course<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Electrical Safety<\/h2>\n

\"Office<\/p>\n

Electricity is a useful and necessary part of working in an office, but it can also cause major injuries or even result in death. Whilst you may not be working directly with electricity in an office, it\u2019s likely that the majority of your equipment is powered by it, making it essential to be aware of the risks electricity can cause. Here are the most common hazards to look out for and their solutions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Hazard<\/th>\nSolution<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Damaged cables.<\/td>\nCheck wires regularly for damage or fraying and take the equipment out of use straight away if you see anything wrong.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Loose or badly wired plugs.<\/td>\nReport any defects to a manager so that the plug can be fixed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Overloaded sockets and extension cables.<\/td>\nNever plug one extension cable into another as you may overload the electricity supply.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Overheated equipment.<\/td>\nEquipment that gets too hot or starts to smell of burning must be switched off and removed from use.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Electrical equipment near water.<\/td>\nAvoid switching on equipment near to the sink as water will conduct electricity.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Equipment being used incorrectly.<\/td>\nAlways use equipment for the job it was intended.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Equipment with an out of date PAT label.<\/td>\nThis means the equipment hasn\u2019t been recently checked for safety. Report it to your manager so that checks can be performed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

You can learn more with our\u00a0Electrical Safety online training course<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Falls from Height<\/h2>\n

Falls from height can happen anywhere and from any height. The trip hazard height necessary to cause an injury doesn’t need to be as high as the top of a ladder: it could even happen from head height. In an office you may be required to put up a display, access a high-up cupboard or change a light bulb: all activities that, without good working at height practices (e.g. the correct use of a ladder or stepladder) can lead to major fall injuries. Here are the most common hazards to look out for and their solutions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Hazard<\/th>\nSolution<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Over-reaching from a ladder.<\/td>\nEnsure the ladder faces the direction of work.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A ladder toppling over.<\/td>\nAlways place the ladder on a firm, level surface and non-slippery floor.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Standing on chairs\/tables etc.<\/td>\nAlways use appropriate access equipment as furniture is unsuitable and unstable.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dropping items onto people.<\/td>\nNever carry more items up a ladder than you can safely manage. You should always have one hand free at all times to grip the ladder.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A stepladder collapsing.<\/td>\nEnsure the stepladder is fully open and the locking devices are engaged before using.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

You can learn more with our Working at Height\u00a0online training course<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Manual Handling<\/h2>\n

\"Office<\/p>\n

Manual handling is any action involving physical effort to move or support an object or person by lifting, pushing, pulling, manoeuvring, steadying, carrying or transporting. Physical injuries are common if you don’t carry out these actions correctly and pay attention to your manual handling weight limits<\/a>. Here are the most common hazards to look out for and their solutions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Hazard<\/th>\nSolution<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Moving office furniture.<\/td>\nAsk for help with lifting things or get a removal company to move large objects. Don\u2019t try to move anything outside of your ability as it may cause injury.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Carrying heavy books and files.<\/td>\nBreak the load down into smaller, lighter loads and take more journeys to avoid straining your arms and back.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lifting heavy\/bulky objects onto shelving.<\/td>\nAim to store heavier items at waist height to avoid the need for reaching up or bending down.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lowering heavy\/bulky objects from high-up storage.<\/td>\nStore heavy items lower down at waist height or use a suitable, sturdy ladder to access things higher up.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Regularly carrying a laptop computer.<\/td>\nEnsure you have a suitable carry case to avoid putting strain on your back, neck or arms.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pushing a trolley.<\/td>\nDon\u2019t overload the trolley so that it\u2019s too heavy. Push rather than pull where possible, too.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

You can learn more with our Manual Handling online training course<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Display Screen Equipment\u00a0(DSE)<\/h2>\n

Display screen equipment (or DSE) includes equipment such as desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smart phones, television screens and video monitors. In an office it\u2019s likely that you use DSE for the majority, or entirety, of your working day. However, spending too long using DSE can pose many risks to your health. Here are the most common hazards to look out for and their solutions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Hazard<\/th>\nSolution<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Repetitive movements.<\/td>\nAvoid repeating the same actions too many times by placing your keyboard, mouse and monitors in a comfortable position. You should be able to use them without stretching or leaning.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Uncomfortable working postures.<\/td>\nMake sure that your chair is stable and at the right height so your feet are flat on the floor and eyes level with the top of your screen. Leaning, reaching or stretching for long periods can cause aches and pains. You should also ensure your DSE is properly set up if you use a standing desk<\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Incorrect screen settings and set-up.<\/td>\nKeep the screen clean, legible and tilted so you can see it without glare from lighting. Ensure the colours, contrast and font size are comfortable for you to read.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Long periods of work without breaks.<\/td>\nAlways take regular breaks to stretch, change posture and rest your eyes.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A poor working environment.<\/td>\nThere needs to be enough space on, under and around your desk for comfortable and regular movement.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

You can learn more with our\u00a0Display Screen Equipment (DSE) online training course<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Stress and Mental Health<\/h2>\n

\"Woman<\/p>\n

Stress can be a significant cause of illness and has the ability to trigger mental, physical, behavioural and emotional problems that affect how you feel, think and act. Stress and other mental health problems often develop when the demands of work are too high or too low. Here are the most common hazards to look out for and their solutions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Hazard<\/th>\nSolution<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
An unclear job role.<\/td>\nTalking to your manager and finding out exactly what you should – and shouldn\u2019t – be doing will help you to focus and prioritise.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Too many or too few work demands and responsibilities.<\/td>\nDelegate responsibilities, ask for deadlines or ask for more tasks to do if you feel like you\u2019re getting bored or frustrated.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Work beyond your capability.<\/td>\nAsk your manager for clarification of what is expected and explain that you need help with the task at hand.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boring, uninspiring work tasks.<\/td>\nTake regular breaks to rest your mind and try to break tasks up into smaller chunks so you\u2019re not doing the same thing for a prolonged period of time.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Difficult work relationships.<\/td>\nChange your seating arrangements or ask your manager to mediate so that problems can be resolved.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A poor working environment.<\/td>\nEnsure lighting, heating and ventilation are suitable, add plants to your desk and ensure you have enough space to work comfortably.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Long working hours.<\/td>\nDiscuss flexible working or altering your start\/finish times to ensure working overtime doesn\u2019t become the norm.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

You can learn more with our Mental Health Awareness online training course<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Further Resources:<\/h3>\n