Going to work in an air-conditioned office in New York City may not seem like the most dangerous job in the world, but offices have their own unique hazards. Employers who do not know what those hazards are and do not take steps to mitigate them can inadvertently lead to avoidable employee injuries.
With insights from the Society for Human Resources Management, officescan become safer. No longer do employees have to worry about stepping on an HR landmine disguised as a freshly mopped floor.
Ergonomic injuries
The simple act of sitting and typing at a computer all day can lead to injuries over time. Employees can strain their muscles and suffer from repetitive motion injuries. Such hazards are not immediately discernible, often taking weeks or even months before making themselves known. Ergonomic office furniture, proper posture and stretching help keep employees loose and productive
Trips and falls
Besides unmarked wet floors, there are plenty of other slipping and tripping hazards in the modern workplace. Employees can stumble and trip over exposed and unsecured electrical and phone cords, and the same applies to a loose area rug. Office clutter can also present a tripping hazard. During the colder months of the year, employers need to be extra diligent about preventing the tracking in of snow, ice and the like as employees enter the building.
Eyestrain
Dedicated employees who stay nailed to their seats staring at a screen all day could be putting their eyes at risk while tending to their work tasks. Eye strain is common for workers who forget to look away from the computer to give their eyes a rest. Besides taking breaks to look at objects far away to relax their eyes, workers should also reduce sunlight glare on their screens.
Indoor air quality
Employee allergies and respiratory issues could be due to the poor indoor air quality in the office. Cleaning chemicals, dirty HVAC filters, mold, blocked air flow and crowded offices can all compromise interior air quality.