Many people believe that workplace accidents and injury only occur to those who work in traditionally dangerous occupations, such as construction work or forestry. However, even if you work in a traditional office environment there are daily hazards.
It is important to be aware of office injury statistics. In fact, according to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, office workers are more likely to end up with a debilitating injury as a result of a fall as compared to non-office workers.
What are common office hazards?
As previously stated, falls are very common in office environments. There are many tripping hazards in your average office. Some of these hazards include extension cords strung across hallways, tripping over open file drawers, or encountering loose carpeting in certain areas of the building. Wet floors may also cause slips and falls.
It is also relatively common for office workers to suffer injury as a result of using a chair to try and reach a high-up file or other object.
How can I prevent injury?
Paying attention to your surroundings is paramount. Do not get distracted by a co-worker or technology while walking around your office. Additionally, if you need to reach up high to retrieve any object, make sure that you take the time to go get a step ladder rather than trying to climb up on a chair.
If you encounter loose carpeting, or extension cords crossing across hallways, make sure that you inform your employer as soon as possible. Your employer should take immediate action to rectify the hazard to prevent injury. Additionally, do your part and ensure that you close all file drawers when finished with them and keep your workplace tidy.