#UgamanHealthWednesday: 7 Safety tips for office workers.

 

With their climate control, soft chairs and armrests, office environments don’t conjure up thoughts of workplace safety like, say, construction sites.

What could be safer than a cubicle? Of course, office workers are at lower risk for workplace injuries than most, but that doesn’t mean injuries never happen, or that it’s not worth taking the time to talk about safety with office employees.

Office jobs that involve spending most of your day sitting can actually be detrimental to your health if employee wellness is not taken into consideration. Many Health Institutes has reported that an increasing number of companies are looking to improve worker safety by focusing on wellness.

 

Here are seven tips for office workers to prevent workplace injuries:

1. Make sure your desk setup is ergonomic, so your head is centered over your neck and shoulders, your wrists are flat and your elbows rest comfortably at your side while you work. If your feet won’t touch the ground unless you lean forward, use a footrest. See this diagram for more information on setting up an ergonomic workstation.

2. Get up and move every now and then to avoid stiffness and pain. Always warm up and stretch to exercises your body frequently.

3. Walk like a penguin in coldness weather when going from your car to the office to prevent a fall. Walk flat footed; take shorter, slower steps; concentrate on maintaining balance; and look ahead to spot problems before its too late. Other tips to prevent falls in parking lots: wear sensible footwear and carry only what you can.

4. Use a headset for prolonged or frequent phone use. Cradling the phone between your shoulder and ear can cause neck and back pain.

5. Keep your workplace tidy, being sure to clean up spills immediately, keep aisles free of clutter, and tie up or secure cords so they don’t pose a trip hazard.

6. Prevent a fire by not running electrical cords under carpet, through windows and doorways or fastening them with unapproved devices, such as staples.

7. Know your office emergency procedures in the event of a fire, storm, violent intruder, medical problem or other emergency. Always ensure that you know all the emergency numbers in case of any safety related issues.