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HEALTH CHALLENGES INVOLVED IN OFFICE WORK

In 1911, 146 workers (mostly women and young girls) were killed in a disastrous fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City. Unsafe working conditions and a locked fire exit were contributing factors to their senseless deaths. This and other similar tragedies of the era prompted many improvements to workplace safety regulations. Until recently, however, little mention has been made of the less dangerous aspects of working in an office. So, while working in an office may not pose quite the same hazard to your health as being a firefighter or working with heavy manufacturing equipment, there are still significant health challenges facing today's office workers

Regardless of where you work, there are certain things that can put your health, or even your life, at risk. Fire from faulty electrical work, a fall down the stairs, weather-related disasters or the attack of a terrorist or other mal-content can turn even the safest workplace deadly. But what about the other health issues that are present in your work environment? Some are obvious - loose floor tiles, over-loaded electrical outlets or boxes stacked higher than your head are all signs that your office could be hazardous to your health. But what about the often unthought about or seldom noticed dangers

Have you noticed an increase in the number sick days you or your co-workers are using? The fault might lay with your building's ventilation system. If the air-conditioning equipment (including all vents and duct-work) are not cleaned regularly all of that recirculated air can be rife with bacteria and whatever nasty virus have recently been sneezed out by you and your office companions.

Other things can be floating around in the closed air of your office building, too. Remodeling anywhere in the building may cause dust from sheetrock, chemicals from the newly installed carpets or paint fumes to waft into your heretofore "safe" little cubby. For people with sensitivity to chemicals, inhaling these can lead to severe headaches, nausea and vomiting.

The ventilation system is not the only place in your office where germs and chemicals can be easily "shared". Restrooms and breakrooms are often shared by everyone in the building, with little thought being given to how they are actually cleaned. If there is no litter on the floor, the toilet is flushed and not grungy and there are no obvious spills on the counter or tables, most people assume that the restroom or

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