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 sheet-rock, 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 break-rooms 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 kitchen have been properly cleaned and are safe to use. Looking clean is not, however, the same thing as being sanitary. Did the cleaning person actually clean the underside of the toilet seat? Did the last person to open the door to the microwave actually wash their hands after using the toilet? And is that dish in the back of the refrigerator supposed to be growing a fuzzy green top? A small bottle of sanitizer for your purse or pocket and properly sealed dishes for things you want to keep cold in the communal cooler can save you a lot of grief from the unsanitary habits of those you work with.
And while you're in the kitchen, you might want to check the temperature of the refrigerator. Even a few degrees can make the difference between food that is safe to eat and meal that is secretly growing is batch of "bugs" that will have you throwing up or in the emergency room within a few hours. Oh, and check the inside of the microwave. If it's not wiped out on a regular basis, who knows what disgusting pieces of "whatever is clinging to the roof" will fall into your leftovers.
Borrowing your co-workers' phones or keyboards carries with it the same risk of shared germs. You might be best friends with the receptionist in the next office, but do you really want the flu that's been just waiting on her computer keyboard since she sneezed this morning?
Improper lighting is a problem in many office buildings. Though it may not cause an increase in actual absences from work, it is often a cause of decreased productivity. Badly positioned lights or the flickering of a failing bulb can both cause your eyes to work harder to compensate for the inadequate lighting. The eye strain that results can lead to headaches and, if the situation continues, to permanent vision problems.
Backaches, headaches, Carpel-Tunnel Syndrome and other RSI (repetitive stress injury) are other dangers lurking in many office buildings. Sitting in a chair all day is stressful enough for the body without having to hunch over the desk to reach your materials or hold your shoulders at an unnatural angle because your chair is too low and the desk hits you at mid-chest. Backaches and headaches are often caused by sitting in an ill-fitting chair for eight hours at a time and can, many times, be avoided by ergonomically designed furniture and equipment. Insist on a chair that can be adjusted to fit your height and that has an ergonomic design. Ergonomically designed furniture works with the contours of your body and can alleviate much of the discomfort caused by ill-fitted or poorly manufactured office furniture. If you are shorter than the average office worker, you may need a footstool under your desk. Sitting with your legs dangling in mid-air all day for five days a week can lead to pain in the lower back and hips, numbness of your feet and lower legs and circulation problems. Make sure that your computer screen is adjusted properly to avoid glare of off any nearby lights. Also, you shouldn't have to strain your neck looking either up or down all day. Keyboards should be placed at a comfortable level and wrist-support should be available to avoid carpel-tunnel problems.
Scissors, paper cutters, box cutters or even paper can cause cuts that if not treated, cleaned and bandaged can become infected and sore. Though these are not serious, it may be worth checking the office first aid kit and making sure it is stocked with first aid ointment and bandages, as well as headache remedies and medicine to treat the occasional upset stomach.
Be sure you know your office's emergency evaluation plan and the location of all of the fire exits. If your company doesn't have an emergency plan, ask your human resources office to institute one.
While current worker's safety regulations have done a great deal to alleviate the occurrence of serious illness and death, it is often up to the individual employees to be aware of their surroundings and take the first steps in staying safe and healthy in today's office environment. While current worker's safety regulations have done a great deal to alleviate the occurrence of serious illness and death, it is often up to the individual employees to be aware of their surroundings and take the first steps in staying safe and healthy in today's office environment.