by Beverley Francis

Created on: July 24, 2009

Accidents happen everywhere and most of the time they can be avoided by simple means. In the workplace it is everyone's responsibility to make sure any unsafe situations are reported and rectified. By paying attention to your surroundings and practising preventative measures most workplace accidents can be avoided.

A very simple way to prevent a lot of accidents is to remember to close desk drawers and filing cabinets after you are done with them. Keep boxes and other obstacles out of traffic areas to avoid anyone bumping into them, and from becoming a fire hazard.

If something is just out of your reach please, please don't use your swivel chair as a step stool. I know this sounds obvious but you would be surprised at how often people do this.

Another hazard people don't notice until it's too late is a torn carpet or heaved tile. You usually discover this one when you have an armful of papers and your late for a meeting. If you can tape it down until maintenance can repair it.

Take care when moving or lifting anything use proper body mechanics to avoid straining or pulling muscles. Keep your back straight and use your legs to do the work.

Each machine in the office should have a separate power outlet to prevent an overload, avoid using extension cords. Make sure to keep all cords, cables and wires out of traffic areas to prevent tripping, catching a cord and pulling some expensive piece of equipment off the desk and ruining your day.

If there is no choice but to have cords in a traffic area use cord cover to keep the cords from tripping people and to also keep them from suffering damage by being walked on. It is also a good idea to check for damage to cables, cords and wires in your office on a regular basis and have these taken care of immediately.

Emergency numbers should be displayed where they are easy for everyone to see, I also keep a list taped to my desk underneath the phone.

Know where the first aid kit is kept and who, at the workplace has first aid training. If no one has first aid training maybe an arrangement with the employer can be worked out to provide training to several staff members.

It is very important to know where the fire and where the fire exits are located. If your place of work does not have a comprehensive emergency evacuation plan in place find out why. Having an evacuation plan in place and occasional drills will ensure that people keep their heads and leave the building in an orderly manner when a real emergency does occur. Panic is a big injury causing factor in an emergency.

Know your WHMIS(workplace hazardous materials information sheet). Every workplace must have one identifying all chemical materials used at the workplace. This information covers everything that is a chemical or can cause a chemical reaction when mixed with something else. This sheet should list all the information you need to know to safely use the product.

It's all just a matter of making yourself aware of what is going on in your working environment.

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