Top 6 Safety Hazards in the Office

Do you work in an office? When you think of workplaces with a high risk of injury, the modern office probably doesn't come to mind. After all, it's usually laborious jobs that have the highest rates of worker injury. Nonetheless, countless office workers are injured on the job every year. In this post, we're going to take a closer look at some of the most common safety hazards in the office.

#1) Musculoskeletal Sisorders

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are perhaps the most common injury sustained by office workers. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), they account for roughly $15 billion in workers' compensation costs every year. MSDs are characterized by injuries affecting the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and discs.

#2) Slip and Falls

Of course, another safety hazard in the office is slip and falls. OSHA says that slip and falls cause more injuries than any other type of incident in the workplace. In the office, it's not uncommon for workers to trip on exposed power cables, boxes or slippery floors.

#3) Electrical Hazards

There's also the issue of electrical hazards in the office. Given the rise of computers and other electrical devices, this has become an increasingly common concern. When workers overload an electrical outlet, for instance, it creates a serious risk of electrical fire. The high power consumption of the overloaded outlet creates excessive heat, which in turn may start a fire.

#4) Indoor Air Pollution

You might be surprised to learn that indoor air pollution is a safety hazard in the office. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air pollution is ranked as one of the top five hazards to public health. Offices lacking proper air circulation expose workers to potentially dangerous levels of airborne pollutants.

#5) Stacked Boxes or Furniture

Stacked boxed, file cabinets, furniture or other items poses a serious risk to workers' health. Granted, stacking a couple of boxes shouldn't cause any need for concern. When a dozen boxes are stacked higher than workers, however, it increases the risk of injury. If a worker accidentally bumps into the stack, the top could topple and fall on the respective worker, causing potentially serious injury.

#6) Poor Lighting

Don't underestimate the importance of proper lighting in the office. Forcing workers to work in a poorly lit office increases the risk of eye injury. The constant strain placed on workers' eyes can cause eye injury and subsequent vision loss.