Why You Office’s Safety Profile Just Isn’t Good Enough

Offices are supposed to be safe places where people can go to work without having to worry. But unfortunately, many companies fall short of achieving the hazard reduction they want. This mainly occurs because they don’t understand what they should be doing to cut risks. Many managers are oblivious. 

For that reason, there’s a high chance your office’s safety profile isn’t what you would like it to be. While it might look safe and welcoming, there’s a significant chance it isn’t. 

Fortunately, this post can help. We look at some of the reasons your office safety profile is less than stellar and how you can improve it. Here’s everything you need to know. 

You Still Have Physical Hazards

The main problem with office safety is the presence of physical hazards. Despite looking pleasant and featuring aesthetic interior designs, many offices remain dangerous places for the people who work in them. 

For example, uneven floors and clutter represent a trip and fall risk. Wires hanging out of the back of desks can also cause people to fall over and hurt themselves, winding up in A&E departments. 

Electrical wiring hazards are another problem. Frayed wires and cabling not designed to handle the current going through them can increase the risk of electrocution and burning

There are even fire hazards to consider, including flammable materials, poorly fitted or malfunctioning fire alarms, and blocked fire exits. 

Dealing with all these problems is challenging. However, there are some solutions, including: 

• Only use electrical wiring with specifications suitable for your needs
• Using fire fighting pumps to ensure you can pump water higher up your building for sprinklers or hose outlets
• Removing any flammable materials and replacing them with burn-free options
• Cleaning up your office to remove trip and fall hazards
• Ensuring that you provide staff with ergonomic desks and chairs to prevent injury while at work

You Still Have Chemical Hazards

Another issue in many offices is chemical hazards. A lot of companies improperly store chemicals and fail to segregate them out of reach of office personnel. 

If you think your office is chemical-free, think again. Even printer ink can be potentially dangerous, depending on where you source it. 

To minimize chemical hazards: 

• Store all chemicals in locked rooms well away from working areas and major thoroughfares
• Ensure you train staff on how to use PPE effectively while handling chemicals on-site
• Ensure you properly label all your chemicals and keep them in suitable containers

Your Office Itself Is Hazardous

Finally, your office itself might be hazardous. For instance, it might not have sufficient ventilation or be exposed to excessive noise pollution. You might also have excessive vibrations from machinery in the basement that could cause structural issues or even injury to staff. 

You can remedy these problems by: 

• Installing better insulation or upgrading your HVAC system 
• Putting noise-proof plaster or acoustic-blocking materials on walls to prevent street or machinery noise from adversely affecting workers
• Putting in structural elements that reduce vibrations from whirring machinery and protect staff.