Working in an office may appear safe, comfortable and mundane. You probably do not think of your workplace as hazardous like you would a construction site or factory. However, office spaces have their own risks of occupational injuries.
Just because you do not work in a highly dangerous environment does not mean you cannot get hurt. It is vital to prioritize your safety as an office worker. Here are a few guidelines for you to follow to avoid hazards and prevent accidents at your job.
Take regular breaks
Your work may not be physically strenuous, but sitting can take a toll on your body. Research shows that sitting for prolonged periods of time in an office chair can result in a variety of health problems, including:
- Muscular issues
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Depression
These health risks are so serious that a Mayo Clinic researcher claims that sitting is comparable to smoking. Make sure you regularly get up, stretch and move around during the day.
Make sure your workspace is ergonomic
If you sit at a desk and stare at a computer all day, you need to be comfortable doing so. Align and center your head over your shoulders and neck. Your elbows should rest at your side, and your wrists should be flat. Your feet should touch the ground or a footrest.
Keep your work area tidy and organized
It can be easy to let your desk and the areas around it get out of hand. Maybe your co-workers leave messes around the office, too. Whoever causes a mess, you should be proactive and clean it immediately. This is true whether it is a coffee spill you could slip on or boxes you could trip over in a walkway.
Offices may not be the most dangerous workplaces in America, but it worth it to be as safe as possible.
