Office safety

An article in smartplanet.com states that those working for long hours in offices are likely to have increased levels of polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in their blood. Though the sample size of 31 is small, if we look at it in a spirited manner, the study says that those in new buildings wherein use of furniture with PFC is more, have more PFC in their blood stream compared to others.
Hence, if the sample is size is more, the percentage of persons exposed to PFC may be high or low. Whatever the statistics say, even if a fraction is exposed and risks the health of the persons, then measures have to be taken to protect these people.
Apart from this, it is well known that carpets are a major source for germs that affect the health of the persons. Further, in closed buildings, where air is recirculated will also have an effect on the health of the persons. When we enter conference rooms that are not in regular use and where ventilation is switched only before use, we get foul smell. Added to these, the new finding of PFCs will add to workers woes in offices.

Safety Daily Advisor : Office Workers: The Forgotten Workforce?

Office safety is as important as industrial safety. Normally, our safety inspections, audits, training programmes are focused on production plants and seldom we think about administration block, canteens, parking areas, etc. We may not get any report on incidents that occurred in these places unless otherwise it is something of serious nature. Those working in these places also may not be aware of safety programme that's going on in shop floors.
Once, when I pulled upper drawer of a filing cabinet (with 4 compartments one above another), due to load, the filing cabinet tilted forward thereby causing all drawers to come out. I missed narrowly of getting hit.
Similarly, when you take out two cabinets and absentmindedly close the lower one, definitely you will injure your fingers.
Few years back, my younger boy tried to climb the open refrigerator and due to shifting of centre of gravity it started tilting forward. As I was nearby, immediately jumped and held the refrigerator. Else, it would have fallen on the kid.
It is common to hear fall of persons in the change rooms. Same thing can happen in wash rooms also.
We see dumping of files in loft / on cupboards / on tables, which can be a fire hazard. These files may fall on the persons below and injure them. Apart from these, there can be reptile movement or damage to files due to termites, and so on.
The article below stresses on importance of safety for office workers and a safety plan for them.

Safety Daily Advisor : Office Workers: The Forgotten Workforce?

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