Establishing a safe workplace means implementing proper procedures for office duties and employee behavior. Even seemingly trivial rules are put into place in an effort to protect clients and staff from danger. Development of effective office safety procedures should focus on two main areas: rules regarding employee conduct, in order to prevent injury and provisions provided by employers to protect employees from the environment.
Fire and Evacuation Procedures
Fire and evacuation procedures are two major concerns regarding safety in a work environment. Employers should consider procedures to prevent fire hazards including rules that prohibit smoking and the overloading of electrical outlets. Clear evacuation routes should be posted throughout the office and routine practice drills should be conducted periodically. Employers can install fire detection devices and implement protocol to keep them maintained and updated.
Security Procedures
Proper office security is a valuable resource for protecting employees. Procedures regarding security involve the use of identification badges upon building entrance. For more dangerous work office environments, employers may institute procedures for baggage checking and metal detection. Employees should log off computers in order to keep office files protected and to prevent others from accessing inappropriate Internet websites.
Task Procedures
Procedures for office tasks may be used in an effort to prevent accidents. For example, file cabinets should not be loaded so that they are top-heavy. Large boxes and furniture should not be lifted by bending at the waist. When floors are cleaned, clearly-featured warning signs should be placed around the area to prevent anyone from slipping. Staircases and hallways should be kept clear of debris so that no one can trip and fall. Employers can even implement procedures regarding how long employees should sleep or break between shifts. This precaution can prevent accidents caused by fatigue or stress.
Bio-hazard Procedures
Finally, to keep employees safe from chemicals and germs, many offices have procedures regarding the handling of bio-hazardous materials and chemicals. Separate trash facilities must be put in place for such waste. Employees may need to wear gloves or face masks while performing certain duties. Also, food and drinks should be kept in designated areas in order to prevent contamination. Hand washing is also essential to preventing the spread of germs and other hazardous substances.
Tags: order prevent, prevent accidents, should kept