EHS promotes office safety

There is a misconception that hazards or other safety concerns are found only in shops, labs, medical facilities or outside. However, office spaces, where a majority of UNC Charlotte employees work, are not absent from hazards; they can simply be different from those associated with other work environments.

“One of the goals of the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Office is to incorporate safety into everyday office activities, especially those that seem less hazardous,’” said Darius Griffin, director of Environmental Health and Safety. “In doing so, the University will increase safety awareness, reduce accidental losses and promote regulatory compliance.”

While EHS assists campus with reducing hazards to prevent injuries, employees have the authority to reduce hazards. Identifying, preventing and reporting hazards are crucial to reducing the possibility that individuals could experience an injury.

• Encourage colleagues to act safely and develop safe behaviors
• Take action when observing a safety concern. Employees who have the ability to do so and it will not cause additional harm, can remove the hazard. For instance, plug the microwave into a wall electrical outlet instead of the power strip if the cord is in good condition. Another scenario would be if a colleague is approaching a curled floor mat, one could alert them to the trip hazard
• Notify the appropriate department to correct the hazard. For example, if there is broken furniture in a conference room, then alert that department. Likewise, contact Facilities Management about damaged flooring
• Also report hazards to EHS, whose members can help facilitate correction or removal

Building safety is ensuring individuals can safely move throughout the building, especially in the event of an evacuation. Electrical cords and equipment can cause a fire, shock or trip hazard if they are not used properly and carefully. Here are a few tips and reminders on a few ways to promote building safety:

• Appliances such as space heaters, microwaves, coffee makers and refrigerators should be plugged directly into a wall electrical outlet instead of a power strip. Those items can require more electricity than what a power strip can safely provide, which could cause the power strip to overload and start a fire
• If used incorrectly, space heaters can become a fire hazard. The space heater fact sheet provides guidance on approved features, use and the EHS evaluation process
• Avoid using electrical cords that are cracked, frayed or broken; they can cause electrical shocks or a fire
• Electrical cords should not run underneath carpet, across walkways or through doors or windows, as they could become a trip hazard if not secured with tape or a cord cover
• Reduce clutter within workspaces and shared areas to keep them tidy
• Keep aisles and walkways clear of items such as furniture and boxes. In the event of a building evacuation, it is crucial to have an unobstructed route
• Become familiar with the nearest building exit and alternate routes out of the building
• Employees should know their building’s designated assembly location in the event of an evacuation. Each building’s emergency evacuation plan can be found on the EHS website
• The building safety fact sheet and fire prevention plan provide additional building safety information

Ergonomic concerns are frequently associated with office workstations. Here are some suggestions:

• Remember to take regular breaks to stand up and move around if sitting for long periods during the workday
• For a prolonged phone calls, use a headset instead of cradling the phone between the head and shoulder
• Conduct an ergonomic self-assessment to if the workstation is ergonomically correct using the office ergonomic fact sheet or contact EHS for a limited ergonomic assessment.

Slip, trip and fall incidents are the leading causes of injury at UNC Charlotte and can occur even in an office environment. These hazards can exist based on a condition or an action someone takes. Here are a few tips to help avoid a slip, trip or fall:

• Close doors and drawers of furniture and appliances after each use to prevent walking into them
• Turn the lights on when entering a room
• Watch out for damaged flooring, such as wrinkled, curled or frayed carpet and floor mats
• Pay attention to wet floor signs and be cautious when walking in the area
• During inclement weather, wipe feet on floor mats to dry them when entering a building and use umbrella bags, if available
• For more information, consult the injury prevention and slips, trips and falls fact sheets.

Additional information about office safety and a variety of topics is available on the EHS website, including trainings for the professional office work environment. Email questions to EHSoffice@uncc.edu or phone at 704-687-1111.