Acoustic incidents
While hazards in the office may not always be as obvious as those in factories, office workers may also face a range of health and safety issues, including poor job design, prolonged repetitive work, moving heavy loads, inadequate lighting and cramped or unsafe work areas.
Common office hazards include:
Mechanical hazards, such as filing cabinets that tend to tip when heavily laden top drawers are open.
Physical hazards, like glare or reflections from screens; hot components of photocopiers; poorly designed chairs that do not provide the user with adequate back support; or poorly designed jobs and tasks that demand prolonged work in a fixed posture.
Chemical hazards, such as vapours in the atmosphere – for example, paint, solvents or airborne particles like photocopier toner.
Psychological hazards, like the need to perform excessive workloads under pressure; being bullied by a co-worker or supervisor; lack of satisfaction from a job where there is inadequate recognition of work performed; or repetitive work and insufficient task variety.
Electrical hazards, such as damaged electrical cords; or overloaded power points that may lead to the risk of electric shock.