Sometimes, we underrate the importance of safety at work, and it’s easy to think that work safety only applies to individuals who work in hazardous environments. When you work in an office, it's easy to dismiss the idea of simple safety measures. But then, consider that in 2017, there were 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses in the United States.
Those are just the ones that were reported. With statistics like this, it's difficult not to pay attention to safety. As a result, we've assembled a short list of safety tips you can use in the office to keep yourself and your co-workers safe.
Safety Tips in the Office
Even though the office is the most unlikely place you expect to get an injury, you’d be surprised at how often they occur. Safety in the office begins with your workspace. You should make sure your desk is ergonomically set up. Ergonomics can be viewed as the branch of science that's concerned with the arrangement of the work environment for comfort and optimum productivity.
You may have heard of an ergonometric keyboard. It's set up in such a way to help you exert as little energy as possible while typing. One of the ways you can optimize the ergonomics of your workspace is to keep everything in an easy-to-reach position and place a priority on the things you need the most.
The things you reach for the most should be closest to you, and the ones you reach for the least should be farthest from you. Additionally, you should take short walking breaks after a few hours of prolonged sitting. Desk ergonomics will reduce the amount of strain you put on your body, and regular walking breaks will ensure that you keep your back healthy.
Safety Tips in the Construction Site
If you work anywhere near a construction site, then you probably already have a ton of safety training. You already know where to be, and where not to be. However, everyone can use a refresher now and then.
For starters, you should always be aware of your surroundings. Construction sites are known to be very unpredictable, as there are a lot of things happening at once. As a result, a constant awareness of your surroundings will ensure you don’t put yourself in dangerous spots. For example, standing under a rigging with Crosby shackles is a bad idea. They can suspend up to 2 tons, and you don't want to be standing under them, however secure they may be.
Another tip is to never unplug a tool with the cord. At the end of a long and hard day, you just want to pack it all up and call it a night. A lot of accidents happen during this time – when you're tired, and your guard is down.
The reason you don’t want to unplug a tool with the cord is that pulling on the cord can damage the tool, especially if the plug is wedged into the socket. Additionally, you can injure yourself if you yank it out and accidentally trip on it. It's much better (and safer) to walk over to the socket and pull out the plug properly. Your body will thank you.
