Occupational Health And Safety. OH&S
Electrical
Electric shock due to contact with an electrical appliance made ‘live’ after liquid has been spilt over it
Ensure staff keep liquids well away from electrical appliances
Ensure appliance is disconnected from power before cleaning spill
Ensure appliances are not connected near sources of water
If equipment has been effected by liquid ensure it is inspected and tested prior to use and the details are recorded
Obstructed Walkways
Cabinets with slide out draws / sideway hinged doors which open to obstruct a passageway
Where possible locate cabinets out of trafficable areas
If cabinets border on passageways, select cabinets which have slide-away or roller doors, which do not protrude when open
Lighting
Inadequate lighting
Match level of illumination to requirements of work (e.g. number, type and position of light sources)
Have tubes and light fittings cleaned or changed periodically to maintain designed levels of illumination
Filing cabinet tipping over
Cabinet unstable if heavily loaded top drawer is pulled open to its full extent
Cabinet drawers slide open when cabinet is not level and is left unlocked .
Where appropriate place heavier contents in lowest drawers and distribute files to keep centre of gravity as low as possible to minimise risk of cabinet tipping
Check that all cabinets are standing level and use rubber wedges to stabilise any unsteady cabinet. Test to ensure drawers do not open when cabinet is unlocked
Ensure one draw is opened at a time (e.g. use filing cabinets with anti tilt mechanism and locking system)
Locate cabinet against a wall and check that file cabinet stands level (may need to use wedges and spirit level to achieve level position)
-Restrain filing cabinet to the wall .
-Access to stored Contents
-Lifting files above head height
-Lifting files below the knees
-Tightly packed drawers require excessive force to remove or insert files .
-Provide a step, stepladder or ladder to allow employees to work safely at any shelf level
-Plan storage to locate heaviest or most frequently used documents at easily accessible heights to minimise the demands of manual handling (i.e. waist height)
-Ensure employees are trained appropriately in correct lifting techniques (e.g. avoid twisting)
-Review contents periodically and archive any old or little used files
Mouse And Keyboard
Are to be placed at certain heights in order to minimize chance of injury.
Arms should be parallel to floor when at rest
Use keyboard in a lowered position (i.e. fold away keyboard feet)
Ensure wrists are in neutral position (i.e. if appropriate use wrist rest)
Keyboard should be used in front of screen or document holder (major viewing surface)
Keyboard used directly in front of user
Locate keyboard as near to the front edge of the desk to reduce reaching
Locate mouse as close as possible to keyboard to reduce reaching
Provide a style of keyboard / mouse which is comfortable for the user
Provide a mouse which fits the size and natural shape of the user’s hand
Ensure appropriate surface for smooth operation of mouse
Personal Electronic Devices
Music playing, Headphones, reduce alertness.
Consider developing policy about where and when it is appropriate to use personal electronic devices
Including awareness of the dangers of personal electronic devices in induction
Using stereo headphones (circumaural headphones) that cover the entire ear or in-ear headphones (canalphones) to block background noise instead of earbuds or earphones that are not capable of delivering the same dynamic range and consequently often used at a higher volume
Display appropriate signage about responsible use of personal electronic devices
Provide appropriate training to employees to encourage appropriate posture, regular breaks, stretching exercises and eye health management (blinking regularly to lubricate the eye and focusing on objects away from a screen)
Moniter
To be placed to low or high for the user. Incorrect tilt and distance from user, user wears bifocal glasses.
Set monitor so employee can read top of screen without tilting head backwards to do so
Working documents should be located between the screen and keyboard or alongside the screen to ensure the same focal distances for both
Spectacles with full corrective or multifocal lenses should be used
Screen should be placed arms length away from the employee, with the top of the screen just above eye level
Locate the monitor directly in front of the employee to reduce twisting of the neck and torso
Place the screen with a tilt of 15 degrees up from vertical
Locating the two screens side by side to reduce back and neck twisting from one screen to another
Slightly angle the screens towards one another to further reduce twisting
Screen should be placed in front of you proportionally to the use (i.e. if one screen is used 90% of the time it should occupy 90% of the space in front of the operator)
Operator
Lack of variety, Strain eyes from lack of different tasks.
Conduct a workstation assessment before operator begins work (i.e. desk height, chair adjustment, keyboard / mouse / screen position)
Have appropriate signage / computer applications to remind employees to take breaks and guidance on appropriate stretching exercises
To reduce risks of body fatigue and or stressing from repetitive tasks, implement task variety to reduce the risk
Chair
Incorrect chair size, poor back support, font edge of seat rounded.
Have an ergonomic assessment undertaken
Try chairs of different styles and dimensions until user feels secure, has adequate support and feels comfortable
When purchasing new chairs specify seat pans to have a well padded rounded ‘waterfall edge’
Alert all users of high chairs or stools of the need for particular care when getting on or off these
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