FACTS

1.  Slips, Trips and Falls

Universal slip, trip and fall culprits include unattended spills, wet floors, exposed cords, unstable work surfaces, uneven floors, loose rugs, and cluttered areas.

2. Ergonomic Injuries

Office workers spend many hours a day seated at a desk, working on a computer, resulting in ergonomic strains and other injuries related to posture and repetitive movement. T

3. Eye Strain

Spending a large portion of your workday at the computer can cause eyestrain. Eyes may become dry and irritated, and workers begin having trouble focusing. Staring at a computer monitor does not help eye safety.

4. Fire Safety

• Power cords should be inspected regularly for wear and be replaced if they are frayed or have exposed wire.
• Cords should never be used if the third prong has been damaged or removed.
• Cords should never overload outlets. The most common causes of fires started by extension cords are improper use and overloading.

5. Indoor Air Quality

The office’s air quality can be greatly improved by proper maintenance, cleaning and filtration of the ventilation, heating, and air conditioning system. This will help reduce respiratory irritants, infections, and illnesses.

STATS

• According to a 2019 report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 3 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported by private industry employers.
• The Center for Disease Control (CDC) cites falling as the most common office related accident. In fact, the CDC found that office workers are 2 to 2.5 times more likely to suffer an injury from a fall than non-office workers.
• Adapting tasks, workstations, tools, and equipment to fit the worker can help reduce physical stress on a worker’s body and eliminate many potentially serious, disabling work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Each year, MSDs account for more than $15 billion in workers’ compensation costs.
• Homicide is the fourth-leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the United States. In fact, of the 4,547 fatal workplace injuries that occurred in the U.S., 506 were workplace homicides.
• Private industry employers reported 2.7 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2020, down from 2.8 million in 2019, a decrease of 5.7 %, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.