| While the issue of workplace safety is often | | | | different styles, all of which reduce glare by up to |
| associated with risky environments or those who | | | | 95%, starting at less than $40 each. Reduced eye |
| perform manual labor tasks like heavy-lifting or | | | | strain not only means healthier employees, but is |
| factory work, providing a safe, comfortable place | | | | likely to increase productivity as well. |
| for office employees is just as essential. Because | | | | 3. Clean restrooms prevent the spread of illness. |
| an office is a contained, highly-controllable | | | | Most illness-causing bacteria and viruses are |
| environment, unlike a factory or outdoor work, | | | | spread through person-to-person contact and |
| most worker's comp accidents that happen in an | | | | contact with surfaces that other people have |
| office could be avoided. Here are some easily | | | | touched. Keeping a restroom clean, and |
| correctable hazards to watch out for: | | | | encouraging employees to wash their hands will |
| 1. Trip hazards. Cables and wires are components | | | | inevitably cut down on the spread of |
| of almost every piece of office machinery, from | | | | communicable diseases and decrease the amount |
| computers to printers to photocopiers to fax | | | | of time lost to sickness. Have restrooms cleaned |
| machines. Allowing cables to lie on the floor, | | | | at least once per day and make sure there is |
| jumbled up is only inviting trouble. Simple, | | | | always a supply of antibacterial soap and paper |
| inexpensive cable management systems can | | | | towels available. Keep a large trash bin in the |
| minimize the potential for employees to trip over | | | | restroom to prevent a pile up or overflowing of |
| these cables and damage expensive equipment or | | | | paper towels. |
| themselves. We found a variety of cable | | | | 4. Chill out and buy a 'fridge. A refrigerator, even |
| management options at starting as low as $2 | | | | a small one, can prevent food-borne bacteria |
| each if you buy in quantity. A small price to | | | | from manifesting in foods that employees bring |
| prevent what could be a costly worker's comp | | | | for lunch, particularly in high-risk foods that contain |
| claim. | | | | mayonnaise or dairy products. Encourage |
| 2. Watch your eyes. Anti-glare filters for | | | | employees to utilize the refrigerator and keep it |
| computer monitors are an effective way to | | | | clean. The cost in lost work time due to one bout |
| reduce eye strain associated with prolonged | | | | of food poisoning for a single employee can easily |
| computer use. We found an assortment of | | | | exceed the price of a single, efficient mini-fridge. |