Safety Needs

A faulty filing cabinet drawer falls out and crushes a foot.

A chair no longer sturdy enough to hold even the weight of a small child practically disintegrates. The adult sitting in it is seriously hurt.

Computer cords and telephone wires tumble onto the floor. A passerby trips and falls.

These scenarios are all nightmares for office managers, safety personnel and those who handle the medical claims. But, sadly, they are not uncommon in offices where lots of activity is going on. An accident can happen at any time, in any place, offices included.

All too often these types of accidents could have been avoided if the company involved employed a little more common sense and better equipment, perhaps, had been in use. A little advanced planning and brainstorming the possibilities might save you and your employees time, money and a lot of hurt down the road.

When it comes to office furniture, unless your company enjoys skirting potential lawsuits, it's a very good idea to not only inspect it for safety sake, but also arrange it to maximize walking space, reduce trip hazards and ensure everyone in the office stays as safe as possible.

Inspecting office furniture for signs of wear and tear should be a regular routine. This means checking legs, drawers, tops, screw connections and more. It might seem like an inconvenience, but this practice might just save you from some bigger inconveniences in the future.

In addition to inspections, office furniture should be arranged in the best manner to provide plenty of maneuvering space within an office. Clear paths to doors and windows should be kept open in case of emergency. All cords and wires involved with office equipment should be neatly concealed behind desks or under specialized "runs" on the carpet. These are designed to minimize the potential for trip and fall accidents.

It might seem a little over the top, but taking a few moments of time on a regular basis to consider safety might not only save your company a few dollars down the road, it could also save a fellow employee (or even you) from a lot of unnecessary pain.

It's true you can't prevent every accident from happening, but there are simple measures you can take to reduce your odds.