Ergonomic Hazards
Risk of:
- Pain in neck, back or arms.
- Musculoskeletal disorders such as carpel tunnel syndrome.
Possible causes:
- Use of computers.
- Over reaching or stretching to obtain books.
Electricity
Risk of:
- Burns.
- Electric shock.
- Death.
- Fire.
Possible causes:
- Overloaded sockets.
- Faulty electrics or insulation.
- Taped cables.
Fire
Risk of:
- Burns.
- Smoke inhalation.
- Death.
Possible causes:
- Faulty equipment e.g. overheating.
- Overloaded sockets.
- Blocked fire exits.
Indoor Air Quality
Risk of:
- Allergies.
- Skin infections.
- Eye irritation.
- Breathing problems.
Possible causes:
- Exposure to dusts, moulds or airborne toxic substances.
- Poor maintenance of ventilation system.
Manual Handling
Risk of:
- Musculoskeletal disorders.
Possible causes:
- Lifting too heavy items.
- Over reaching or stretching.
- Lack of mechanical aids.
Noise
Risk of:
- Annoyance.
- Distraction.
- Stress.
Possible causes:
- Noisy equipment such as photocopiers, ventilation system.
- People talking.
Slips, Trips and Falls
Risk of:
- Minor injuries such as cuts to major injuries such as broken bones, concussion and even death.
Possible causes:
- Trailing cables.
- Worn or torn flooring.
Working at Height
Risk of:
- Fall resulting in physical injury.
Possible causes:
- Lack of or inappropriate access equipment.
- Climbing up shelving to reach books.
Further Information
For further information on related controls click here.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of hazards and risks.