Office

Risk of:

• Health effects such as dermatitis and respiratory problems.

Possible causes:

• Exposure to cleaning chemicals and toners.

Risk of:

• Burns.
• Electric shock.
• Death.
• Fire.

Possible causes:

• Faulty or poorly maintained equipment.
• Overloading of sockets.

Risk of:

• Cuts.
• Electric shock.
• Being struck by an object.

Possible causes:

• Faulty equipment.
• No or poor maintenance of equipment.
• Unsecured filing cabinets or unstable shelving.

Risk of:

• Pains in back, neck or arms.
• Musculoskeletal disorders.

Possible causes:

• Poorly set up computer or office workstations.
• Inappropriate seating.
• Over reaching or stretching e.g. to reach objects above shoulder height or below shoulder height.
• Prolonged or intense keyboard or mouse use.
• Supporting the telephone on the shoulder whilst using a computer or writing.
• Poor ergonomics of software.

Risk of:

• Smoke inhalation.
• Burns.
• Death.

Possible causes:

• Overloaded sockets or extension leads.
• Faulty or unmaintained equipment.

Risk of:

• Musculoskeletal disorders.

Possible causes:

• Lifting heavy items such as boxes of photocopy paper.

Risk of:

• Fatigue and inefficiency.
• Impaired concentration.
• Increased mental and emotional strain.

Possible causes:

• Exposure to low level noise such as ringing phones or equipment generated noise

Risk of:

• Minor injuries such as cuts to major injuries such as broken bones, concussion and even death.

Possible causes:

• Uneven surfaces.
• Worn or torn carpets.
• Cluttered or poorly maintained office areas.
• Loose phone cords or computer cables.
• Trailing cables.

Risk of:

• Fall resulting in minor injuries such as bruises and cuts to major injuries such as concussion or broken limbs.

Possible causes:

• Lack of access equipment such as footstools to access material stored at height.