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Are desks, benches and chairs suitable for the people using them and for the tasks they are performing? Poorly designed chairs, which cannot be adjusted for height and to support your lower back can cause back pain. Desks and which are not ergonomically designed and adjustable to accommodate a range of heights can also cause discomfort and increase the risk of OOS and other injuries.
Passages
Are passages and exits kept clear at all times? Accidents can be caused by poor housekeeping, for examples boxes stacked near workstations, or in passages and doorways, or equipment left lying about on the floor.
Equipment
Is equipment with dangerous moving parts properly guarded? Unguarded equipment is a frequent cause of workplace injuries and fatal accidents.
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Electric Cords
Are electric cords kept clear of walkways and other areas where people could trip over them? Are cords and extension leads kept away from areas where they could get wet?
Are suitable lifting and carrying devices such as hoists and trolleys supplied? Many lifting tasks require the use of these devices.
Manual Handling
Are items, which must be manually lifted and carried stored and worked on at a suitable height? Well designed storage areas and work areas can significantly reduce the amount of bending, twisting and lifting that you need to do to carry out your tasks. Reducing these activities will also reduce the risk of back and other injuries occurring.
Air and temperature: Is the workplace kept at a comfortable temperature? Thermal stress associated with heat, inadequate airflow or cold conditions can increase the risk of health problems occurring. Badly designed air-conditioning - such as the positioning of vents above workstations - can create draughts, cause discomfort and contribute to OOS problems. Noise: Is noisy equipment enclosed or located away from where people are working? Noisy equipment not only affects concentration, it can also cause permanent hearing loss. Chemicals: Are chemicals stored safely and used in areas where there is adequate ventilation and safety equipment? Some chemicals can cause serious health problems. Often labels and Material Safety Data Sheets state that chemicals should only be used in suitably ventilated areas or in areas located near suitable safety equipment. Lighting: Are lighting levels suitable for the tasks being performed? Lighting problems - such as flickering lights, glare and a lack of natural light - can cause eyestrain and vision problems. Psychological factors: Noise and lack of appropriate privacy can lead to poor concentration, and affect your ability to perform your work satisfactorily.
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WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? Employers are required by law to ensure that the workplace is a safe place. Employees have a responsibility to follow procedures for working safely, and use any protective equipment which has been provided for your personal use. PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS Workplace layout and design is not something that only needs to be considered when a workplace is built, or when a new process or piece of equipment is introduced. Design and layout need ongoing attention to deal with inadequacies which become evident during work, and to deal with changes in the type of work being done or the way in which work is done. Through regular "walk through" safety checks conducted by OHS representatives and/or management, you can identify and rectify hazardous situations before they cause health and safety problems. These checks should be done in consultation with OHS representatives and employees. Things to consider include:
work station height and location and walking distance to complete job cycles; pedestrian and traffic access to the workplace; whether tasks need to be performed seated, or standing or a combination of both; whether noisy equipment is isolated and partitioning is used to reduce noise and distraction.
Purchasing procedures in your workplace can also be reviewed to ensure that health and safety issues are taken into account prior to the selection of new equipment and furniture so that new hazards are not introduced. LAYOUT AND DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS IN THE OFFICE Computers which are poorly placed - for example in a position that causes screen glare from reflected lights or not at the correct height for the user - can contribute to OOS. Keyboards which are not adjustable for height or placement and badly designed computer mouses can add to the strain associated with constant keyboard use. Keyboard work should be alternated with other non-repetitive tasks throughout the working day to relieve strain. Devices to assist keyboard work, such as document holders, wrist rests, angle boards, and footrests should be supplied if required. Training in basic typing skills can reduce the incidence of neck strain caused by continuously looking down at the keyboard. Regular exercise breaks should be taken. Adjustable desks and chairs to suit individual needs should be supplied. Extract WorkCover NSW Page 3 of 4
Heavily used photocopiers may require isolation and adequate ventilation as they have parts which heat and produce potentially toxic fumes. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for photocopier chemicals should be provided by suppliers for staff who use photocopiers a lot. Disposable gloves should be provided for handling toner. FURTHER READING National Code of Practice for the Prevention and Management of Occupational Overuse Syndrome, AGPS, 1994. Guidance Note for the Prevention of Occupational Overuse Syndrome in Keyboard Employment, AGPS, 1989. National Standard for Manual Handling, AGPS, 1990. National Code of Practice for Manual Handling, AGPS, 1990. Ergonomic Principles and Checklists for the Selection of Office Furniture and Equipment, AGPS, 1991. Officewise - A Guide to Health and Safety in the Office Health and Safety organisation, Victoria, 1996 Other leaflets in this series: Safe use of equipment and machinery at work; Comfort at work; Overuse injuries; Noise; Manual handling.
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