The following will help keep your office workspace safe and healthy:
Avoid personal injury:
- Guard the sharp edges of furniture to prevent personal injury.
- Close desk drawers and pull-out surfaces when not in use.
- Avoid overloading the top drawers of filing cabinets to keep the cabinet from tipping over when drawers are open.
- Open one drawer of the file cabinet at a time to prevent tipping.
- Book cases or file cabinets taller than 64 inches must be secured or anchored. Keep bookcase doors closed when not in use.
- Keep razor blades, tacks, and other sharp objects in closed containers.
- Use the proper tool for the job at hand, (e.g., staple remover to remove staples)
- Do not participate in horseplay.
- Jewelry, long hair, and clothing must be kept clear of the moving parts of all office machines.
- Report all defects such as loose tiles, broken steps, railings and doors immediately to the Maintenance Department.
Avoid slips, trips, and falls:
- Practice good housekeeping. Keep floors free of items that might cause tripping.
- File cabinets should be placed where their use will not interfere with the office traffic patterns.
- Keep file and desk drawers closed when not in use to help prevent tripping accidents.
- Keep waste cans out of the way, do not overfill them.
- Prevent slipping accidents by cleaning up spills immediately.
- Do not lean too far back in chairs. They may result in over-balancing and a fall.
- Use only safety step tools or ladders for climbing. Don’t stand on swivel chairs or use them as step stools.
- If it is necessary to run a cable or electrical chord across the floor, a cable cover must be used to protect wiring and prevent tripping.
Practice electrical safety and fire prevention:
- Do not overload electrical outlets.
- Do not plug a multiple outlet strip (an extension cord with multiple electrical receptacles) into a second multiple outlet strip.
- Multiple outlet strip cords must be 6′ in length or less, and have a circuit breaker
- Report immediately, any damaged electrical cords, broken switches, loose connections or bare wires to the Maintenance Department.
- Unplug any office machine that smokes, sparks, or delivers an electrical shock. Have it inspected by the appropriate repair personnel.
- UMES is a smoke-free environment and smoking is prohibited inside all UMES buildings.
- Be careful with flammable liquids. Only the quantity needed for use should be in the workplace. They should be kept in a ventilated area, away from excessive heat or ignition sources.
- Power switches must be off, or the cord unplugged, when electrical equipment, such as a typewriter, is being cleaned or serviced.
- Do not run extension cords through walls, ceilings, or doors
Practice fire safety:
- Office doors shall be free of obstructions at all times to permit egress in case of emergency.
- Do not block aisles, exits, stairways, fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations, sprinkler heads, or electrical panels.
- Do not store items or position furniture or equipment closer than 18″ from a sprinkler head.
- Know the evacuation plan for your building
- Participate in FIRE DRILLS
Maintain building health:
- Do not cover air vents
- Keep windows closed
- Do not place furniture, equipment or materials in locations that will interfere with air movement around thermostats.
- Avoid overwatering plants to prevent standing water conditions that encourage mold growth.
- Report any observed pest control problems to Environmental Health and Safety.
