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- Date published: 13/10/2020
Workplace Health and
Safety
Introduction
This blog will discuss the hazards and risks that may occur
in an office/working environment, it will describe the risks and suggest ways
in which you can minimize these risks to ensure the workplace is safe. Workplace health and safety
is important therefore the office/working environment should always be maintained
and reviewed for potential hazards. The blog will discuss windows, lighting and
indoor temperature. There are many more potential risks within the workplace
such as ventilation, room dimensions and space, cleanliness and waste materials
to name a few. But this blog will discuss the three previously mentioned.
Windows
Windows in the workplace should
pose zero risks to anyone. They should be capable of opening, closing and being
adjusted safely. They should also be built and designed in a way that allows them to be cleaned in a safe manner.
There should also be
consideration for the equipment used when cleaning the windows including any
devices fitted to the windows and how they could affect the safety of the
windows.
Windows are dangerous there have
been some serious injuries and fatalities that have occurred from people
falling through or out of them. Typically, such an event occurs within 3 main
categories 1. Accidental 2. Confusion 3. Deliberate self-harm or suicide. Where
windows are big enough for people to fall out of the opening, the window should
be restricted to 100mm or less. These are typically windows on or above the
ground floor level.
Conducting a risk
assessment on the windows in your workplace may be a good way to start as
this will help you identify and eliminate any risks that could pose a threat to
your employees.
Lighting
Lighting like windows should pose
zero risks to anyone in the workplace. The lighting in workplaces should be
sufficient to allow people to work and move around safely.
Lighting effects such as glare
can cause discomfort in the workplace. Glare occurs when too much light enters
the eye and then the eye's ability to manage it is affected.
To help and control the risk
lighting can cause in the workplace there are a few things you can do: Replace
light bulbs regularly, clean light fixtures often. Also to maximize light in
the workplace you can paint walls and ceilings in light colours so light can be
reflected.
Temperature indoors
Thermal comfort can be influenced
by the clothes individuals wear in the workplace and how demanding psychically
their work is. Due to this, it can be difficult to specify a thermal environment
that satisfies everyone.
In a workplace where the activity
level is sedimentary, the recommended temperature should be at least 16 degrees.
But if the work involves psychical activity/effort then the recommended
temperature should be at least 13 degrees. If the workplace becomes too hot
then it increases the risk of causing dizziness, fainting, or even heat cramps.
According to an article by the guardian
women’s brains work better in warmer offices, “researchers say that workplaces
may be able to increase productivity by setting thermostat higher”. The article
states also that men tend to work better when the temperature is cooler.
Conclusion
To conclude health and safety
within the workplace is very important as employees should always come to work
knowing they are in a safe place, therefore ensuring your office/working
environment is as safe as possible is important. At Libben we run health and safety courses such
as IOSH working/managing safely and a whole range of first aid courses as well.
If you are looking to make your workplace a safer place get in touch to find
out how we may be able to help.
Let me help you spend some money :)