There are common hazards that exist in the Office and Business Industry. It is important to learn about these hazards and how to work safely in these environments.  

Within this industry you may be involved in a range of work activities such as dealing with cash records and petty cash, mail, records and banking procedures, writing, typing and photocopying.  
 
 

  

Hazard Identification  

Hazard identification is a key step in preventing injury and disease in the workplace. Where there's a risk, you need to stop and think. You need to think about what you are about to do, the potential risks and the likely effects on yourself and other people.  

The 3 Step Approach to Hazard Identification:  

1.	Spot the hazard.
	Be alert at work! Notice potential hazards and work out what the problem is.
2.	Assess the risk.
	Talk to your supervisor about the hazard and work out a way to solve the problem.
3.	Make the changes.
	Follow through. Carry out the agreed actions in order to solve the problem.

A person who works in an office would not be exposed to as many hazards as someone who works in a factory. However, unlike a factory worker, an office worker must sit for long periods. Adopting the correct posture is very important. When office workers just used typewriters, calculators and pens and pencils to do jobs, it was fairly easy to arrange things on the desk so that the worker could sit properly. When computers are involved it is not so easy.  

The office worker must:  

• look at the screen; 
• look at the documents you must read from; 
• use the keyboard; 
• look at the keyboard (if necessary); 
• use a mouse 
• use a telephone; and 
• sit using the correct posture. 

• A desk that is big enough to reach all the things you need without over-reaching or twisting. If you use a computer the desk should be at least 90 cm deep, to enable you to look at the screen from a comfortable distance; 
• A chair that provides good back support and which can be easily adjustable to a correct working height. (This usually means adjusting the height of the chair so that your elbows are at the same height as the home row of keys on the keyboard); 
• A footstool, if your feet cannot rest comfortably on the floor when the chair is at the proper height. 

OOS affects parts of the body that are used in work activities that involve one or more of the following:  

• frequent or repetitive movements (such as operating keyboards for long periods). 
• forceful movements (such using a punch or a stamp) 
• postures that are held for long periods (such as looking at a computer screen that is too high, or holding your head at an angle to see past glare on the screen). 

Make sure that employees performing repetitive work are given adequate rest breaks (5 minutes every 30 minutes or 10 minutes every hour is recommended) or are given a combination of repetitive and non-repetitive jobs (e.g. a mix of keyboard tasks and delivering mail).  

Make sure that employees such as keyboard operators are not overloaded with work or forced to meet unrealistic deadlines.  

Providing appropriate furniture and equipment so that employees use the correct posture.  

Ensure that employees are given adequate training in how to use the equipment properly and the correct adjustment of the furniture.