A lot of office hazards (like frayed wires and cluttered walkways) are obvious, so it's not too hard to avoid them if you use your common sense. But many dangers are not quite so easy to spot. Although these may not lead to accidents, they can cause discomfort and health problems in the longer term.
Sitting at your desk
By adapting your posture and your work environment, you can minimise the risk of irritating or serious long term health problems.
To make sure your posture is correct
Adjust your chair so that your feet are flat on the floor and your arms rest at a 90º angle to the desk top
Keep your back straight and supported - it's best to have an adjustable backrest
Use a document holder so that you can see documents easily
To use your VDU in the safest way:
Keep your screen out of the glare of artificial lights and natural sunlight every two or three days to remove dust and finger marks
Clean the screen
Avoid sitting in the same posture for hours on end
Take regular breaks away from the computer.
Preventing RSI
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is the name given to a group of injuries affecting people who carry out repetitive tasks – like working at a computer keyboard.
To prevent RSI:
Keep your forearms and wrists parallel to the floor
Keep your elbows relaxed next to your body
Avoid bending your wrist when using a keyboard
Use the minimum amount of force to push the keys
Hold the mouse in a relaxed hand and use the whole arm to move it
It is vital not to ignore the early warning signs of RSI which include aches, pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, weakness and cramps in the arms, wrists and hands. Always seek medical advice quickly if you have any of these symptoms.
Managing stress
Stress is one of the most common causes of ill health at work, and it is not something that is experienced only by top level executives. It can be triggered by a number of factors including:
Poor working conditions
Having too little or too much to do
Lack of resources, support and recognition
Feelings of insecurity
Sexual harassment or bullying
It's tempting to use alcohol, nicotine or chocolate to help you deal with these kinds of situations. But you could be making the problem worse, not better! Instead choose a method which prevents stress from troubling you; for example relaxation, exercise, massage or listening to music. Or you could try to find a solution by chatting things through with your boss or someone in HR.
Both your career and your health will suffer if you don't take steps to manage stress. Don't feel that you have to struggle alone because it's not always something that you can overcome by yourself. If you've got emotional problems, talk to the person who is causing them, or have a heart to heart with a trusted friend or counsellor.
