Working in an office might not seem inherently dangerous, and whilst such desk work may not be as hazardous as a job on a building site or similar, there will still be many potential issues facing those in such an environment. In some ways, office work can actually be a bigger health and safety nightmare, mostly due to the fact that the environment seems so innocuous.
From poor lighting to the many trip hazards that may be around the room, the office is actually full of very small potential problems that can mount up to much larger issues over time. However, the workstations themselves are the first place that businesses should look when addressing the health and safety issues within their office.
A workstation assessment will help businesses better understand the risks facing those who sit in one position for long periods of time. From neck and back problems to RSI and even knee and joint issues, there will be many potential long-term health problems associated with sitting still at a desk all day, every day. By refocusing the desk, the position of items upon it and, just as importantly, the chair on which one sits, there can be a huge improvement in both focus and physical health, and businesses are likely to see far fewer man hours lost through inactivity or absence.
A work risk assessment is not just about removing physical hazards and when many businesses assess the risks their environment presents them, they overlook workstations, assuming that they are going to be far from harmful.
Of course, some offices will also offer immediate physical danger too, but these dangers will be easy to identify in any safety risk assessment. Instead, it is the long-term problems that are often overlooked and taking the time to assess such issues could save your business a fortune, and your employees from facing serious health problems.
For more information please visit – www.ohrecruitment.co.uk/dseassessments
