Office safety

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Snow-covered or icy roads, and slick driving surfaces resulting from heavy rain – these are just some of the weather-related conditions that workers may encounter. All this severe weather potential raises the question: Should workplaces have severe weather policies?

Winter is coming, or so whispers that chill of cold air making its way through your office. To keep warm, you may be considering using a portable space heater at your desk.

Before you plug it in, know that portable electric space heaters can present a “major workplace safety hazard,” according to Electrical Safety Foundation International.

Menomonee Falls, WI — It’s common knowledge that handwashing helps prevent the spread of germs in the workplace. But are people taking that message to heart? Not everyone, according to the results of a recent survey.

Boston — Bagels and donuts during the breakfast meeting. Cake for birthday celebrations. Consuming extra food is a common occurrence for many workers. But before you grab that free donut, know this: Workplace snacks may be adding more than 1,000 calories to your daily diet.

Washington — A few days away from the office may help clear your head and leave you feeling more positive about work. But how long does that positivity last once you return? Not long at all, say about two-thirds of respondents to a recent survey conducted by the American Psychological Association.

London — Workers who experience depression may be less prone to miss work when managers show greater sensitivity to their mental health and well-being, recent research from the London School of Economics and Political Science shows.

Briarcliff Manor, NY — You’re at home with family in the evening when you receive an email notification. It’s from your boss. Do you respond? A new study finds that pressure to check work email from home can negatively affect your health, your relationship with your significant other, and his or her health.

If you work in an office, chances are good that you sit for a large part of the day. This puts you at risk for ergonomics-related problems.

Think emergency drills are only for schoolchildren? Think again. The National Safety Council urges all workers to take drills seriously.

Achieving a work-life balance can be a challenge, and it’s easy to forget a simple necessity: Take care of yourself.