Office safety

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From air fresheners, soaps and lotions to cleaning products, perfumes, colognes and deodorants, scents are often in the air at work.

We’ve all heard that adults should get seven to nine hours of sleep a day. Missing out on good sleep can negatively affect your productivity, cognitive performance, vigilance, accuracy and judgment.

Do you ever get distracted by your cellphone when walking? Is your workspace cluttered and messy? Do you barge out of your workstation without looking to see if a coworker is passing?

Are you worried your workplace might have mold? You’re not alone.

Anyone who has gone to school or has a job has probably heard the term “absenteeism.” But what about “presenteeism” and “leavism”? Although not as widely talked about, both presenteeism and leavism can have serious health and safety repercussions for both workers and employers.

Does your office pass the “civility test”? Workplaces that are civil and respectful have employees who are caring, considerate and courteous in their interactions with co-workers, clients and the public, notes the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety.

Whether it’s a work computer, a home laptop or our ever-present smartphones, chances are you stare at some type of screen for hours each day.

Is your office prepared to deal with workplace violence? If you’re unsure or think it’s unlikely to occur, consider this: “Some 2 million American workers are victims of workplace violence each year,” states OSHA, which adds that “workplace violence can strike anywhere, and no one is immune.”

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.