Most New Jersey office workers assume that they are not likely to get injured on the job. However, offices are fraught with all manner of dangers — most of them completely preventable — which employees need to be aware of. Let’s take a look at three common office dangers, and what we can start doing now to make sure we’re not the victims of one.
— Slip and fall accidents: Wet floors, unstable working surfaces, exposed extension cords, loose carpeting, rugs and clutter in traffic areas are some of the most common reasons for slip and fall accidents. Improper use of chairs instead of ladders is another common reason for office falls. As such, New Jersey employers are encouraged to clean up spills immediately, educate workers not to use chairs instead of ladders, invest in ice melting products for sidewalks, use non-slip runners, and make sure high traffic areas are always clear.
— Ergonomic problems: Because office workers spend such a long time sitting at their desks and not moving, they can develop strain injuries from lack of mobility. These include back and neck problems, posture-related problems, carpal tunnel syndrome and more. To prevent these injuries, employers can invest in specially designed ergonomic keyboards, desks, chairs and other products. They can also educate their employees on the importance of stretching, moving and not staying immobile for extremely long stretches of time without changing position.
— Eye Strain: Staring at a computer screen all day long is not very good for the eyes and it can develop serious eye strain. Symptoms could include dry or irritated eyes and even trouble focusing. In order to prevent these injuries, OSHA recommends that workers take regular 10-minute breaks every hour, and letting eyes rest by focusing on things in the distance.
New Jersey office workers who are suffering from any of the above injuries — or another kind of work-related condition — can seek workers’ compensation benefits to pay for medical care. It can also be beneficial to retain the services of a workers’ compensation benefits lawyer to assist evaluate and prepare such a claim in a fashion to seek the highest level of benefits possible.
Source: shrm.org, “Five Common Office Hazards to Prevent,” Roy Maurer, accessed Nov. 10, 2016
