Safer Place To Work

Fish Tanks Can Minimize Stress In The Office

admin — Sat, 28 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Fish tanks are a great way to help workers in the office who get stressed out during the way. Studies done on this subject have shown it lower blood pressure and provide many other health benefits. The benefits of having a fish tank are worth the expense of setting it up and maintenance.

A fish tank can also provide one with many mental problems, including dealing with stress. Fish can be visually hypnotic which helps reduce anxiety and help relax those who are feeling high tension. This affect can last throughout the rest of the day making the office a much more pleasant place. The improved mood of the workers also help productivity and worker creativity.

Another important part of working in the office is a health of the workers. If workers are in bad health it can lead to lower quality of work and contribute to a more depressing work environment. Fish tanks give out a calming feel that helps a sick workers focus on their work. If people in the office have heart problems the fish tank can provide them with lower blood pressure and a steady pulse rate. This helps the worker stay healthy and will reduce the number of sick days they take because of heart related problems.

Appreciation Goes A Long Way In Minimizing Stress

admin — Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Appreciation goes a long way in minimizing stress. This is true whether you are a boss, employee, or even a parent. Simply saying thank you to someone can make them feel like the task was well worth doing and it makes them more apt to help you in the future. Letting employees know that they are doing a great job, and showing encouragement, can make them more productive. Generally speaking happy employees work better and harder than ones who are down and stressed at work.

Stress causes people to get frustrated and overwhelmed. This leads to rushed work, and accidents in the work place, which in turn leads to more stress. Appreciation can boost safety ratings, work quality, and turnover rates of employees. Many companies wonder why they cannot hang on to workers, but simple improvements in the way they treat their employees could show vast results in obtaining long term help. A thank you, a quick note, a certificate for a job well done, will go a lot further than criticism.

Incentives are a great way to show appreciation. An incentive lets employees know that you do in fact care about their performance and that you appreciate it. Less stressed employees also tend to be healthier, which means less days of calling in sick.

Does Yoga Have A Place In The Office?

admin — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Many businesses are looking for new and creative ways to keep workers healthy, happy, and focused. That brings up the question does yoga have a place in the office? Many people would say yes for businesses that allow for some flexibility and unique techniques to increase happiness among workers.

Most estimates have around 11 million people practicing yoga in the United States today. The reason so many people do yoga, and the reason why it would have a place in the office, is because of all of the benefits. Healthy workers are going to miss less time and be more productive when in the office. Yoga can increase strength, flexibility, and posture. Having proper posture and increasing strength and flexibility is key to leading a healthy lifestyle.

More importantly yoga helps people mentally. In high stress and high work environments like an office, it is important to make sure workers stay calm, relaxed, and refreshed. Relieving stress and helping with mental capabilities is something yoga can do. Having a half hour or hour of yoga time in the office is going to help keep everyone mentally fresh. The physical and mental benefits are fantastic and will improve employees work capabilities.

The World’s Most Dangerous Desk Job

www.saferplacetowork.com — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Some jobs are inherently dangerous, with every day on the job equal to a life on the line. Military personnel, firemen, police officers, enlisting or enrolling in one of these career paths takes risk into account, thus requires prerequisite training to ensure appropriate survival skills. Other job titles have come to be synonymous with danger, either thanks to hit television shows like The Deadliest Catch, chronicling the adventures aboard fishing vessels Bering Sea, or simple common sense. No man or woman who earns a living as a power-line worker expects to perform his or her day-to-day duties without extreme caution.You may be surprised to learn, however, that the most dangerous job in the world (at least among jobs at which statistics are kept), is in fact an office job. But not just any office, rather the Oval Office. Even with dedicated teams of security professionals at their disposal, known as the Secret Service, to the average citizen, the President of the United States remains the world’s most hazardous occupation.There have been 44 Presidents to serve as leader of our country. Of those 44, 8 men have died in office (greater than 18), the first of whom being William Henry Harrison, who succumbed to pneumonia and pleurisy only 31 days into his first term. The President is placed in harm’s way not only by natural causes (in most cases, the President is a man of advanced age), but also because of the ideology he represents, as you can only satisfy a small percentage of global opinion simultaneously. Extremist individuals have assassinated 4 Presidents in United States history, including Abraham Lincoln (1865), James A. Garfield (1881), William McKinley (1901) and John F. Kennedy (1963), among several other attempts on the President’s life.Fortunately, due to advancements in modern medicine and more thorough, technologically sophisticated security measures, every President elected to office since 1963 has survived his final term in office and gone on to experience life after the Presidency, still a daunting task to lead the nation, but much less of a threatening life-choice.

Workplace safety honors in the news

admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:53:26 +0000

Everybody knows that poor workplace safety can quickly rocket your organization into the headlines. However, recently organizations are also getting recognized for their shining examples of the right way to deal with workplace safety. Across the country, here are some companies or groups that have recently gotten honored for their contributions.The Heritage Farms Dairy in Murfreesboro, Tennessee was recognized today with the Governor’s Award of Excellence for Workplace Safety. The qualifications for the award were 500,000 hours of work time without any loss or restrictions due to safety issues. For the Dairy, the start of their record dates back to November of 2008. It’s also the second time the workplace has received the award, which was announced today at the Annual Tennessee Safety and Health Congress. The Congress offered a number of workshops and lectures, including the Federal OSHA-approved “10-Hour General Industry Safety & Health Course.”Washington County in Minnesota was honored as a whole with the Governor’s Safety Award of Honor for its 2008 performance. This is the highest award possible from the Governor’s Safety program, and is judged based on implementation of more than 90 of safety benchmarks. County Risk Manager Julie Sorrem attributes the county’s success to its impressive safety programs. In addition to fewer injuries, these programs result in lower insurance premiums and less absenteeism on the part of workers.Finally, Forcey Lumber Company in Pennsylvania was recently awarded the Silver Eagle Safety Award from Unified Employer Solutions, Inc. Despite working in a high-risk industry, the company has been accident free for over three years. For President Brant Forcey, safety is just another way in which his company demonstrates safety. Of course, recognition is not the reason to emphasize safety programs, but all of these companies, and others like them, should be honored for the dedication and respect they show to their employees.

Office Safety Tips

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:11:50 +0000

Apart from automobile accidents, falling is the leading cause of accidents in the workplace. Even if you work a boring desk job, you’re in danger of slipping, tripping, or stumbling your way to the emergency room. Fortunately, the majority of nasty spills are easily preventable by following a few simple safety tips.

Don’t lean back in your chair. Sure it’s fun to balance with two out of four legs on the ground, but it’s not so fun to tumble to the ground. Also, check to make sure your chair is beneath you before you sit. It sounds silly, but we all know it happens. Don’t let it happen to you or you’ll be the brunt of office jokes for the next year and the unhappy recipient of a bruised tailbone.
Be mindful of tripping hazards. Don’t leave electrical cables to your computer, telephone, or TV in the middle of any isles. Bundle the cords together and store them under your desk. Also be sure no boxes, chairs, or other inanimate objects are left in walking areas.
Always close drawers. It’s annoying and dangerous to leave open drawers aroundunsuspecting employees are likely to walk right into them causing pain and humiliation. Also, don’t store supplies on top of cabinets, only inside them. When someone walks into the drawer that shouldn’t be open you don’t want the pile of junk on top of the cabinet falling on them. Put the heaviest items in lower drawers.
Pay attention and look where you’re going. Don’t try to multitask by reading an important paper while walking through the office. On a similar note, WALK, don’t run. Wherever you’re headed will still be there if you slow your pace down.
Don’t overload wall sockets or extension cords with plugs. The more plugs in one place, the more likely you are to blow a fuse or cause an electrical accident. You also shouldn’t touch anything electrical with wet hands.
Clean up any spills immediately after they happen. If you drop your coffee and decide to clean it up later, chances are someone’s going to slip in it. Also, don’t eat or drink anything by the computereasy accidents could void the warranty and cause expensive malfunctions.

In addition to falling related accidents, safety precautions should be taken when dealing with cleaning supplies, toxic chemicals, kitchen areas, and rest room sanitation. You should store chemicals in clearly marked bottles in separate closets. Restrooms should be cleaned at least once a day and refrigerators should be cleaned once a week. Additionally, it is important to take out the trash so it doesn’t accumulate and spread hazardous diseases.

How to Improve Workstation Ergonomics

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:10:57 +0000

Employees in typical office settings sit in the same chair and work on the same computer tasks for eight hours a day, five days a week. While office jobs may not be physically demanding, they can very easily lead to repetitive strain injuries which develop overtime. These injuries, caused by being in the same position and using the same muscles day in and day out, can lead to long term disability. Ergonomics is the science of designing and engineering workplace equipment that will prevent the onset of repetitive strain injuries.You can improve the ergonomics of your workstation by making minor changes to your computer using habits. In your chair, place your feet flat and your thighs parallel to the floor. Adjust the seat in the most comfortable position so that there is optimal coverage of your legs and bottom. When you type, your elbows should be at a 90 degree angle close to your sides and your wrists should be level and relaxed. When looking at the monitor, keep your eyes on the upper two thirds of the screen. If there is a reflecting light problem, try tilting the screen down or using a glare guard. For optimum typing comfort, use a keyboard tray platform that can be adjusted to the desired height and distance. When you use your mouse, use your entire arm to move it. This minimizes the strain on your wrist. You can customize your mouse settings on the control panel of your computer to adjust the speed of your cursor.Despite the improvements in ergonomically designed office equipment, you should still take short breaks from constant keyboard use. Every 30 minutes, take a 90 second break from your computer. Stand up and stretch your arms and fingers while looking away from your monitor. It’ll feel good to get a good stretch in and your eyes will be thankful for the change of scenery.

Host an Office Safety Training Seminar

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:10:09 +0000

Most American’s with typical jobs don’t usually think of the office as a dangerous place. While it’s true the danger risk is low in the average office environment, it’s always best to be prepared. Employees need to know how to respond in emergency situationswhat if someone has a heart attackwhat if there’s a fireor a burglar on the premises? To educate employees on these topics, you can conduct an office safety training seminar for a low cost.Part of the local police department’s public service duty is to provide safety training and tips regularly. The same goes for the fire department. To book a representative of the police and fire department, simply phone the local office and tell them you want to host a safety seminar. In addition to public and fire safety, you’ll want to include a section on proper first aid training. A local nurse or other qualified CPR professional can teach the dos and don’ts of temporary medical assistance. Employees will learn the techniques of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) as well as the importance of emergency equipment and first aid kits during medical incidences.During the seminar, you should be sure to include directions should there be a fire or earthquake. According to risk managers and safety officers, it is also important to address mechanical hazards. For example, employees need to know not to overfill a file cabinet (it can tip and fall if not properly bolted) and not to overheat the electrical equipment (such as copy machines).A less obvious hazard that requires attention is the psychological effects of working too many hours. To avoid accidents and fragile mental states, address the issues of psychological hazards in the office and offer a reference to a local psychologist.

Crime Prevention in the Workplace

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:08:20 +0000

Though not obvious, there are many opportunities for crime in the workplace. Employers and employees alike need to be wary of unwanted visitors, vandalism, shoplifting, fraud, and even each other. Background checks and verification processes during hiring are the best way to prevent criminal activity among employees.Most of the criminal prevention tips are common sensedon’t stay late alone in the office, use a buddy system after hours, report any broken windows or locks, know your company’s emergency plan, and be sure to identify any unknown visitors. A good way to keep unwanted visitors out is a card lock system. Employees are issued magnetic cards with photo ID’s on them that grant them access through otherwise locked doors.In addition to the common sense safety tips, there is another form of crime prevention called Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). This theory contends that law enforcement officers, architects, city planners, landscape and interior designers, and resident volunteers can create a safer workplace from the start. The idea is that a physical environment that positively influences human behavior will prevent crime. If an environment has natural access control, natural surveillance, territoriality, and maintenance, then criminals are less likely to intrude. If you’re interested in learning more about CPTED, training courses are offered during October and November in Dallas, TX or York, PA.

Be SafeIt’s the Law

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:04:15 +0000

President Richard Nixon may not be perceived as the most ethical of leaders due to the infamous Watergate scandalbut he does happen to be responsible for your right to a safe workplace. When Nixon signed the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHAct) on December 29, 1970, he ensured the safety of employees around the country. The OSH Act was passed to prevent serious injury or death in the workplace and is strictly enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Since its passing in 1970, there have been close to 30 amendments and additions that keep the laws up to date and applicable to today’s workforce.Under the OSH Act, employers are required to provide employees with working conditions free of known dangers. Workers have the right to receive information and training about hazards, methods to prevent harm, and the OSHA standards that apply to your workplace. The OSHA will provide workplace inspections upon request and employees are entitled to the results. If you choose to file a complaint and ask OSHA to inspect your workplace, your identity will remain confidential and your employment will be protected. You can file complaints online, via mail, or telephone (1-800-321-OSHA). Workers also have the right to review records of work related injuries and illnesses, get copies of their medical records, and use their rights free from retaliation and discrimination.Knowing your workplace is required by law to abide by safety rules and regulations is vital to your sense of security. While the Act enforces the law, it is up to you to maintain it. If you see a safety hazard, don’t be afraid to report it. Additional areas of safety coverage provided by the OSHAct include hearing conservation, chemical hazard communication, workplace violence, personal protective equipment, and health hazard evaluations.