{"id":21740,"date":"2016-10-18T15:59:49","date_gmt":"2016-10-18T22:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/?page_id=21740"},"modified":"2025-11-12T09:50:38","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T17:50:38","slug":"sppm-2-78","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/safety-policies-procedures-manual\/sppm-2-78\/","title":{"rendered":"2.78 Safety Precautions for Office Workers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Safety Policies and Procedures Manual<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Safety Precautions for Office Workers<\/h2>\n\n\n
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SPPM 2.78<\/strong><\/p>\n

For more information contact:<\/strong>
   Environmental Health and Safety
   509-335-3041<\/p>\n

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Responsibility<\/h3>\n

University personnel are responsible for using safety precautions while in offices. This section provides an overview of common office safety problems and precautions. For detailed information on a given topic refer to cross-referenced sections.<\/p>\n

General Precautions<\/h3>\n

Ergonomics<\/h4>\n

See SPPM 2.74<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lifting Practices<\/h4>\n

See SPPM 2.74<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Smoking<\/h4>\n

See SPPM 6.10<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Housekeeping<\/h4>\n

Make sure that wastebaskets are emptied regularly.<\/p>\n

Keep aisles, exits, and stairs free of obstructions.<\/p>\n

Slips and Falls<\/h4>\n

Tripping Hazards<\/h5>\n

Remove tripping hazards from all walkways. Examples of hazards include briefcases, electric cords, wastebaskets, and fans.<\/p>\n

Liquid Spills<\/h5>\n

Immediately clean up liquids spilled in traveled areas.<\/p>\n

Winter Footwear<\/h5>\n

During winter months, wear footwear with traction soles when running errands to other buildings, or traveling to and from work.<\/p>\n

Worn Stair Treads, Broken Floor Tiles, Broken Handrails<\/h5>\n

Report worn stair treads, broken floor tiles, or broken handrails to the campus facilities services, operations department.<\/p>\n

WSU Pullman<\/h6>\n

Facilities Services, Operations recommends that WSU Pullman departments report worn stair treads, broken floor tiles, or broken handrails through myFacilities<\/a> (see UPPM 80.45<\/a>).<\/p>\n

WSU Pullman departments unable to access or utilize the myFacilities website may report worn stair treads, broken floor tiles, or broken handrails to Facilities Services, Operations; telephone 509-335-9000.<\/p>\n

Non-Pullman Units<\/h6>\n

Non-Pullman units are to contact the campus facilities services, operations office (see UPPM 80.45<\/a>) to report worn stair treads, broken floor tiles, or broken handrails.<\/p>\n

Ladders<\/h5>\n

Use a step ladder, not a chair or table, when reaching for something on a high shelf.<\/p>\n

Prior to use, make sure that the ladder is in good condition.<\/p>\n

Make sure the ladder is tall enough. Do not use the top two steps on ladders over 5 feet high.<\/p>\n

Opening Letters and Packages<\/h4>\n

Use regular letter openers or retractable blade box cutters instead<\/b> of knives, exacto knives, razor blades, or scissors.<\/p>\n

Retract the blade when not in use.<\/p>\n

Fire Safety<\/h3>\n

Keep fire doors closed in order to contain smoke and gases in the event of fire. Make sure that fire doors with automatic closing devices close completely<\/b>. See also SPPM 8.23<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Fire Evacuation Plans<\/h4>\n

See also SPPM 8.23<\/a>. See SPPM 8.27<\/a> for evacuation of disabled persons.<\/p>\n

Know the unit’s fire survival plan. The fire survival plan, including evacuation routes, is posted on the unit’s safety bulletin board.<\/p>\n

Practice the prescribed evacuation routes during regular fire drills.<\/p>\n

Fire Extinguishers<\/h4>\n

See also SPPM 8.22<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Know locations of nearby fire extinguishers.<\/p>\n

Know the proper uses of each class of fire extinguisher.<\/p>\n

Reporting Inoperable Fire Extinguishers<\/h5>\n

Periodically check the gauge to ensure that the extinguisher is operational.<\/p>\n

Report discharged or otherwise inoperable fire extinguishers to the campus facilities services, operations office.<\/p>\n

WSU Pullman<\/h6>\n

Facilities Services, Operations recommends that WSU Pullman departments report discharged or otherwise inoperable fire extinguishers through myFacilities<\/a> (see UPPM 80.45<\/a>).<\/p>\n

WSU Pullman departments unable to access or utilize the myFacilities website may report discharged or otherwise inoperable fire extinguishers to Facilities Services, Operations; telephone 509-335-9000.<\/p>\n

Non-Pullman Units<\/h6>\n

Non-Pullman units are to contact the campus facilities services, operations office (see UPPM 80.45<\/a>) to report discharged or otherwise inoperable fire extinguishers.<\/p>\n

First Aid Kits<\/h3>\n

See SPPM 2.42<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Know the locations of the unit’s first aid kits.<\/p>\n

Know who in the unit has been trained in first aid. Employees with first aid training are listed on the unit’s first aid kits.<\/p>\n

Restock the unit’s first aid kits as necessary.<\/p>\n

Office Equipment<\/h3>\n

Typewriters and Printers<\/h4>\n

Keep long hair and loose clothing away from moving parts.<\/p>\n

Turn off the power or unplug the electrical connection when changing an element, ribbon, or cartridge.<\/p>\n

Filing Cabinets<\/h4>\n

To improve the stability of a filing cabinet, place heavier materials in the lower drawers.<\/p>\n

Open only one drawer at a time to avoid destabilizing the cabinet.<\/p>\n

Use the handles, not the drawer, when opening file drawers.<\/p>\n

Keep drawers shut to eliminate tripping hazards.<\/p>\n

Do not place loose items on top of filing cabinets.<\/p>\n

Paper Cutters<\/h4>\n

Keep the blade down when not using the paper cutter.<\/p>\n

Do not use a cutter unless a finger guard is firmly attached.<\/p>\n

Fans<\/h4>\n

Do not place fans in aisles and doorways.<\/p>\n

Do not remove protective guards from fans.<\/p>\n

Ensure that fan guards have openings no larger than one-half inch.<\/p>\n

Electrical Safety<\/h3>\n

See also SPPM 2.72<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Extension Cords<\/h4>\n

Extension cords must have three wires, three prongs and at least 16 gauge wire.<\/p>\n

Do not exceed the rated capacity for the extension cord.<\/p>\n

Replace worn or frayed cords.<\/p>\n

Prevent tripping hazards by keeping electrical cords out of aisles and doorways.<\/p>\n

Electrical Outlet or Switch Covers<\/h4>\n

Report broken or missing outlet or switch covers to the campus facilities operations office.<\/p>\n

WSU Pullman<\/h5>\n

Facilities Services, Operations recommends that WSU Pullman departments report broken or missing outlet or switch covers through myFacilities<\/a> (see UPPM 80.45<\/a>).<\/p>\n

WSU Pullman departments unable to access or utilize the myFacilities website may report broken or missing outlet or switch covers to Facilities Services, Operations; telephone 509-335-9000.<\/p>\n

Non-Pullman Units<\/h5>\n

Non-Pullman units are to contact the campus facilities services, operations office (see UPPM 80.45<\/a>) to report broken or missing outlet or switch covers.<\/p>\n

Additional Outlets<\/h4>\n

When additional electrical outlets are required, departmental personnel should request that Facilities Services, Operations review electrical wiring in the office area.<\/p>\n

If a multiple outlet strip can be safely used without overloading circuits, obtain a multiple outlet strip meeting the following specifications:<\/p>\n