Prepare your safety team for their safety walkthrough with this handy list
Whether your team worked in the office all through the pandemic or is preparing to return to in-person work, there’s no better time for a thorough review of safety throughout your office than now.
The first step in prioritizing safety for your employees is ensuring you have a full safety team in place. Key elements of a safety team and program include:
- Overall office safety assigned to one specific person
- A procedure for handling safety concerns
- Regular communications from the safety team to all staff
- Annual reviews of safety procedures with a full office walkthrough
For the annual review, use this handy checklist to ensure your team covers everything. Each category addresses specific safety needs.
Emergency Procedures
- Emergency phone numbers clearly posted
- First aid kits easily accessible and stocked with non-expired supplies
- AED readily available
- Emergency plans updated for evacuations, bomb threats, hostile person, and fire
- At least one person trained in CPR, AED, and First Aid on-site during all working hours
Fire Safety
- All fire extinguishers tested and certified
- All fire alarms tested and working
Building Exits
- Sufficient exits for prompt evacuation
- Evacuation procedure visibly posted
- Exits unobstructed and free of hazards
- Exits clearly marked and visible
Stairways & Walkways
- Stairways and walkways clear and free of hazards or barriers
- Stairways and walkways well lit
- Sturdy handrails in all stairwells
- Walkways free from trip hazards such as cords or loose floor mats.
Floor Surfaces
- All level and free from loose material, such as debris or worn carpeting
- All floor surfaces cleaned
- Signs available to post when floors are slippery or wet
Lighting
- All bulbs tested and working
- All areas appropriately lit in all conditions
- Emergency lighting in place and tested
Air Quality
- Air free from asbestos, microorganisms, dust, fumes or other contaminants
- Humidity kept within the standard range
- Smoking limited to a separate designated and well-ventilated area
- Are photocopy machines in a separate area with proper ventilation?
Disinfecting, Sanitation & Disease Prevention
- Washrooms, food preparation and eating areas cleaned and sanitized regularly
- Washrooms, food preparation and eating areas stocked with soap, disposable towels and/or hand air dryers
- Hand sanitizer stations and new, disposable masks placed by all entrances/exits
- Hand sanitizer stations and new, disposable masks placed in all shared spaces (meeting rooms, etc.)
Storage
- Step-ladders or stools placed in storage areas to reach higher shelves
- Storage shelves loaded within their rated capacity
- Heavy items stored on bottom shelves
- Passageways and workspaces in storage area clear of obstructions
- Materials neatly and safely stored
- Staff trained in proper lifting techniques
Hazardous Materials
- All products with hazardous chemicals or materials clearly labeled
- Corresponding material safety data sheet (MSDS) for each product
- Workers trained in safe-use of all hazardous products
- Staff member with HazCom training present during all working hours
Electrical
- Extension cords used appropriately
- Electrical appliances in good condition and properly grounded
- Sufficient outlets available to avoid circuit overload
Office Equipment & Workspaces
- All chairs in good condition
- Furniture free from sharp edges and splinter
- Adjustable for proper ergonomics (screen height, chair height, keyboard position, etc.)
- Workspaces uncluttered with adequate storage
Certain businesses, like manufacturing facilities, may need to add other elements to their safety reviews but this checklist can be a good guide to get you started. As with any safety protocol, a regular review of things should always be done. Here’s to staying safe and working well in 2021!