Types

• Offices use a lot of electronics, so electrical safety hazards loom. According to OSHA, electric shock, electrocutions, fires and explosions are possible effects caused by faulty electrical devices or the mishandling of equipment. Other safety hazards in offices include slip-and-fall accidents and exposure to ergonomic injuries.
  
  

Function

• Employers are responsible for implementing the safety standards OSHA publishes. As such, office employees must be trained about safety precautions. According to an October 2004 update by James Madison University, employees should be instructed to not run up and down stairs, touch electrical outlets with wet hands and leave liquid spills on walking surfaces.
  
  

Considerations

• Office workers do a lot of sitting and computer work. Consequently, these sedentary positions have the potential to cause muscular aches and pains. OSHA has ergonomic regulations for computer workstations that require employers to consider the types of chairs employees use, the position of their computers and the need for ergonomic training to teach workers how to position themselves properly at a desk.