Equipment
What should an employee do if they notice that workplace equipment is damaged?
Report it and stop using it if it could create a safety risk.
What does workstation design refer to?
How a worker's desk, chair, computer, equipment, and workspace are arranged.
What is a physical hazard?
A condition, object, or situation that can cause physical injury or harm.
What is one factor that can negatively affect employee well-being?
Stress, excessive workload, lack of support, fatigue, or similar factors.
What are the four workplace-safety lenses we've studied?
Equipment, ergonomics/workstation design, physical environment, and employee well-being.
A printer has a damaged power cord. Which workplace-safety lens does this problem fall under?
Equipment.
A computer monitor is positioned too low, causing an employee to constantly bend their neck. Which lens should the business investigate?
Ergonomics / Workstation Design.
A box is blocking an emergency exit. Which workplace-safety lens does this involve?
Physical Environment.
An employee is experiencing constant stress because of an unrealistic workload. Which workplace-safety lens should be considered?
Employee Well-Being.
A business has a safe computer, a properly arranged workstation, clear walkways, and reasonable workloads. What is the business demonstrating?
A healthy office environment.
Why should employees receive training before using unfamiliar workplace equipment?
To reduce the risk of improper use, injury, or damage.
Why is proper workstation design important?
It helps employees work safely and comfortably and can reduce strain and discomfort.
Name two conditions in a workplace that could be part of the physical environment.
Examples include lighting, temperature, noise, floors, walkways, exits, and housekeeping.
Why can employee stress become a workplace concern?
Excessive stress can affect an employee's ability to work effectively and may contribute to other problems.
An employee has a properly adjusted chair but is constantly exposed to excessive noise. Which lens should the business investigate?
Physical Environment.
An employee notices that a machine's safety guard has been removed. What should the employee do?
Stop using the equipment and report the problem.
An employee's chair is too low, the keyboard is too far away, and the monitor is poorly positioned. What do these problems have in common?
They are workstation-design/ergonomic problems that may contribute to discomfort or injury.
Employees repeatedly trip over a cord stretched across a walkway. What should the business investigate?
The physical environment and the hazard created by the cord.
A business has safe equipment and clean work areas, but employees consistently report extreme stress and fatigue. What does this suggest?
The workplace may still have safety concerns because employee well-being is part of a healthy workplace.
A business replaces damaged equipment, improves workstations, clears blocked exits, and addresses excessive employee stress. What is the business doing?
Addressing workplace safety from multiple lenses.
A business has new equipment, but employees have not been trained to use it. Why could this still be a workplace-safety concern?
New equipment can still cause injury or damage if employees don't know how to use it safely.
A business wants to reduce employee discomfort at computer workstations. Which would be the BEST first step?
Evaluate how the workstations are arranged.
A business has excellent equipment and comfortable desks, but several walkways are blocked and emergency exits are difficult to access. Why can the workplace still be considered unsafe?
Workplace safety involves more than equipment and workstations; the physical environment must also be safe.
A manager notices that employees are overwhelmed, making more mistakes, and becoming increasingly fatigued. What should the manager investigate before simply telling employees to “work harder”?
Workload, stress, employee support, working conditions, and other factors affecting employee well-being.
A business has the newest equipment and beautifully designed offices, but employees are experiencing high stress, fatigue, and frequent mistakes. The manager says, “Our workplace is safe because we have good equipment.” What is wrong with this conclusion?
Workplace safety cannot be judged by equipment alone. A healthy workplace also considers workstation design, the physical environment, and employee well-being.