OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND

SAFETY IN OFFICES
NOSHC – Module One

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AUTHORITY

 OBJECTIVES

• To understand the health and safety

hazards in the office work setting.

• To appreciate the diversity of office health

and safety.

• To understand the role of ergonomics in

promoting office health and safety.
 FEATURES OF OFFICE WORK
• Working in front of a table while seated.

• Sitting in front of a computer terminal and

operating it occasionally by means of typing or
moving a mouse.

• Sitting in front of a computer screen and type for

long periods every working day.

• Alternate between sitting and standing while

working on a bench/counter.
 HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARDS OF
OFFICE WORK
…The office like any other work environment may present
potential health and safety hazards:

• Poorly designed jobs and workplaces not taking into

account differences among tasks and individuals.

• Slippery floors, open file drawers, and falling objects.

• Jobs Inadequate environmental conditions, such as

noise, temperature, and humidity.

• Environmental pollutants such as chemical vapors

released from new carpeting and furniture.

• Cleaning materials - such as bleach may have the

 HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARDS OF
OFFICE WORK cont…
• Jobs involving repetitive motions.

• Individual job practices.

• Fixed and constrained postures that are frequently

awkward and maintained for too long a time.

• Repetitious and forceful hand movements.

• High pace of work (unmatched job targets)

 THE LEADING DISABLING ACCIDENTS

• Falls

• Strains and overexertion

• Falling objects

• Striking against objects

• Being caught in or between objects

 FALLS AND THEIR CAUSES

• Falls are the most common office accidents.

• A fall occurs when you lose your balance and footing.

• One of the most common causes of office falls is tripping over

an open desk or file drawer.

• Tripping over electrical cords or wires are other common

hazards.

• Office falls are frequently caused by using a chair or stack of

boxes in place of a ladder and by slipping on wet floors.

• Loose carpeting, objects stored in halls or walkways, and

inadequate lighting are other hazards that invite accidental
falls.
 PREVENTING FALLS IN OFFICE WORK
• Be sure the pathway is clear before you walk.

• Close drawers completely after every use.

• Avoid excessive bending, twisting, and leaning

backward while seated.

• Secure electrical cords and wires away from

walkways.

• Always use a stepladder for overhead reaching.

Chairs should never be used as ladders.
 PREVENTING FALLS IN OFFICE WORK
cont…
• Clean up spills immediately.

• Pick up objects co-workers may have left on the

floor.

• Report loose carpeting or damaged flooring.

• Never carry anything that obscures your vision.

• Wear stable shoes with non-slip soles.

PREVENTING INJURY AFTER A FALL

• If you find yourself heading for a fall,

remember - roll, don’t reach.

• By letting your body crumple and roll, you

are more likely to absorb the impact and
momentum of a fall without injury.

• Reaching an arm or leg out to break your

fall may result in a broken limb instead.
 STRAINS AND OVEREXERTION
• Although a typical office job may not involve
lifting large or especially heavy objects, it’s
important to follow the principles of safe lifting.

• Small, light loads (i.e., stacks of files, boxes of

computer paper, books) can wreak havoc on
your back, neck, and shoulders if you use your
body incorrectly when you lift them.

• Backs are especially vulnerable; most back

injuries result from improper lifting.
 OFFICE ERGONOMICS
…Ergonomics is matching the job to the worker and
product to the user to ensure safety and efficiency.

• It is the science of designing objects, products,

and environments to suit the human capabilities
and limitations, examples could be chairs
designed to provide comfort to the user, a tool
with padded handle.

• Ergonomics and human factors are often used

interchangeably in workplaces.

• Office ergonomics means fitting the office workplace to

the workers by modifying or redesigning the job,
workstation, tool or environment.

• Workstation design can have a big impact on office

 WORKSTATION ERGONOMICS
• There are a multitude of discomforts which can
result from ergonomically incorrect workstation
setups (e.g. computer workstation).

• The most common complaints relate to the

neck, shoulders, and back.

• Other concerns are the arms and hands, and

occasionally the eyes.

• For example, poor chairs and/or bad postures

can cause lower back strain; or a chair that is
too high can cause circulation loss in legs and
feet.
A COMFORTABLE COMPUTER WORKSTATION
…IS ALSO A SAFE WORKSTATION
• The key to comfort is in maintaining the body in a
relaxed, neutral position.

• The ideal work position is to have the arms hanging

relaxed from the shoulders.

• If a keyboard is used, arms should be bent at right

angles at the elbow, with the hands held in a straight line
with forearms and elbows close to the body.

• The head should be in lined with the body and slightly

forward.
A RECOMMENDED COMPUTER WORKSTATION
 ARRANGING YOUR WORKSTATION TO FIT
YOU
• Adjust the height of the chair’s seat such that the thighs
are horizontal while the feet are flat on the floor.

• Adjust the seat pan depth such that your back is

supported by the chair back rest while the back of the
knee is comfortable relative to the front of the seat.

• Adjust the back rest vertically so that is supports/fits the

curvature of your lower back.

• With the arms at your sides and the elbow joint

approximately 90 degrees, adjust the height/position of
the chair armrests to support the forearms.
 ARRANGING YOUR WORKSTATION TO FIT YOU cont…
• Adjust the height of the keyboard such that the fingers
rest on the keyboard home row when the arm is to the
side, elbow at 90 degrees, and the wrist straight.

• Place the mouse, trackball, or special keypads, next to

the keyboard tray. Keep the wrist in a neutral position
with the arm and hand close to the body.

• Adjust the height of the monitor such that the top of the
screen is at eye level. If bifocals/trifocals are used, place
the monitor at a height that allows easy viewing without
tipping the head back.

• Place reference documents on a document holder close

to the screen and at the same distance from the eye.

• A footrest may be necessary if the operator cannot rest

his/her feet comfortably on the floor.
ADJUSTING YOUR SEAT
 MOVING THE MONITOR AWAY FROM
SOURCES OF GLARE OR DIRECT LIGHT.
A COMFORTABLE COMPUTER WORKSTATION
FOOTREST ARE HELPFUL FOR
SHORT OPERATORS
MECHANICAL PRESSURE DUE TO SHARP EDGE
PREVENTING MECHANICAL PRESSURE
 GOOD WORK PRACTICE CAN MAKE A
JOB EASY AND SAFE
• Tipping the monitor slightly downward.

• Using diffusers on overhead lighting.

• Placing an anti-glare filter on the screen.

• Clean the monitor screen on a regular basis.

• Avoid cradling the telephone between the head and

shoulder.

• Hold the phone with your hand, use the speaker phone,
or a headset.
A HEADSET IS RECOMMENDED TO AVOID
AWKWARD POSTURES
 GOOD WORK PRACTICE CAN MAKE A
JOB EASY AND SAFE cont…
• Keep frequently used items like the telephone, reference
materials, and pens/pencils within easy reach.

• Position the monitor directly in front of the user.

• Move between different postures regularly.

• Apply task lighting as to your needs.

• Use the minimum force necessary to strike the keyboard/ten-

key keys.

• Use the minimum force necessary to activate the hole punch

and stapler.
 GOOD WORK PRACTICE CAN MAKE A
JOB EASY AND SAFE cont…
• Vary your tasks to avoid a long period of one activity.

• Take mini-breaks to rest the eyes and muscles. A break

does not have to be a stop of work duties. However, it
should be a different style of physical activity such as
changing from keyboarding to using the telephone or
filing.

• Neutralize distracting noise by using ear plugs, playing

soft music, or turning on a fan.

• Maintain a comfortable workplace temperature by using

layers of clothing or a fan.
 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING
MUSCULOSKELETAL PROBLEMS

• Sitting at a desk for long times can be unhealthy

and damaging to the musculoskeletal system.

• Most common are complaints relating to the

neck, shoulders, and back.

• Other concerns are the arms and hands and

occasionally the legs.
WHAT ARE MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS?

...Disorders of joints, muscles, tendons and

ligaments due to overuse or repetitive use
of the affected body parts.

• Examples are strain, sprain, tendinitis,

tenosynovitis, myositis, arthritis, and
repetitive strain injuries.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER JOBS
ASSOCIATED WITH RISK OF
MUSCULOSKELETAL PROBLEMS.
• Design of the workstation.

• Nature of the task.

• Repetitiveness of the job.

• Degree of postural constraint.

• Work pace.

• Work/rest schedules.

• Personal attributes of individual workers.

 COMMON INJURIES

• Injuries of the neck

• Injuries of the shoulder

• Injuries of the elbow, wrist, hand

• Injuries of the spine

• Injuries of the knee, ankle and foot

WHAT ARE MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS?
- STRAIN

… This occurs when a strained muscle,

ligament or tendon insertion has
been pushed or pulled to its extreme
by forcing the joint beyond its
normal range of motion. It
commonly results from lifting a
heavy load or bearing an external
force. The symptoms resolve within a
few days to week.
WHAT ARE MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS?
cont..
- SPRAIN

…Sprain is an injury in which a

ligament has been stretched so far
that a few fibers within the ligament
or its attachment are torn.
 WHAT ARE MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS?
cont..
- TENDINITIS, TENOSYNOVITIS, MYOSITIS, ARTHRITIS

• Tendinitis is inflammation of tendon.

• Tenosynovitis is inflammation of tendon

sheath.

• Myositis is inflammation of muscles.

• Arthritis is a condition in which joint is inflamed

or abnormal.
 REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURIES

• Repetitive strain injuries are related to

cumulative trauma, repetitive movements which
involve forceful or vibratory component. These
may lead to pain and acute or chronic
inflammation of tendon, muscle, or nerve.

• Cumulative trauma may involve the extremity

(hands, wrist, elbow, or shoulder), or trunk (low
back strain).
 CAUSES OF MUSCULOSKELETAL
DISORDERS
• Human body is a mechanical system, it obeys physical
laws. Human body like any mechanical system is able to
withstand a limited range of physical stresses which can
be imposed in the body internally and externally.

• Postural stress is the mechanical load on the body by

virtue of its posture. Posture is the average orientation of
the body parts with respect to each other over a time.

• Ergonomics uses the principles of anatomy and

biomechanics to minimize postural stress.
 MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
– SYMPTOMS, PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

• Unexplained neck pain, backaches,

tiredness in the absence of other illnesses.

• Improve work design, avoid unnecessary

straining of muscles, introduce breaks
between work (i.e. ergonomic principles).

• For treatment see orthopedic specialists

 INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND VENTILATION
COMPLEXITY
1. Office building floor plans are frequently changing to
accommodate increasingly more employees and
reorganization.

2. Office buildings frequently undergo building renovations

such as installation of new carpet, modular office
partitions and free-standing offices, and painting.

3. Many of the health symptoms appearing are vague and

common both to the office and home environment.

4. Guidelines or standards for permissible personal

exposure limits to pollutants within office buildings are
very limited.
 INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND VENTILATION

• Many times odors are associated with chemical

contaminants from inside or outside the office
space, or from the building fabric.

• This is particularly noticeable following building

renovation or installation of new carpeting.

• Out-gassing from such things as paints,

adhesives, sealants, office furniture, carpeting,
and vinyl wall coverings is the source of a
variety of irritant compounds.
 VENTILATION SYSTEM

• In a modern office building, the heating ventilation and air

conditioning system (HVAC) is designed to keep occupants
comfortable and healthy.

• The system controls the amount of outside air that is added

to the building atmosphere, filtering both incoming and re-
circulated air to remove particulates and controlling the
temperature.

• A ventilation system consists of a blower to move the air,

ductwork to deliver air to the room, and vents to distribute the
air.

• Note: RSTD - 20 cubic feet of outside air per minute/per

person for an office environment.
 ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS

• A ventilation system should provide for a comfortable

environment with respect to humidity and temperature.

• The overall goal of climate control is to provide an

environment that is not too cold, hot, dry or humid, and
that is free from drafts and odors.

• Humidity refers to the amount of moisture in the air and

extremes in humidification levels can influence how
comfortable you may be.

• When the air is too humid, it makes people feel

uncomfortable (wet, clammy) and can promote mold
growth.
 ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS cont…

• On the other hand, low humidity conditions (which

typically occur in the winter months) dry out the nasal and
respiratory passages.

• Low humidity may be associated with an increased

susceptibility to upper respiratory infections.

• Excessively high or low temperatures in an office area can

also lead to symptoms in building occupants and reduce
productivity.

• High temperatures have been associated with fatigue,

lassitude, irritability, headache and decrease in
performance, coordination and alertness.
 H & S PROBLEMS DUE TO POOR IAQ

• Workers who may be less alert or fatigued from

a high temperature environment may be more
prone to accidents.

• If the environment is too cold, flexibility,

dexterity, and judgement may be impaired and
therefore accidents may increase.

• The activity level, age, and physiology of each

person affect the thermal comfort requirements
of that individual.
 INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
• Inadequately ventilated office environment or a poorly
designed ventilation system can lead to the build up of a
variety of indoor air pollutants.

• Air pollutants can originate within the building or be

drawn in from outdoors. pollen, dust and fungal spores;
general vehicle exhaust; odors from dumpsters; and re-
entrained exhaust from the building itself or from
neighboring buildings.

• Sources that originate from within the building include:

building components and furnishings; smoking;
maintenance or remodeling activities; housekeeping
activities; unsanitary conditions and water damage; and
emissions from office equipment or special use areas
(print shops, laboratories, or food preparation areas).
CONTROLLING INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

1. HVAC systems should receive periodic cleaning and filters should

be changed on a regular basis on all ventilation systems.

2. The ventilation system should introduce an adequate supply of fresh

outside air into the office and capture and vent point air pollutant
sources to the outside.

3. Office machinery should be operated in well-ventilated areas.

Photocopiers should be placed away from workers’ desks.

4. Office equipment should be cleaned/maintained according to the

manufacturer’s recommendations.

5. Special attention should be given to special operations that may

generate air contaminants (such as painting, pesticide spraying, and
heavy cleaning).
 LIGHTING
• Lighting is one of the most important factors affecting
personal comfort on the job.

• Office work is visually demanding and has always

required good lighting for maximum comfort and
productivity.

• The introduction of computers in the 1970's increased

the visual demands of office work and made lighting
design even more challenging. While typewriters were
being exchanged for computers, the need for
redesigning or rearranging office lighting was commonly
overlooked.

• "Good" lighting means providing enough illumination so

that people can see printed, handwritten or displayed
documents clearly but are not blinded by excessively
 LIGHTING cont…
• The best lighting system is one in which the light
level is geared to the task, where brightness ratios
are controlled (no intensely bright or dark areas in
one field of vision) and where ceilings, walls, and
floors are carefully chosen to minimize glare.

• Glare is defined as a harsh, uncomfortable bright

light that shines directly in the eyes.

• Glare may be either direct, coming from lights or

sunshine, or indirect, coming from a reflected
surface.
 THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINTS
RESULTING FROM POOR LIGHTING
• Eyestrain;

• eye irritation;

• blurred vision;

• dry burning eyes; and

• headaches.
 LIGHTING cont…
• Different tasks require different levels of lighting.

• Lighting needs vary from time to time and person to person as

well.

• Vision problems are one of the leading sources of complaints

among office workers.

• Poor office lighting can cause eye strain and irritation, fatigue,
double vision, watering and reddening of the eyelids, and a
decrease in the power of focus and visual acuity.

• Headaches as well as neck and back pains may occur as a result

of workers straining to see small or detailed items.

• Direct and reflected glare and shadows as well as delayed eye

adaption may prevent an employee from seeing tripping and
other similar hazards.
 MEASURES TO CONTROL POOR LIGHTING
1. Regular maintenance of the lighting system should be
carried out to clean or replace old bulbs and faulty lamp
circuits.
2. A light-colored matte finish on walls, ceilings, and floors
to reduce glare is recommended by the Illuminating
Engineering Society.
3. Whenever possible, office workers should not face
windows, unshielded lamps, or other sources of glare.
4. Adjustable shades should be used if workers face a
window.
5. Diffuse light will help reduce shadows. Indirect lighting
and task lighting are recommended, especially when
work spaces are separated by dividers.
6. Task lamps are very effective in supplementing general
office lighting for those who require or prefer additional
lighting. Some task lamps permit several light levels.
 OFFICE ELECTRICAL SAFETY
• Electricity is essential to the operations of a modern automated
office as a source of power.

• Electrical equipment used in an office is potentially hazardous and

can cause serious shock and burn injuries if improperly used or
maintained.

• Electricity travels through electrical conductors which may be in the

form of wires or parts of the human body.

• Most metals and moist skin offer very little resistance to the flow of
electrical current and can easily conduct electricity.

• Other substances such as dry wood, porcelain, or pottery offer a

high resistance and can be used to prevent the flow of electrical
current. If a part of the body comes in contact with the electrical
circuit, a shock will occur.
 OFFICE ELECTRICAL SAFETY cont…

• The electrical current will enter the body at one point and leave at
another.

• The passage of electricity through the body can cause great pain,
burns, destruction of tissue, nerves, and muscles and even death.

• Factors influencing the effects of electrical shock include the type of

current, voltage, resistance, amperage, pathway through body, and
the duration of contact.

• The longer the current flows through the body, the more serious the
injury. Injuries are less severe when the current does not pass
through or near nerve centers and vital organs.

• Electrical accidents usually occur as a result of faulty or defective

equipment, unsafe installation, or misuse of equipment on the part
of office workers.
 TYPES OF ELECTRICAL HAZARDS FOUND IN
AN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT
• Ungrounded equipment

• Overloaded outlets

• unsafe/non-approved equipment

• Defective, frayed or improperly installed cords

for electrically-operated office equipment

• Improper Placement of Cords

 TYPES OF ELECTRICAL HAZARDS FOUND IN
AN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT cont…
• Electrical Cords across Walkways and Work
Areas

• Live Parts Unguarded

• Pulling of Plugs to Shut Off Power

• Working on "Live Equipment“

• Blocking Electrical Panel Doors

 HOUSEKEEPING
• Good housekeeping is an important element of accident
prevention in offices.

• Poor housekeeping may lead to fires, injuries to

personnel, or unhealthful working conditions.

• Mishaps caused by dropping heavy cartons and other

related office equipment and supplies could also be a
source of serious injuries to personnel.

• Passageways in offices should be free and clear of

obstructions.

• Proper layout, spacing, and arrangement of equipment,

furniture, and machinery are essential.
 HOUSEKEEPING cont…
• All aisles within the office should be clearly
defined and kept free of obstructions.

• Chairs, files, bookcases and desks must be

replaced or repaired if they become damaged.

• Damaged chairs can be especially hazardous.

• Filing cabinet drawers should always be kept

closed when not in use. Heavy files should be
placed in the bottom file drawers.
 HOUSEKEEPING cont…

• Materials stored within supply rooms must be neatly

stacked and readily reached by adequate aisles. Care
should be taken to stack materials so they will not topple
over.

• Under no circumstances will materials be stacked within

18 inches of ceiling fire sprinkler heads or Halon nozzles.

• Materials shall not be stored so that they project into

aisles or passageways in a manner that could cause
persons to trip or could hinder
OFFICE FIRE PREVENTION STRATEGIES
• The best time to think about fire safety is
before a fire starts.

• Learn the location of fire escape routes and

how to activate the fire alarm. Participate in
practice fire drills on a regular basis.

• Become familiar with stairway exits -

elevators may not function during a fire, or
may expose passengers to heat, gas and
smoke.
 POTENTIAL SOURCES OF FIRE IN OFFICE
ENVIRONMENT
1. Heat-producing equipment - copiers, work processors,
coffee makers and hot plates - are often overlooked as a
potential fire hazard. Keep them away from anything that
might burn.

2. Electrical appliances can be fire hazards. Be sure to turn

off all appliances at the end of the day. Use only
grounded appliances plugged into grounded outlets
(three prong plug).

3. If electrical equipment malfunctions or gives off a strange

odor, disconnect it and call the appropriate maintenance
personnel..

4. Keep extension cords clear of doorways and other areas

where they can be stepped on or chafed and never plug
one extension cord into another.

5. Do not allow combustible material to build up in

inappropriate storage locations (near ignition sources).
 THE DOWNSIDE OF OPEN OFFICE IN CASE OF FIRE
• One result of open office environments is that smoke from office
fires is not contained or isolated as effectively as in less open
designs.

• Open office designs allows smoke to spread quickly and the

incorporation of many synthetic and other combustible material in
office fixtures (such as furniture, rugs, drapes, plastic wastebaskets,
and vinyl covered walls) often makes "smoky" fires.

• In addition to being smoky, many synthetic materials can emit toxic

materials during a fire. For example, cyanide can be emitted from
urethane which is commonly used in upholstery stuffing.

• Most burning materials can emit carbon monoxide. Inhalation of

these toxic materials can severely hamper an office worker’s
chances of getting out of a fire in time.

• This makes it imperative for office workers to recognize the signal to

evacuate their work area and know how to exit in an expedient
manner.
 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
• The local emergency action plan will address potential
emergencies that can be expected in your work area.

• For emergency evacuation, the use of floor plans or

workplace maps that clearly show the emergency
escape routes and safe or refuge areas should be
included in the plan.

• All employees must understand what actions they are to

take in the work area and assemble in a safe zone.

• All new employees should discuss how they should

respond to emergencies with their supervisors shortly
after starting work and whenever their responsibilities
under the plan change.
WHAT ORIENTATION SHOULD INCLUDE

• Identifying the individuals responsible for various aspects

of the plan (chain of command) so that in an emergency
confusion will be minimized and employees will have no
doubt about who has authority for making decisions.

• Identifying the method of communication that will be

used to alert employees that an evacuation or some
other action is required.

• Identifying the evacuation routes from the building and

locations where employees will gather.
 GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR FIRES AND
RELATED EMERGENCIES INCLUDES
• Notify the local Fire Department

• Activate the building alarm (fire pull station). If not available or

operational, verbally notify people in the building.

• Isolate the area by closing windows and doors and evacuate the
building, if you can do so safely.

• Shut down equipment in the immediate area, if possible.

• If possible and if you have received appropriate training, use a

portable fire extinguisher to:
-assist oneself to evacuate;
-assist another to evacuate; and
-control a small fire.

• Do not collect personal or official items; leave the area of the fire
immediately and walk, do not run to the exit and designated
gathering area.
 GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR FIRES AND
RELATED EMERGENCIES INCLUDES cont..
• You should provide the fire/police teams with the details of the
problem upon their arrival.

• Special hazard information you might know is essential for the

safety of the emergency responders.

• You should not re-enter the building until directed to do so. Follow
any special procedures established for your unit.

• If the fire alarms are ringing in your building, you must evacuate the
building and stay out until notified to return.

• Move to your designated meeting location or upwind from the

building staying clear of streets, driveways, sidewalks, and other
access ways to the building.
 GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR FIRES AND
RELATED EMERGENCIES INCLUDES cont…
• If you are a supervisor, try to account for your employees, keep
them together and report any missing persons to the emergency
personnel at the scene.

• If an individual is overexposed to smoke or chemical vapors,

remove the person to an uncontaminated area and treat for shock.

• Do not enter the area if you suspect that a life threatening condition
still exists (such as heavy smoke or toxic gases).

• If your or another person’s clothing catches fire, extinguish the

burning clothing by using the drop-and-roll technique, wrap victim in
a fire blanket or douse victim with cold water (use an emergency
shower if it is immediately available).

• Carefully remove contaminated clothing; however, avoid further

damage to the burned area. Cover injured person to prevent shock.

• Get medical attention promptly.

 EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS
• Emergency Action Plans are designed to control events
and minimize the affects.

• Through careful pre-planning, establishment of

Emergency Action Teams, training and drills, employees
can be safeguarded and potential for damage to
Company assets minimized.

• Emergency Action Plans include:

- Exits routes, meeting areas and employee accounting
- Emergency evacuation, incident command and notification to
emergency services
- Personal injury and property damage
- Protection of Company information, both hard copy and
electronic media
- Bomb threats and facility security
- First Aid Response
- Use of fire extinguishers
 VIOLANCE AT WORK
• Violence is rapidly becoming an everyday reality for
many workers, including bank personnel.

• Many remedies exist, including security measures,

surveillance, organizational solutions and the training of
staff in how best to diffuse potentially violent situations.

• In most cases, these remedies are extremely cost-

effective in terms of reduced medical and personnel
costs and improved performance.

• But remedies can only be applied effectively once the

problem has been acknowledged and brought out into
the open.
 THE PROBLEM OF VIOLENCE AT WORK?
• The workplace in general has traditionally been
viewed as a relatively violence-free environment.

• But a series of recent tragedies, and particularly

the armed robberies in the commercial banks
have drawn our attention on violence at work as
a significant problem.

• Violence at work is not just an episodic,

individual problem, but a structural, strategic
issue rooted in wider social economic,
organizational and cultural factors.
 GLOBAL TRENDS
• Workplace violence has been identified as the most
important security threat.

• In the United States for example, official statistics show

that homicide has become the second leading cause of
occupational death overall, and the first cause for
women.

• In South Africa, workplace hostilities are reported to be

abnormally high, with some surveys indicating that as
many as four out of five workers have experienced
hostile behaviour at the workplace during their working
life.

• In the United Kingdom, a survey found that over 11,000

retail staff had been the victims of physical violence and
over 350,000 had been subject to threats and verbal
abuse (British Retail Consortium, 1995).
 GLOBAL TRENDS cont…
• In Germany, an extensive national survey found that 93
per cent of the women questioned had been sexually
harassed at the workplace during the course of their
occupational life.

• Cases of sexual harassment were not an exceptional

phenomenon in the working life of those women, some
of whom reported multiple harassment, including the
threat of professional disadvantage for failing to grant
sexual favours.

• Another very important source of information concerning

the magnitude of the problem of violence at work is the
International Crime Victim Survey (ICVS), a multinational
comparative research exercise which has so far involved
more than 50 countries in all regions.
 FORMS THAT VIOLENCE AT WORK TAKE

• The range of behaviour which may be included under the

general heading of violence at work is very broad.

• What constitutes acceptable behaviour is often vague

and cultural attitudes to what amounts to violence are so
diverse that it is a very complex matter to define violence
at work.

• In practice, violence at the workplace may take the form

of a wide variety of types of often overlapping behaviour,
including non-physical or psychological violence.

• Violence may also consist of repeated actions which, by

themselves may be relatively minor, but which can
cumulatively come to constitute serious forms of violence
such as sexual harassment, bullying or mobbing.
 SECTORS AND OCCUPATIONS MOST
AFFECTED BY VIOLENCE AT WORK
• While no occupation is immune, violence at work tends
to be more of a risk in certain occupations than in others.

• Handling money or valuables (cashiers, transport

workers, bank and post office staff, shop assistants).

• Providing care, advice, education and training (nurses,

ambulance staff, social workers, teachers).

• Carrying out inspection or enforcement duties (police

and traffic wardens, ticket inspectors).

• Working with mentally disturbed, drunk or potentially

violent people (prison officers, bar staff, mental health
workers).
 SECTORS AND OCCUPATIONS MOST
AFFECTED BY VIOLENCE AT WORK
• Working alone (control room operators, home visitors,
taxi drivers, domestic workers, repair workers).

• Automation, subcontracting, teleworking, networking and

self-employment are leading to a rise in the numbers of
people working alone.

• Working alone is not automatically more dangerous than

other employment, but in some situations it involves a
higher than average risk of violence.

• For example, lone workers in small shops, gas stations

and kiosks are often seen as easy targets by
aggressors.

• Taxi drivers are at the greatest risk of violence in many

SEX, AGE AND PRECARIOUS EMPLOYMENT
AS RISK FACTORS
• Sex, age and precarious employment appear to increase
a workers’ risk of suffering violent treatment at the
workplace.

• Several surveys appear to confirm the vulnerability of

younger workers to violent victimization at the workplace.

• Previous experience enables employees to react more

wisely and behave with more self-confidence than
inexperienced staff.

• A young woman with a precarious job in the hotel is likely

to be many times more exposed to the risk of sexual
harassment than average.
 WOMEN AT SPECIAL RISK
• Women are at particular risk of violence, both inside and
outside the workplace.

• Women are concentrated in many of the high-risk

occupations, particularly as teachers, social workers,
nurses and other health-care workers, as well as in
banks and shops.

• Segregation of women in low-paid and low status jobs,

while men predominate in better-paid, higher status jobs
and supervisory positions, also contributes to the
problem.

• Nevertheless, men tend to be at greater risk of physical

assault, while women are vulnerable to incidents of a
sexual nature.
 THE COST OF VIOLENCE AT WORK
• Violence at work not only has an immediate effect on the
victim, but also affects other people directly or indirectly,
as well as the enterprise and the community.

• It is only recently that experts have started to try and

quantify the multiple and massive costs of workplace
violence.

• Violence causes immediate, and often long-term

disruption to interpersonal relationships, the organization
of work and the overall working environment.

• Employers bear the direct cost of lost work and improved

security measures.

• Likely to bear the indirect costs of reduced efficiency and

productivity, the deterioration of product quality, loss in
company image and a reduction in the number of
 CAUSES OF VIOLENCE
• Recognition and understanding of the variety and
complexity of the factors that contribute to violence at
work is a vital precursor to any effective prevention and
control programmes.

• The risk of violence depends on the interaction of a

range of factors:
- child development and the influence of the family
- cultural factors
- personality factors
- substance abuse
- biological factors
- mental illness
- media influence
- peers and schooling