Office Safety, Health and Welfare
Office safety, health and welfare cover hazard prevention, ergonomics, fire safety, first aid and statutory welfare. The exam tests hazard identification, control measures and basic Factories Act duties.
Hazards and prevention
- Slips and trips: housekeeping, cable covers, spill control.
- Electrical: earthing, insulation, no overloading, lockout before repair.
- Fire: correct extinguisher, clear exits, drills, no blocked stairways.
- Ergonomics: adjustable chair, screen at eye level, 20-20-20 breaks.
- Chemicals: labels, ventilation, gloves and eye protection.
Health and welfare
- Factories Act, 1948: cleanliness, ventilation, lighting, drinking water, latrines, first aid and machine safety.
- Welfare: restrooms, canteen, crèche above prescribed thresholds, health checks and insurance.
- POSH Act, 2013 requires an internal committee and prevention of harassment.
Worked example
Staff in a printer room report headaches and a solvent smell. Reasoning: likely volatile organic compounds with poor ventilation. Isolate the printer, vent fumes outside, switch to low-emission supplies, provide PPE and arrange health monitoring. Merely opening a window may not control exposure.
Traps that cost marks
- Using water on an electrical fire.
- Assuming one extinguisher suits all fires.
- Treating safety as machine guards only.
- Ignoring ergonomic and chemical hazards in offices.