Prevention and Protective Measures for Safety in an Office

355 risks attached to them. It is a proactive strategy aimed at tackling every health and safety risk at the workplace. Information obtained from this exercise will help in taking preventive measures. c)
Hazard Elimination: This may require use of alternatives, design improvement, change of process, etc. db Substitutionb: For example, replacement of hazardous equipment with a less dangerous one. e)
Use of Barriers Removal of dangerous equipment from workers or workers from dangerous equipment. f)
Use of Procedure Putting in place a step-by-step procedure to carrying out an operation g)
Use of Warning System Such as instructions, signs, labels. However, these depend on human response. h)
Use of Protective Equipment Such as clothing, gloves, etc. i) Commitment of workers to adherence to safety procedures and use of safety equipment. No matter how safety conscious an organization is, if workers refuse to comply with safety rules, injury or death at workplace may occur. j) Hazards can be prevented by designing and installing safety equipment and protective devices. k) Periodic inspections and checks to eliminate risks. l) Investigating accidents as they occur and taking corrective actions. m) Continuous programme of education and training on safe work habits and methods of preventing accidents. n) Designation of Safety and Health Officer- this officer shall be the health and safety champion in the organisation.
Summary
In this chapter, two major concepts were discussed, namely i) Office practice and procedure and ii) Health and safety. An office is defined as a place in an organisation where business, clerical and professional activities take place. We noted that an office among other functions provides a convenient place where managers carryout their functions, collect information from within the organisation and record information. We also looked at the various forms of office layout - closed and opened plan. Factors to be considered in planning an office layout were also explained. These factors include churn rate, statutory requirements, business needs, accommodation standard and available space. Office equipment and furniture such as facsimile were also mentioned. We discussed organisation and method. We also defined forms, control of forms and factors to be considered in their design. The chapter also discussed the application of ICT in management Also, the chapter discussed the importance of health and safety at the workplace. It was stated

356 that health and safety are important to organizations and workers. We also explained various legislations and regulations governing health and safety issues at the workplace. In Nigeria, the Factory Act of 1990 and Workmen’s Compensation Act of 1990 as well as the common laws are part of the laws governing health and safety. In Ghana, the Factory, Offices and Shops Act, 1970, common law and Labour Act of 2003 regulate issues of occupational health and safety. Sources of danger to health and safety at the workplace were also discussed. Among other measures, the design of safety policy will set the pace for organizational commitment to health and safety at the workplace. The chapter concluded with a sources of danger to health and safety as well as the preventive measures to ensure health and safety in the workplace.

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