EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Workplace injury is a major cause of concern for all involved in occupational health and safety.
The factors which cause workplace accidents and occupational illnesses are called hazards. The need for systematic management of OHS hazards and their attendant risks applies to all organisations and all activities and functions within an organisation.
It is important to distinguish between hazard, risk and exposure when undertaking risk management.
Hazard is the potential for harm, or adverse effect on an employee’s health. Anything which may cause injury or ill health to anyone at or near a workplace is a hazard.
Risk is the likelihood that a hazard will cause injury or ill health to anyone at or near a workplace. The level of risk increases with the severity of the hazard and the duration and frequency of exposure.
The first and most important step in reducing the likelihood of an accident is hazard identification.
The second step is an assessment of the level of risk of the hazards you have identified. It is important you consider the extent of the harm or consequence from a hazard and the likelihood of harm occurring.There are three categories of control measures you might take. You can
• eliminate the hazard
• minimise the risk
• introduce ‘back-up’
The third step in effective risk management is to establish and maintain systems which give opportunity for regular evaluation and review procedures.
Risk management is an organisational issue and a successful program requires the commitment and cooperation of all. All program managers and their staff need to recognise the fundamental importance of occupational health and safety risk management for it to work. Best practice is embedding occupational health and safety risk management into daily usage at all levels of an organisation. Achieving best practice is how you can integrate risk management principles and practices into everyday business practice.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................2
INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................5
1. IDENTIFY THE HAZARD ....................................................................5
2. SYSTEMATIC RISK MANAGEMENT..................................................6

3. OFFICE ENVIRONMENT ....................................................................7

4. SAFETY IN THE OFFICE....................................................................8
5. CONTROL THE RISKS........................................................................9
6. CONCLUSION ...................................................................................11

7. RECOMMENDATION.........................................................................11

8. REFERENCES ..................................................................................12

9. APPENDIX.........................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
The modern office environment presents an array of potential hazards that can be avoided by taking simple precautions. This guide outlines minimum standards for the office environment, keyboard, equipment, rest breaks and basic occupational health and safety.
Although working in an office has always been considered relatively safe, office workers face occupational hazards that include eyestrain, overuse syndrome, headaches, trips and falls and manual handling injuries. The purpose of this report is to prevent and eliminate hazards from your workplace. The information may help you to understand the principles of risk management, and reduce accident in your workplace

1. IDENTIFY THE HAZARDS
Hazard identification
Hazard identification is identifying all situations or events that could cause injury or illness. Eliminating or minimising workplace hazards needs a systematic approach. It is essential to