Although industrial workplaces may have more incidents of serious injury, those operating businesses in normal office environments must also concern themselves with the safety and well-being of their employees. The following lists some of the items all offices should have on hand for emergencies.

1. First Aid Kit. No office is complete without a basic first aid kit. Employers should store an adequate number of first aid kits, based on the number of employees, in prominent locations throughout the office. At a minimum, each kit should contain bandages, antibiotic ointment, hot and cold packs, burn cream, rubbing alcohol, over-the-counter pain relievers, throat lozenges, and tweezers.

2. Fire Safety Items. Local ordinances and fire codes will often dictate the extent to which an employer must outfit an office with fire safety items. For example, most jurisdictions require business owners to have an ample number of fire extinguishers on hand. You may also need to install a sprinkler system and smoke alarms. Your fire safety plan should include who is responsible for using portable fire extinguishers and document they have received adequate training.

3. Natural Disaster Package. Although employers may have advance warning of impending powerful storms, some natural disasters appear with no notice. Therefore, you should always be prepared for the wrath of nature. Keep plenty of batteries stocked away, and make sure to have a battery-operated radio on hand so you can keep abreast of local weather conditions if the power and/or cell reception goes out. Also, stock up on plenty of water and nonperishable food.

4. Safety Signs. Companies should display messages for employees to remind them about important safety issues. For example, employers must identify particularly dangerous areas and hazardous materials. They should also post information concerning emergency evacuation procedures. Your federal and state Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has required labor law posters that may include necessary safety information.

5. Alarm System. The safety of employees working late and the safety of your company’s sensitive records demand that most business owners equip their space with an alarm system. A huge variety of alarm systems are available on the market, and a prudent employer will customize a security system to match the needs of his or her business.

About The Guest Author:   Jay Acker has led several projects for Safety Services Company over the last few years. These have included creating guaranteed Labor Law Poster compliance subscriptions, industry specific safety compliance posters, and a broad range of safety training materials.

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