Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH) Staying Safe During Your Office Move Office Safety...

Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

Staying Safe Staying Safe During Your Office MoveDuring Your Office Move

Office Safety Awareness TrainingOffice Safety Awareness Training

Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH) Slide 2

Safety is Our ValueSafety is Our Value

“We measure safety performance by the number of incidents.

But let’s be clear…

it’s really not about incident rates…it’s about people.

People who have faces, names, families, hopes, and dreams.”

-Riley BechtelAugust 15, 2001


Office Safety During Moving:Office Safety During Moving:Enabling Learning ObjectivesEnabling Learning Objectives

Planning a safe move

Your responsibilities

Identifying potential hazards

Packing and moving tips

Lifting and carrying tips

Injury prevention

Safety in your new space

Arranging your workstation


Plan Ahead!Plan Ahead!

Dispose of unwanted materials appropriately

Don't schedule any important deadlines near your move date and get all of your work done early

If you do a lot of mail correspondence with customers or clients, it's important to inform them prior to your move

Give clients your cell phone number if you're changing business phone lines

Move only items of use or value to the new facility; all equipment moved should be in good working order

You are not authorized to be in the space before the move is complete


Your ResponsibilitiesYour Responsibilities

Clean out storage and common areas

Organize office files for packing and transportation

Pack safely and with consideration for the people who will be moving the boxes you pack

Take valuables, breakables, sharps and personal plants home before the move; items you want in the new office can be brought back after the move

Know what you need to get up and running, then pack those things together and make them easily accessible

Slide 5


Office Move: Office Move: Potential HazardsPotential Hazards

Slip, trip, and fall hazards due to clutter from boxes, furniture, trolleys, etc.

Strain and overexertion from lifting, shifting, pushing, pulling, packing, unpacking, etc.

Obstruction of corridors, hallways, doorways, etc.

Toxic fumes from use of cleaning products

Dust Poor ergonomic set-up at new

work-station

Slide 6


Packing Your Office SpacePacking Your Office Space

Spring clean—do you really need to take it all with you?

Stage a recycling can for purged paper

Schedule enough time to pack over several days, avoid long packing sessions

Get adequate rest, fatigue induces injury

Identify items others will handle

Plan so pathways will be open

Obtain a stepladder for over shoulder reaching

Get a cart, if necessary, to position and move boxes

Slide 7


Moving Your Office SpaceMoving Your Office Space

Leave frequently used items until the end; mark those boxes with items needed immediately after the move

Label your boxes both for destination and for contents to aid unpacking

Pack from the top down and unpack from the bottom up to keep cabinets stabilized

If filled boxes would be too heavy, only partially fill boxes

Place packed boxes in a location that will minimize bending and twisting

Take breaks; mix packing with other activities

Slide 8


Avoid Inhalation HazardsAvoid Inhalation Hazards

Thoroughly inspect for dust, insects and mold contamination

Wear gloves if using cleaning agents; read all labels carefully, don't mix chemicals

Dust mites are invisible and are a fairly common allergen

– People who are allergic to dust mites may experience itchy, irritated eyes, runny nose, cough and in more severe cases, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing (asthma)

Wear clothes that can be machine washed; wash clothes after packing and before wearing again

Slide 9


Lifting and Carrying TipsLifting and Carrying Tips

Use appropriate lifting and bending techniques: tighten your abdominal muscles and bend at the hips, maintaining the natural curves in your back

Lift with your knees and not with your back

Turn with your feet to prevent twisting your body

Use proper carrying techniques: test item for reasonable weight, hold item close and waist high, keep view unobstructed by items

Slide 10


Prevent FallsPrevent Falls

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

Clean up spills immediately.

Report loose carpeting or damaged flooring to Security

Never carry anything that obscures your vision.

Wear stable shoes with non-slip soles

Slide 11


PleasePlease DO NOTDO NOT

Move furniture or heavy boxes/items

Move materials that don’t belong at the new location (e.g., materials that should be recycled or archived)

Stand on a chair/furniture to retrieve items stored at heights

Push boxes with your feet or pull them across the floor

Work from a ladder alone (use 2 people)

Use a hand truck or wheeled cart to move items unless you have your supervisor’s permission

Stack loaded boxes/crates more than 3 high

Slide 12


Safety First in Your New SpaceSafety First in Your New Space

Review emergency response and emergency exit plans

Learn the security rules (e.g. site control and access)

Identify at least two exits

Look for potential hazards

Ask how to report illness or injury

Identify your Bechtel Emergency Response Team (BERT) members and Floor Searchers

Locate fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull boxes, and nearest AED


Setting up Safely in Your New Setting up Safely in Your New SpaceSpace

Spread unpacking over several days

Prioritize essential start-up items: computers working, network requirements, mail/phone, etc.

Confirm all furniture and equipment in your workstation are installed correctly– There must be an 18” clearance

between the top of the cabinet to the ceiling to ensure the sprinkler system can work efficiently without hindrance

Ensure your work area is free of potential slip/trip/fall hazards (e.g. boxes in walkways, uprooted carpet, electrical cords)

Design your work area with ergonomics in mind to help prevent repetitive-motion injuries


Arranging Your Workstation to Fit Arranging Your Workstation to Fit YouYou

Adjust the chair seat height so your thighs are horizontal while feet are flat on the floor A footrest may be necessary if you cannot

rest your feet comfortably on the floor

Adjust the seat pan depth so 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 it supports/fits the curvature of your lower back

With arms at your sides and the elbow joint approximately 90 degrees, adjust the height/position of the chair armrests to support your forearms

Slide 15


Arranging Your Workstation to Fit Arranging Your Workstation to Fit You You (continued)(continued)

Adjust the height of the keyboard so your fingers rest on the keyboard home row when the arm is to the side, elbow at 90 degrees, wrists straight

Place the mouse next to the keyboard tray; keep wrist in neutral position with the arm and hand close to the body

Move the monitor away from sources of glare or direct light; use an anti-glare filter on the screen, adjust blinds

Adjust the monitor height so 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

Slide 16


Apply Safe Work PracticesApply Safe Work Practices

Avoid cradling the telephone between the head and shoulder; use a headset

Keep frequently used items like the telephone, reference materials, and pens/pencils within easy reach

Move between different postures and stretch regularly

Use the minimum force necessary to strike the keyboard, or to activate the hole punch and staple

Take mini-breaks and vary tasks to rest the eyes and muscles

Don't lean back in your chair, keep both legs on the floor

Slide 17


Flex N StretchFlex N Stretch

Stretching is a simple and effective activity that will help you enhance your work performance, decrease your likelihood of a work-related injury and minimize muscle soreness.

Stretching increases the length of both your muscles and tendons (which improves range-of-motion) and brings oxygen to your brain and muscles.

Just stretch far enough until you feel some resistance and stop – do not overexert yourself. If at anytime you feel discomfort or pain, you need to STOP.

Stretch with your team at the start of the day, and make it a habit to start team meetings with simple stretches.

Slide 18


Test Your LearningTest Your Learning

1. What are your responsibilities in ensuring a safe move?

2. What are three examples of potential hazards that may be encountered while moving?

3. What is the proper way to lift an object?

4. What should you do to ensure safety first when you move into your new space?

5. What is a simple and effective activity that will help you enhance your work performance, decrease your likelihood of a work-related injury and minimize muscle soreness?


We value yourWe value your Safety Safety and and HealthHealth

Questions?Questions?Report near-misses

and injuries to Security immediately


Learn More about Learn More about Office SafetyOffice Safety

Bechtel Core Process 110: Manual Material Handling (BecWeb)

Bechtel Core Process 231: Office Facilities (BecWeb)

National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH.org)

National Safety Council (NSC.org)

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA.gov)

Safetycare Office Safety Training Video available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcg53bRktCg

Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH) Staying Safe During Your Office Move Office Safety...

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