It is easy to see how jobs involving strenuous physical labor or heavy machinery can be dangerous for workers, subjecting them to the possibility of sustaining a workplace injury. But even if you work an office job in Lawnside, you could still be exposed to workplace hazards that could easily lead to injuries.
Common workplace hazards in the office
There are numerous ways your office could present hazards that lead to workplace injuries. For example, if the carpeting in the office is bumpy or torn up, you could trip on it and fall, breaking a bone or sustaining a head injury.
Similarly, if there is clutter on the floor such as empty boxes or file folders, it can be easy to trip over them and suffer fall injuries.
Also, computer cords and telephone cords should be secured and out of the way of walkways. If not, it is easy to be tripped up by them, leading to a fall.
If you work in an office, it is likely that you are working behind a computer most of the day. This can lead to eyestrain and ergonomic injuries. For example, sitting in an unsupportive chair all day can lead to back injuries. Similarly, typing at a traditional keyboard all day can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
One workplace hazard in the office that may go unnoticed at first is poor air quality. Inadequate ventilation, crowded offices and poorly designed cubicles that inhibit air flow can easily contaminate the indoor air in the office, leading to allergies and asthma.
Workers’ compensation in New Jersey
If you are injured at your office job in New Jersey, you may be able to seek workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits are in place to help injured workers out financially when their injury prevents them from working or earning their normal wages. Depending on the circumstances, you can seek compensation for medical expenses and lost wages.
You may think that an office is a safe place to work, but this is not always the case. Office workers who are injured on the job are entitled to seek workers’ compensation benefits just like those who work in factories, warehouses or at construction sites.