The basic rule of good office housekeeping is that individuals are responsible for themselves and responsible to their co-workers. The National Safety Council lists slips, trips and falls as the most common cause of injuries in the office. In fact, office workers are twice as likely to be injured in a fall as workers outside the office environment.
Falls happen so suddenly many people are unable to react in time to prevent serious injuries.
But with proper housekeeping, office workers can reduce the risk to themselves and their co-workers. Report defective flooring. Worn spots in carpets, chipped tiles and uneven raised flooring are trip hazards. If you see broken or missing floor tiles, or worn carpet and stair treads, you should contact building management. Pick up dropped pencils, paper clips and rubber bands.