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Health and Safety in the Workplace: Top Tips for a Safe Office Environment from Furniture At Work®

Health and safety is a primary consideration when designing any office space, whether it’s a simple home office or a workplace with multiple employees interacting on a daily basis.

Photo By: Pexels

Many of us spend most of our weekdays sitting at a desk, which means it is essential to take steps to ensure we minimise the health risks of sitting. There are also spatial, lighting and risk management considerations, along with a whole host of other things to think about. Furniture At Work has an extensive catalogue of office furniture to suit any space and meet all of your health and safety needs.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the word used when talking about how to make a workspace safe and comfortable. An ergonomically designed workspace minimises physical health risks to the employee and takes care of long-term wellbeing. Ergonomic office chairs are designed to support the lumbar region and provide comfortable seating even when sitting for extended periods of time. Ergonomics also account for factors such as screen height, keyboard alignment and prevention of screen glare, and any other factor that could pose a potential health risk. Many studies have shown that sitting for prolonged periods of time is detrimental to health. A properly designed ergonomic workstation minimises this risk. However, it is also important to allow employees to take regular breaks from sitting, or to allow yourself to take regular breaks when working from home.

Lighting

A poorly-lit workstation can quickly cause eye strain and result in poorly-maintained health. Lack of access to natural light can also have a strong impact on mental wellbeing. Providing a well-lit workstation is therefore essential for both mental and physical health. Natural light is best, so having large windows wherever possible will help to keep people feeling happy and healthy. Where natural light is not possible, a well-thought out lighting system that ensures nobody is straining their eyes is vital. Providing options such as the ability to reduce or increase brightness levels and adding desk lamps and floor lamps to each workstation will ensure that each employee can create the light they require.

Temperature

A comfortable temperature is another key ingredient in the recipe for a happy workforce. There are no legal restrictions for temperature in the workplace but keeping things too hot or too cold reduces productivity and results in unhappy and uncomfortable staff. Around 16 degrees Celsius or just slightly higher is recommended as the optimal indoor temperature.

Clearing Obstructions

One of the main causes of workplace accidents is obstructed walkways causing employees to trip and fall. Maintaining an office that is free from trip hazards takes only a little effort. Evaluate walkways and other areas where employees move around or congregate. Pay attention to loose wires, floor panels and any item that could obstruct passage. Wet or slippery surfaces can also be dangerous, so any spills or areas that are being cleaned should be clearly signposted and dried as soon as possible.

Electrical Appliances

All electrical appliances and outlets in any office environment should be regularly checked and maintained to prevent avoidable accidents from occurring. Sockets should not be overloaded and equipment and lights should be switched off when not in use.

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Science-Backed Ways to Create a Productive Office Space

When creating the ideal office space, every company strives for a suitable office environment that offers comfort, while also being a productive space where employees enjoy spending time and work well within. There are various elements involved in creating the perfect office space. Below offers a rundown of just some of the science-backed ways to change your office space instantly for more productive results.


Photo: Wright-Ryan Homes

Good Lighting

We are all familiar with the importance of lighting in an office, particularly for workers who are constantly looking at screens all day. When first working out the layout of an office, or even before you have hired an office space, do consider how much natural light the office provides. Research has found that workplaces with good daylight had a 30%-40% gain in productivity and sales. This shouldn’t be the only contributing factor to your final decision, but natural light can do wonders for the general aesthetic and atmosphere of an office. Natural light sets our body clock, so aiding this process as much as possible through simply considering windows in the design or layout is a great place to start. The environment for workers will be more open and bright because nobody likes to work in dark environments with minimal natural light. It can also potentially save on energy bills too!


Photo: Court Atkins Group

Aesthetics

Aesthetics of an office are essential to get right, as being comfortable and relaxed will have a significant effect on your employees’ work ethic, focus, and output. After all, your employees will be spending a lot of time in the office, so ensuring your company provides a comfortable, welcoming setting where they enjoy spending time is vital. In the same way that having a clean and tidy house can benefit a person’s mental focus while at home, providing a pleasant work environment will naturally help create a highly productive office, full of happy workers. Functionality, layout, and design all play their part in curating an ideal office space, and you can easily make sure you’re on the right track by checking out 360degrees.uk.com to get you inspired.


Photo: CM Natural Designs

Airflow

Airflow in an office is another factor that can easily be overlooked in the day-to-day office environment. Having airflow is essential to avoid a stuffy office, which can send employees into a sleepy stupor. Airflow can help to brighten an office and freshen the air supply throughout the day, creating an ideal working environment where workers feel comfortable and at ease. After all, you are always least productive when you have unavoidable distractions, as would be created from an unpleasant working space with stagnant air. A fun and easy additional fix could be to add air-purifying plants to your office space, which will add to your overall aesthetic, too.


Photo: Best & Company

Multi-function spaces

Another idea that can help a company create a productive office space is by considering multi-functioning spaces. Allow for private offices, meeting rooms and separate booths, so regardless of the type of work carried out or space needed, you can ensure your office can offer it. It also involves having the latest tech for your employees so that they can effectively do their job. Presentation spaces and areas for workers to separate themselves from work and take a break should also be considered and will help add to your general aesthetic, which will appeal to potential workers, clients, and customers. A company’s success is only as good as their employees’ output, so ensure your staff has everything in place to carry out their job properly, and you will soon see the benefits.

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5 Office Design Trends That Help Boost Productivity

Are you redecorating your office space at home or at your workplace? Here are some ingenious office decorating trends that could help you work and feel better!


Photo: The Every Girl

Modern office spaces are nothing like the cold, alienating workspaces we see in vintage movies. In many ways, we have young entrepreneurs and designers to thank for the office design switching from discouraging fun to using it as one of the main sparks of creativity and productivity. Modern offices are all about open, inviting layouts and mobility. Long gone are the cubicles, with more and more companies opting in for an open floor plan.

If you think workers having fun can be counterproductive, you are sorely mistaken. New designs have proven to boost productivity and make work less of a chore and more of a place to be. In this article, we’ll share some of the most inspiring modern office design trends that are sure to increase productivity and motivate your employees to come to work with a smile every day.

Freeform Lounge Zones

You should create lounge zones to help employees relax better while on their break. Your employees should be able to use the space to chat, read the latest news or just rest their eyes. Your lounge area should invite workers to rest when they need to, not create the opposite effect and chase them away.

The message here is that taking breaks during work is not a bad thing. Sometimes, employees need breaks to recharge their batteries after hours of staring at a screen. While it might seem counterproductive, encouraging breaks has proven to increase productivity. A good employer knows that working longer doesn’t necessarily mean working better.


Photo: Hardenburg Designs

Flexible Furniture

Workers are generally more productive in flexible working conditions like flexible working hours and the ability to work from home. But flexibility does not need to stop there. Flexible furniture like modular pieces or adjustable sit-stand desks are bound to increase productivity. The number of combinations are only limited by your imagination. You could also add mobile walls, so workers can have privacy when they feel like it quickly and easily.

Use the Right Colors

It is a well-known fact that colors can boost productivity at the workplace. But you have to know which colors to use and where. For example, blue is generally considered as a productivity booster that helps employees concentrate. It is therefore a great color to paint your office walls and use to accentuate desks. On the other hand, green does not tire the eyes and is therefore a great way to create your dream office space. Yellow can help boost creativity and is great for a designer’s office while red stimulates blood flow and invokes emotion and is therefore a great color to draw the eye to something important in the office.


Photo: Lady and the Blog

Create Shared Workstations

Some people prefer to work alone, while others thrive in groups. That’s why you should give everyone the opportunity to work in an environment that fits them. To that end, consider adding shared workstations for teams that work better together. This should be an area where teams can brainstorm or work together away from their own workstations. Creating shared workstations is also a great way to free up space in your home, and create one office space for everyone.

Add More Plant Life

Plants are also one decorating detail more and more modern offices are adding to their décor. And for a good reason. Plants have been proven to increase productivity by a staggering 12 percent according to a study conducted by the Washington State University. But even without this handy boost, plants are a mandatory addition to every office as they breathe in a breath of fresh air and liven up a room.

If you’re looking for functional and stylish office furniture contact Shore Office Warehouse at 9530 Cabot Dr, San Diego, CA 92126; 858-271-8645