OSHA Office Safety Checklist

The checklist organises the audit into five sections: Office Safety Audit, General Inspection, Electrical Systems, Material Storage, and Recommendations & Summary. It contains 53 items in total, most of which are answered Yes, No, or N/A. The final section captures the number of deficiencies found, an overall compliance rating, detailed recommendations and corrective actions, the name of the safety manager or supervisor notified, a signature, and completion times.

Electrical faults are a common source of office fires and shocks, so the checklist treats them in detail. It asks whether wiring and cable connections are intact and free from exposed conductors, whether outlets and power strips are overloaded or daisy-chained, and whether permanent fixed wiring is used instead of extension cords wherever practicable. It checks clearance around electrical panels and circuit breakers, whether high-voltage rooms are locked, whether cables are routed clear of sharp edges and pinch points, and whether cords are grounded, undamaged, and fitted with strain relief. It also covers certification of appliances by a recognised testing laboratory, fan guard openings, and portable space heaters with tip-over protection.

Manual handling and workstation setup affect most office workers every day. The checklist asks whether employees have been trained in proper lifting techniques, whether workstations are arranged to reduce repetitive strain and postural discomfort, whether chairs allow feet to rest flat with thighs roughly parallel to the ground, and whether monitors sit at or slightly below eye level with the keyboard near elbow height. It also asks whether lifting aids such as hoists, carts, dollies, and hand trucks are available when needed, and whether employees are surveyed at least annually about ergonomic concerns.

Escalation is built into the process. Findings are documented during the visual inspection, including photographic evidence of deficiencies such as electrical equipment concerns. The summary section records the number of hazards identified, an overall compliance rating, and detailed recommendations and corrective actions, and it asks for the name of the safety manager or supervisor notified. The intent is that findings reach someone with the authority to act before minor issues develop into more serious ones.