Workforce Safety

Office Inspection Checklist

Office Inspection

• Are the floors always clean of litter and/or spilled liquid?

• Are floor surfaces chipped and uneven: does carpeting show worn spots or holes?

• Are aisles and walkways free of boxes, wastebaskets, chairs, and other obstacles that impede traffic?

• Are electric and telephone cords placed where they might trip others?

• Do electrical cords look frayed? Are they draped over hot pipes, bent around hooks or sharp edges, or are they stepped on? 

• Are poorly made or flimsy extension cords in use?

• Are all appliances connected with three-pronged plugs?

• Are electric outlet boxes or bonnets on the floor exposed so that they pose a tripping hazard?

• Are employees allowed to stand on chairs, desks, boxes, drawers, or other improvised ladders?

• Is the paper cutter placed in a safe location where there is enough safe room to work? 

• Are employees still using spike files or pencil holders with pencil points up?

• Is the machinery turned off when not in use? Do employees wear dangling jewelry or floppy clothing around moving machinery (rotating machines, shredders)?

• Are razor blades or pins mixed in with paper clips?

• Are employees allowed to lean way back in chairs, with feet up on the desk?

• Do employees put tops on cups of coffee or other liquids while carrying them through the office (to avoid spills)? 

• Do employees run in the office?

• Are scissors properly stored: do they have rounded points?

• Are stair handrails, treads, and risers in good condition and stairs well lighted?

• Are stairs free of litter, paper clips, scraps, and spills?

• Are desk or file drawers left open?

• Are files, lockers, cabinets, and bookcases bolted securely? 

• Is more than one file drawer usually opened at once? 

• Are files top-heavy, with empty drawers at the bottom and full drawers on top?

• Are boxes, papers, and books stored on top of files, storage cabinets, or windowsills?

• Are transparent glass doors marked so they can be seen? 

• Are floors painted or marked under the swing of solid doors to indicate the striking radius?

• Must employees step up or down while going through a doorway? If so, is a warning sign posted and steps painted a caution color?

• Do self-closing doors have too much spring tension? 

• Are fire exits clearly marked and free of obstructions? 

• Are fire extinguishers locations marked (usually at ceiling height on the wall) so they are visible from a distance? 

• Have fire extinguishers been inspected recently?

• Are both A and B-C extinguishers readily available where necessary?

• Do all employees know the location of exits, alarms, and extinguishers?
  

• Are nonflammable fluids used whenever possible? 

• Are flammable fluids properly stored in safety cans and approved safety cabinets? 

• Are emergency numbers posted for police, fire department, and ambulance?

• Are fire drills conducted frequently, (semi-annually)? 

• Are combustibles stored near machinery or heat sources? 

• Are sprinklers, fire detectors, and hoses clean and in good working order? 

• Are doors to enclosed stairwells kept closed at all times? 

• Are all accidents promptly reported? 

• Are adequate first-aid supplies on hand?

• Are company parking lots well lit, clearly marked and generally free of tripping hazards? 

• Are elevators properly maintained and periodically inspected according to government standards? 

• Is there a plan to assist people who may be trapped in an elevator? (including how to safely remove them, whom to call, how to prevent panic?)

• Are all elevator landings posted “Do not use elevator during an emergency or fire”? 

• Is smoking forbidden in elevators? Are elevators posted with “No Smoking” signs?