| Item |
Hazard/s |
Solutions |
Storage Principles |
- Large or heavy files or other items stored above shoulder height in the filing cabinet may result in muscular strain injuries or injuries to the head.
- Frequently accessed files or other items stored below knee height or above shoulder height in the filing cabinet.
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- Large or heavy items should be stored at easily accessible heights, between shoulder and knee height, to minimise the physical demands of handling.
- Smaller, lightweight and infrequently used items may be stored in the lower or higher areas of the filing cabinet.
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Stability |
- Filing cabinet may tip over if the top drawer is open and the cabinet is not restrained.
- Filing cabinet drawers may slide open if it is not standing level and is not locked shut.
- Filing cabinet may tip over because heaviest files or other contents are placed in the top drawer, whilst lower drawers contain lighter contents or are fairly empty.
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- If possible place the back of the filing cabinet against the wall. This will minimise the risk of it tipping forwards.
- Check to ensure that all filing cabinets are standing level. Wedges and a spirit may be required to achieve a level position.
- Check filing cabinets to ensure that the drawers will not slide open when the cabinet is locked.
- Check the weights of filing cabinet contents and re-distribute accordingly.
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Overfilling |
- Muscle strain injuries may be caused by using excessive force to remove or insert files from tightly packed drawers. This is particularly the case with drawers above waist height.
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- Regularly review the contents of filing cabinets and relocate infrequently used files to archive storage or a central filing system.
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Obstructions |
- Open filing cabinet drawers may cause obstructions of office traffic areas.
- Office equipment or storage that limits access to filing cabinet drawers may result in muscle strain type injuries due to excessive twisting and bending required to access drawers.
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- Re-locate filing cabinets with sliding drawers that open into passage ways away into less frequently used area.
- Ensure that filing cabinets are kept clear of obstructions.
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