YOU AND OFFICE SAFETY

Year Published: 1968

Creator: holland-wegman-productions-niagara-frontier-services

Description: "You and Office Safety" was produced by Holland-Wegman Productions, a division of Niagara Frontier Services in 1968 and released by Xerox Films This film uses a series of humorous, exaggerated vignettes to illustrate common, seemingly trivial office hazards and the serious consequences that can arise from carelessness. It emphasizes that accidents are not planned but occur due to a lack of awareness of potential dangers in everyday actions. The film advocates for "common sense thinking" and proactive measures, such as reading labels, using handrails, picking up dropped items, and reporting hazards, to prevent injuries and even fatalities in the workplace. 0:00 The film opens by ironically suggesting that simply coming to work and performing routine actions like opening a door doesn't seem like it would lead to an accident. 0:53 It highlights that no one plans an accident, often showing minor actions leading to comedic yet impactful mishaps. 1:14 The film presents everyday office items like doors, felt markers, umbrellas, and filing cabinets as potential hazards when not handled with care. 3:15 The importance of proper lifting techniques is briefly, yet humorously, demonstrated. 3:45 Chairs are shown as seemingly harmless items that can cause accidents due to their rolling, swiveling, and tilting capabilities. 4:16 Even a seemingly innocuous pencil is presented as a potential cause of an accident. 4:31 The film acknowledges that "accidents will happen" but stresses that office safety is often not taken seriously, despite its importance. 4:49 It defines office safety as "common sense thinking" and "one step ahead," considering the consequences of actions. 5:27 Simple safety acts are demonstrated, such as reading labels (e.g., fire extinguisher warnings) and using handrails. 5:56 The film shifts to a more serious tone, stating that office safety is not a joke, with thousands injured, crippled, and even killed annually in senseless accidents. 6:07 It notes that while offices are statistically safe, accidents do happen due to "empty-headed careless way." 6:24 The film urges viewers to understand that accidents occur when people don't realize their actions (or inaction) are hazardous, using a dropped pencil as an example of a "trivial thing" that can lead to accidents. 6:54 It suggests that accidents could be practically eliminated with a "little bit of extra effort," such as reading signs, picking up loose objects, reporting hazards, and avoiding "setting booby traps." 7:21 The core message is reinforced: a moment of time and good judgment is all it takes to prevent accidents. 7:48 The film concludes by recommending reading an office safety booklet as a starting point.

Complete Record: "You and Office Safety" was produced by Holland-Wegman Productions, a division of Niagara Frontier Services in 1968 and released by Xerox Films This film uses a series of humorous, exaggerated vignettes to illustrate common, seemingly trivial office hazards and the serious consequences that can arise from carelessness. It emphasizes that accidents are not planned but occur due to a lack of awareness of potential dangers in everyday actions. The film advocates for "common sense thinking" and proactive measures, such as reading labels, using handrails, picking up dropped items, and reporting hazards, to prevent injuries and even fatalities in the workplace. 0:00 The film opens by ironically suggesting that simply coming to work and performing routine actions like opening a door doesn't seem like it would lead to an accident. 0:53 It highlights that no one plans an accident, often showing minor actions leading to comedic yet impactful mishaps. 1:14 The film presents everyday office items like doors, felt markers, umbrellas, and filing cabinets as potential hazards when not handled with care. 3:15 The importance of proper lifting techniques is briefly, yet humorously, demonstrated. 3:45 Chairs are shown as seemingly harmless items that can cause accidents due to their rolling, swiveling, and tilting capabilities. 4:16 Even a seemingly innocuous pencil is presented as a potential cause of an accident. 4:31 The film acknowledges that "accidents will happen" but stresses that office safety is often not taken seriously, despite its importance. 4:49 It defines office safety as "common sense thinking" and "one step ahead," considering the consequences of actions. 5:27 Simple safety acts are demonstrated, such as reading labels (e.g., fire extinguisher warnings) and using handrails. 5:56 The film shifts to a more serious tone, stating that office safety is not a joke, with thousands injured, crippled, and even killed annually in senseless accidents. 6:07 It notes that while offices are statistically safe, accidents do happen due to "empty-headed careless way." 6:24 The film urges viewers to understand that accidents occur when people don't realize their actions (or inaction) are hazardous, using a dropped pencil as an example of a "trivial thing" that can lead to accidents. 6:54 It suggests that accidents could be practically eliminated with a "little bit of extra effort," such as reading signs, picking up loose objects, reporting hazards, and avoiding "setting booby traps." 7:21 The core message is reinforced: a moment of time and good judgment is all it takes to prevent accidents. 7:48 The film concludes by recommending reading an office safety booklet as a starting point.