The Labour Department has declared war on the trusty office photocopier and branded it a health hazard.
It claims the machines can cause skin allergies and even create lung-damaging ozone gases, and should be treated carefully.
Senior occupational hygienist Tsin Tai-wa said carbon powders mixed with various chemicals in photocopier cartridges could cause skin allergies, while the ultraviolet lights which switch on during printing created an ozone gas when mixed with air. In large doses the gases could damage the lungs.
'Photocopiers are everywhere and you take them for granted,' he said. 'But we need to warn office bosses to take precautions.' Three new safety booklets published yesterday call on companies to keep the machines out in the open so air can circulate freely.
The department also called on firms to regularly maintain the machines to stop chemicals leaking.
Safety experts also singled out office cleanliness and lighting as major concerns.