Product Safety, Use & Maintenance

Last updated: October 4, 2026

This page gives general safety, use and maintenance guidance for furniture sold by Officestock (9381961 Canada Inc.). Our products are designed for commercial, office and institutional environments. This guidance adds to, and does not replace, the instructions, labels and warnings supplied with each product. Read and keep the product's own instructions. Where they differ from this page, follow the product's instructions.

Intended use

Use each product only for its intended purpose, in a normal indoor commercial or office environment, unless the product information says otherwise.
Products are not designed or tested as children's products or for use by children. Keep children away from furniture that can tip, pinch or crush, and from moving parts and electrical controls.
If you use a product at home or in any other non-commercial setting, you take responsibility for its suitability there. Take extra care with anchoring, stability and supervision, especially where children or pets are present.
Employers: choose furniture suited to your workplace and workers, and make sure the people who assemble, use and maintain it receive these instructions and warnings.

Important

Never exceed the rated weight or load capacity stated for the product. If no capacity is stated, ask us before loading it heavily.
Do not stand, sit, climb or lean on any product not designed for that purpose (desks, tables, shelves, cabinets, drawers, armrests).
Do not modify products, drill or cut them, or replace parts with non-original parts unless we approve it in writing.
If a product is damaged, unstable, loose, cracked, overheating or not working properly, stop using it immediately, remove it from service and report it to us.

Assembly and installation

Products ship in commercial packaging and many are heavy. Assemble them by following the instructions step by step, with the tools specified and enough competent people to lift and position parts safely.
Fully tighten every fastener and install every part, including anti-tip devices, stabilizers, glides and levelers. Do not use a product that is partly assembled.
Place products on a firm, level floor. Adjust levelers so the product does not rock.
Anchoring to walls, floors or other structures must be done with hardware suitable for the wall or floor type, by a competent person. We are not responsible for the condition or capacity of walls, floors or structures.

Storage, filing cabinets and shelving

Tip-over hazard. Tall or heavy storage units can tip and cause serious injury or death. Secure tall units to the wall with the anti-tip hardware supplied or recommended, and always where the instructions require it.
Open only one drawer at a time unless the cabinet has an interlock designed to allow more. Never defeat an interlock or counterweight.
Load the heaviest items in the bottom drawers and shelves first; unload from the top first. Spread loads evenly and stay within each shelf's and drawer's capacity.
Close drawers and doors when not in use. Do not push or move a loaded unit.
Do not store flammable or hazardous materials unless the product is rated for them. Keep products clear of heaters and open flames and maintain ventilation.

Seating

Choose seating rated for the user's weight and the hours of use. One person per chair.
Do not stand on chairs, tilt on two legs, or kneel on or lean heavily over armrests.
Gas lift (height-adjustment) cylinders contain pressurized gas. Do not open, heat, puncture or repair them; a damaged cylinder must be replaced by a qualified person.
Use casters suited to your floor (hard or soft) and a chair mat where needed.

Desks and tables, including height-adjustable models

Keep desktops level and stable; do not overload overhangs or edges.
Crush and pinch hazard. Before moving a height-adjustable desk, check that nothing and no one is above, below or beside it, including chairs, cabinets, window sills and cables. Keep hands and feet clear while it moves.
Leave enough cable slack for the full range of movement. Do not exceed the frame's rated lifting capacity.
Do not let children operate the controls. Use the control lock where one is provided.

Electrical components

Plug powered furniture and accessories into a properly grounded outlet of the correct voltage. Do not use damaged cords or plugs, overload power bars, or run cords where they can be pinched or tripped over.
Unplug before cleaning or servicing. Keep liquids away from motors, controls and outlets.
If you notice a burning smell, sparks, smoke or unusual noise, unplug the product at once and report it to us.

Regular maintenance

Every six months (more often for heavy or multi-shift use): check and retighten all bolts, screws and fasteners, and check frames, welds, glides, casters, levelers, hinges, slides and anti-tip hardware.
Inspect seating regularly for loose or damaged seats, backs, arms, bases, casters and cylinders.
Re-level products after moving them.
Replace worn or damaged parts only with original or approved parts.

Care and cleaning

Clean with a soft, damp cloth and mild soap, then dry immediately. Do not use abrasive, solvent, ammonia or bleach cleaners unless the product's care instructions allow them.
Protect surfaces from standing water, heat, hot items and direct sunlight, which can cause swelling, warping, fading or cracking. Use coasters, pads and mats.
Natural materials (wood, veneer, leather, stone) change with age and light. This is normal, not a defect.

Moving products

Empty drawers, shelves and cabinets before moving. Lift; do not drag. Use enough people or equipment for the weight.
After moving, re-check fasteners, levelers and anchoring before use.

Disclaimer

This guidance is general and cannot cover every product, space or situation. It is not professional, engineering or workplace health and safety advice. You are responsible for following all laws, building and fire codes and workplace safety requirements that apply to your premises, and for consulting a qualified professional where needed. To the extent permitted by law, we are not responsible for loss, damage or injury resulting from failure to follow the product instructions or this guidance, use outside a commercial or office environment without suitable precautions, misuse, overloading, improper assembly or installation, failure to anchor, lack of maintenance, modification, or the use of non-original parts. Nothing on this page limits any right you have under consumer protection law. See our Terms and Conditions of Sale.

Questions or a safety concern? See Product Recalls & Report a Problem, or reach us at headoffice@officestock.com or 1 647 499 6656.