When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, it sent many people to work remotely. The first thing people did was upgrade their Netflix and HBO packages, and things like safety tips for working from home somehow didn’t raise much interest. Are you surprised?
When thinking about working from home, safety isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. After all, there are no apparent dangers there.
You don’t have any construction cranes, open flames, dangerous machinery, or hazardous materials in your home (if you do, maybe you should reconsider your life choices). We have to admit—when working from home, safety concerns are simply not at the top of the list.
The truth is that the stealthy nature of the work-from-home risks makes them dangerous. The symptoms of work-related issues take some time to appear, and the damage can be irreparable.
Working from home has its benefits: no commuting, more flexibility, and so on. But you can only enjoy them if you are healthy and safe. Here are some tips for staying safe:
Work From Home Safety Tips: #1 A Designated Work Area
Many people who work from home find that their productivity and efficiency improve when they have a dedicated work area. It should be separate from the living and sleeping areas in your home, as this will help create a distinct boundary between work and leisure time.
It is also important to keep all work-related materials and documents organized and filed away in this area. This will help keep your mind focused on work and make it easy to find what you need when you need it. Here are some safety topics for working from home you should keep in mind:
Your home workstation should provide the following:
- Enough lighting and space. You don’t want your elbows constantly hitting something or your equipment jammed together and overheating. Also, when it comes to light, you don’t want a significant contrast between ambient light and the screen because it hurts the eyes.
- Computers and devices should be far away from heat sources and faucets. In fact, electrical safety while working from home should be one of your first concerns. Creating a home office often implies bringing in different devices such as printers, scanners, and similar. You probably already know that electronics don’t go very well with heat and water.
- Keep doorways and paths unobstructed. You want to be able to get around without tripping over something and falling. Statistics show that falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury worldwide.
To improve your home office safety, you should also:
- Use power cord ties. You don’t want to trip over cords, dragging all the equipment to the floor.
- Use surge protectors. You will need it to save your work in case of a power outage.
- Cybersecurity is important – avoid unnecessary risks. You should practice good computer hygiene and use the best VPN and antivirus software.
- Keep your workspace clean and clutter-free. Around 53.6% of accidents happen in the household, and mess greatly increases chances of some unforeseen event.
Ergonomic Safety Tips—How to Set Up an Ergonomic Workstation
Working from home has become the new normal for many people, but it can be hard to maintain a healthy posture when you’re not in an office setting. Therefore, setting up an ergonomic workstation in your home is important to help reduce the risk of pain and injuries. Here are some tips:
- Don’t use a dining table or coffee table as a makeshift desk—these aren’t designed for prolonged periods of sitting. Instead, invest in a proper desk and chair you can adjust to your height.
- Make sure your computer screen is at eye level. This is one of the most overlooked ergo safety tips, which is a mistake. If you have to look down or up at your screen, it puts strain on your neck and shoulders. You may not notice it immediately, but it will take its toll later.
- Take regular breaks to stretch and move around. Set a timer to remind you to get up and walk around every 20 minutes.
- Check your posture regularly. Are you slouching? Are your shoulders hunched? Stand up straight and take a few deep breaths to relax your muscles.
Work From Home Safety Tips: #2 Working Hours
Establish regular working hours and stick to them as much as possible. When you work from home, it can be tempting to let your work schedule slide. After all, there’s no one around to tell you when to start and stop working. However, it’s important to establish regular working hours and stick to them as much as possible.
Not only will this help you be more productive, but it will also prevent you from burning out. Moreover, it’s important to take breaks every few hours. Get up and move around, stretch, or grab a snack. If you’re tired or stressed, take a break instead of plowing ahead.
Working From Home Safety Tips: #3 Socializing
When working from home, it’s important to stay connected with your coworkers. You should be active in chat apps, email threads, or video conferencing calls. Staying engaged will help you feel connected to your team and prevent you from feeling isolated.
However, you shouldn’t overdo it. Namely, 52% of Americans between 23 and 38 years old admit to being addicted to social media.
Try to leave the house for lunch or coffee breaks and, if possible, enjoy them with your coworkers. Just because you are working from home doesn’t mean you are a hermit.
For people living alone and working from home, safety implies staying in touch with coworkers. It is always good to have someone who would notice your absence straight away. We don’t usually talk to our friends and family every day, but we do with our coworkers.
Maintain Good Communication With Coworkers
We all know how office drama can take the stress levels through the roof. Even though you don’t work in an office, you still work with people. Working remotely increases the chances of people misunderstanding you.
This subject is rarely touched during the safety moment for people working from home, and it is a mistake to overlook.
Pay attention to what you are saying and how you communicate it. People can’t see your face or your posture. They can’t know if you are joking, sarcastic, or serious. That’s why you should somehow let them know.
If your company chat allows it, maybe you should use emojis. (We are fully aware of how it sounds). Using them can reduce stress levels in communication. More than 6 in 10 Americans claim work is their primary cause of stress. Try to be in those other four.
Safety Tips for Working From Home: #4 Drink Enough Water and Choose Healthy Snacks
When you work from home, it’s easy to get caught up in your work and forget to take care of yourself. Remember to drink plenty of water and eat healthy snacks throughout the day. Avoid alcohol that can dehydrate you and make it difficult to focus.
If you are tempted to reach for a beer or glass of wine at the end of the day, remember that alcohol can interfere with sleep and make it more challenging to focus the next day. So, if you want to be productive when working from home, stick to water and steer clear of booze.
On the other hand, if you want to be happy while working from home, a bit of alcohol to relax probably won’t hurt. Just don’t make it a habit.
Safety Tips for Working From Home: #5 Surroundings
When you work from home, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings. If you have children or pets, you’ll need to take steps to ensure they don’t interrupt or distract you while you’re working.
If you live in an apartment, you may need to be mindful of noise levels not to disturb your neighbors (or them disturbing you).Moreover, if you have expensive work equipment, it’s important to ensure it’s secure and out of reach for anyone who might break it.
Fire Safety
One of the most important things on your working from home safety checklist should be fire safety. Even if your home office is relatively small and low-risk, it’s still important to take basic home safety precautions.
First, make sure you have good-quality smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors installed and in a good working order. Second, keep a fire extinguisher handy, just in case. Third, be aware of potential fire hazards in your home office, such as electrical cords or overloaded sockets.
Telework Safety Tips—Summary
Work from home has become routine. The process has begun with the increase in internet availability and speed. In fact, the covid-19 pandemic only speeded up the process. We now have to deal with things others were taking care of while in offices.
We are now cleaning services, maintenance crews, and similar. But getting off on the right foot doesn’t have to be difficult. We hope we’ve helped.
People Also Ask
What are dos and don’ts while working from home?
There are a few important things to keep in mind to make the most out of your at-home work experience. First, it is important to create a dedicated workspace. This will help you avoid getting distracted by household tasks or other activities.
It is also important to set regular working hours and take breaks throughout the day. This will help you stay focused and avoid burnout. Finally, it is important to communicate with your team and supervisor. You shouldn’t mix work and home tasks, turn the TV on, eat snacks all day and work in your PJs.
What are the five recommended safety tips to ensure safety?
1. Establish a dedicated workspace: Create a physical boundary between work and leisure.
2. Take frequent breaks: Get up, move around regularly, and stretch your arms and legs periodically.
3. Use ergonomic furniture: This can help prevent strain on your back, neck, and shoulders.
4. Stay hydrated: Dehydration can lead to fatigue and headaches. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day and avoid excessive caffeine or alcohol intake.
5. Limit distractions: One of the biggest safety hazards when working from home is distractions. Turn off the TV, and turn the volume down on your radio.
Why is it important to be safe while working from home?
Working from home has its risks. By following basic safety precautions, we are protecting our physical and mental health. This is important because both are affected by equipment-cramped spaces, lack of physical activity, bad posture, and a sense of isolation. Remaining active both physically and socially is very important. People often overlook safety when working from home because dangers are not obvious.
How can I make my home office safe?
Here are a few tips to help you create a safe and productive workspace. First, invest in a good chair that supports your back and provides adequate lumbar support. A footrest can also help reduce fatigue and keep your feet from dangling.
Second, ensure your monitors are at the correct height to avoid neck strain. Place them at eye level, about an arm’s length away from your face. Third on the list of safety tips for working from home is to keep cords and cables tidy and out of the way to avoid trips and falls. Use zip ties or cord coverings to keep them organized and ensure they’re not stretched across high-traffic areas.
