Safe Work Practices for Telecommuters

During lockdown at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, surveys revealed as many as 61% of employees working remotely. Before the pandemic, about 6% of workers worked from home on a regular basis.

There’s no doubt the pandemic accelerated the rise of the remote workforce. Working from home has its advantages but there are a few things you should do if you’re working from home.

Adopting safe work practices is high on the list, and in this article, we’ll give you some great work from home safety tips.

An Ergonomic Setup

Any home office safety checklist should include a good ergonomic computer setup. In the office, the employer is responsible for helping you with the proper setup. At home, a good telecommuting experience relies on you.

What are proper ergonomics?

Workspace

Choose an area with adequate lighting or you’ll end up straining your eyes. The kitchen table isn’t always the best spot.

Instead, opt for a good desk – preferably a sit-stand desk to avoid sitting too much. Make sure the area you’re working in is free of too many distractions so you can focus.

Movement

A sit-stand desk ensures you’re not sitting too many hours of the day but moving is also important. Set a time so that you get up and move around at least once an hour. Aim to do about 250 steps.

Take a few minutes to stretch to avoid neck and shoulder pain.

Monitor Position

Position your monitor so the top is about eye level. This helps you avoid neck and eye strain.

Many remote workers rely on laptops. If that’s you, a wireless mouse and keyboard are a good idea, as well as putting your laptop on some books to raise the screen to eye level.

The Right Chair

Even with a sit-stand desk, a good chair is a must. Make sure your knees and hips are at about the same level when seated. This reduces low back pain from pressure on the spine.

Slips and Falls

Employers worry about slips, trips, and falls in the office environment but it’s an issue at home too. Work from home guidelines for employees should include a work area free of obstacles. Take a look around your workspace and make sure it’s obstacle-free.

Always keep a first-aid kit with quality supplies in an easy-to-reach place in case you do trip and fall and get scraped up.

Schedule Your Work Day

Every working from home policy should include a scheduled workday. For your physical and mental health, confirm your remote hours with your manager.

There’s a temptation to overwork if you’re working from home because it’s so easy to turn on the computer. Stick to your regular breaks and work hours to avoid burnout from overwork.

Adopt Safe Work Practices for Remote Work

It’s important to adopt safe work practices even if you’re now working from home. Remember to keep your work area free of obstacles and follow best ergonomic practices to avoid eye, neck, and back strain.

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