Since the move to home working over the last 12 months, many full-time staff have been forced to quickly adapt their homes to suit the requirements of their usually office-based jobs.
Working from home poses many challenges for people. Whether it is working around home-schooling, caring full-time for relatives, or dealing with pets that you wouldn’t normally see during the day.
To that end, many people forget to consider the safety flaws in their work-at-home environments. Without proper guidance from their health and safety representatives, full-time employees could unintentionally be risking their safety.
What are some common home-working safety risks?
The most common work-from-home injury is back pain. Many homes haven’t been set up with appropriate chairs or desks to work from. Dining tables and chairs are designed for occasional use and don’t offer the lumbar support require for work.
Other common injuries when working from home include neck pain, tripping on extension cables or tripping and falling over objects left about by children.
What causes injury and safety problems when working at home?
The leading cause of injury while working at home is not having the correct equipment. This includes a good chair, appropriate desk and good lighting to avoid eye strain.
It has also been proven that the room you work in influences how safe you are. Full-time employees with a dedicated home office encountered less safety risks than others, with the lounge and dining room coming in second.
How can you stay safe while working from home?
Even if you are working from home, your employer still has a responsibility to make sure that you are staying safe. Of course, the day-to-day management of safety concerns will fall to you and your family, but your employer should still be providing guidance and safety checklists as the would in the office.
It is also vitally important that you or your employer invest in the right kit to help you in your employment. That means getting the right chair, desk, monitor and lighting to do your job and well has providing safety tested electrical equipment to use in your duty.
What to do if you have an injury at home?
It is important to report injuries to your employer and seek medical attention. If you are severely injured while working from home, you could make a personal injury claim.
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