For many people, nothing could feel less risky than being cocooned all day at home, laptop on your lap and firing off a few friendly emails.
But complacency, as any successful homeworker knows, breeds failure. And, in some extreme circumstances, could also lead to injury. Indeed, working from home possesses a surprising number of health and safety risks. And since remote working is probably here to stay, it’s time to face them head on rather than brush them under the carpet (you’ve really got time for brushing during the working day?!).
With that in mind, here are 9 health and safety risks homeworkers should be looking to mitigate.
Who’s Responsible For Accidents While Working From Home?
Firstly, we should probably deal with the small print – you know, that part at the end of the advert that the voiceover reads really darn quickly.
Here’s the thing; every employer has a duty of care for their employees. This means that your employer has a legal responsibility to ensure your health and safety, even if you’re working from home. They should carry out risk assessments of your home workspace and help you make any changes that you need, as well as give you information on how to keep your working environment safe. If they fail to uphold this responsibility and you suffer in an accident as a result, then you could be able to make a personal injury claim to seek compensation.
However, you also have a duty to take reasonable care of your own health and safety while working at home. You need to keep your employer informed of any health and safety risks in your working environment, as well as any changes that you need to make.
9 Health And Safety Risks For Home Workers
There are several health and safety risks you should be aware of while remote working, of which we think these are the most essential to address proactively…
Poor Workstation Set Up
Having a bad working space at home can cause a variety of health problems, including musculoskeletal injuries and eyesight problems.
It’s safe to say that not everyone has an ergonomic home office setup. Working from the sofa, the kitchen counter, or in some cases, your bed, can lead to strain on your neck, back, wrists, and eyes, which can be exacerbated by bad posture.
Ask yourself the following questions to ensure your workstation doesn’t pose a risk:
- Are both your feet firmly on the floor?
- Are your arms and things horizontal?
- Is your back supported?
- Is all your equipment easy to reach?
- Is the top of your screen roughly at eye height?
- Are you facing your screen squarely?
Countermeasure: Invest in ergonomic chairs and keyboard rest pads. Position your laptop or monitor at eye level, and take regular breaks to stretch.
Increased Screen Time
With no commute and potentially longer working hours, screen time can significantly increase when working from home, leading to digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome.
Countermeasure: Follow the 20-20-20 rule, by looking away from your screen for 20 seconds at something that is 20 feet away every 20 minutes. Consider using blue light glasses to minimise eye strain.
Increased Sedentary Behaviour
The lack of a daily commute or a walk to the lunchroom can significantly reduce your physical activity, leading to weight gain, cardiovascular issues, and other health problems.
Countermeasure: Incorporate short bouts of physical activity all through your day. This could include a quick walk around the block or a few minutes of stretching or yoga.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
Spending more time at home can expose you to allergens or pollutants in your indoor environment, which can aggravate respiratory conditions.
Countermeasure: Regularly clean and ventilate your workspace. Using an air purifier or keeping indoor plants can also improve air quality.
Mental Health Strains
Isolation and the blurring of lines between work and personal life can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression.
Countermeasure: Establish clear boundaries for work and personal time. Connect virtually with colleagues for social interaction, and consider seeking professional help if feelings of anxiety or depression persist.
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
RSI can develop from repeated physical movements doing damage to tendons, nerves, muscles, and other soft body tissues, a condition commonly associated with poor ergonomic setup.
Countermeasure: Create an ergonomic workspace and take regular short breaks. Consider using speech recognition software if typing is causing strain.
Noise Pollution
Continuous exposure to high levels of noise can cause stress, affect concentration, and lead to hearing problems.
Countermeasure: Use noise-cancelling headphones, designate a quiet space as a workspace, or consider soundproofing your workspace if possible.
Slips, Trips & Falls
Falling injuries are just as relevant in the home working environment as they are in the office, with disorganised objects often being more likely to be present at home.
Countermeasure: You need to ensure that the floor is free from any obstacles that could cause a fall, including loose paperwork, tangles of wires or cables, and unsecured carpets or rugs.
Fire Safety
Proper fire safety is a must for your home office, especially if you need to use electrical equipment for your job.
Countermeasure: Ensure all electrical cords are in good working condition, with not internal electrics being exposed. Take care not to overload any sockets or wires and replace any equipment that gives off excessive amounts of heat.
The Bottom Line
Working from home undoubtedly presents a unique set of health and safety challenges. However, by acknowledging these risks and taking proactive steps, we can create a home workspace that isn’t just productive, but also promotes our wellbeing. After all, a healthier, safer workspace at home is not just a legal requirement – it’s a solid foundation for work-life balance and job satisfaction.