The Health & Safety of Working at Home

Working at home is convenient, but it requires you to be aware of your surroundings and the hazards that may exist. At home, you must act like your own safety manager to ensure a comfortable and safe environment.

Risk Assessment

According to Business Link, people who work from home must safeguard their residence because coworkers or clients may need to visit for work-related purposes. It is important to perform a risk assessment of your home environment to eliminate safety hazards. Make sure your smoke detectors work and that walking surfaces are dry. The last thing you want is for one of your clients to slip and fall on your newly polished floors.

Considerations

When you work at home there are health issues to consider, such as making sure your home office furniture is ergonomically appropriate. Slouching on the couch with your laptop is not a safe way to do your work from home. Neck spasms, backaches and muscle soreness are some of the side effects associated with poor ergonomic posture.

Benefits

Certain health and safety risks are eliminated when you work from home. For example, you are less vulnerable to germs and contagious illnesses that coworkers bring into the office.

References

• Business Link: Health and safety for people who work at home