Health and Safety Hazards for Work-from-Home Workers

Working from home has become the new normal for us. While only 2.5% of our workforce worked from home before the pandemic, the numbers went up to 60% during the pandemic and have settled to 25% in the post-pandemic era. Nearly all the work done from home is non-manual and involves computer use. When managed correctly, there are a lot of benefits for remote workers. From flexible work hours to no traveling time, working from home often results in higher productivity, better staff retention, and lower absenteeism.  

However, it is not suited for everyone. While most people take note of the potential health and safety hazards in the office, they tend to overlook them when working from home. Therefore, in this article, we will be discussing the health and safety hazards for work-from-home workers.  

Equipment 

Any kind of equipment that you use while working from home must be suited to your requirements. If your computer is slow, it may make you impatient or cause unnecessary distractions. You must also consider your posture and eyesight when selecting your ideal computer. Otherwise, you may end up with aching shoulders or itchy eyes after a point of time.  

Since work-from-home workers tend to sit for long hours, you must also invest in an adjustable and comfortable chair. Nearly every piece of equipment required for a remote workstation runs on electricity. Hence, you must also ensure that your house has a safe and reliable electrical connection and follows every safety protocol.  

Workstation  

Since most remote workers prefer working on laptops, they do not care much about a specific workstation. This can cause postural problems and eyesight problems due to working on smaller screens like laptops, tablets, and smartphones. To avoid these health and safety hazards, creating a separate workstation for yourself is better.  

In case you were wondering what health hazards are present in your home, it is your habit of always remaining seated. Therefore, ensure your feet touch the floor while your back remains supported in the seating position. Also, organize everything in a manner that makes it easy for you to reach any part of your workstation. The top of your screen must be aligned with your eye. Otherwise, looking up or down may cause pressure in your neck and lead to headaches.  

You must also take regular breaks to keep the blood flowing in all your limbs while allowing your eyes to refocus. Therefore, these breaks also mean you stay away from any kind of screen during this time. Also, keep your system and your workstation protected if you work with sensitive data. You will also need software support to ensure effectiveness and avoid frustration.  

Read Also: 20 Essential Desk Accessories to Enhance Productivity

Manual Handling  

If your workstation is not organized optimally, you may have to handle some things manually. If you do not consider how we will move items around, it may give rise to some health and safety hazards. Apart from the various aches and pains caused due to poor posture, you may risk an injury if you overstretch or twist your body. Therefore, try to store the commonly used items in places at your waist height while holding them closer to your core. This can reduce the risk of any injury.    

Toxic Substances  

There are several toxic substances that we use regularly. While these are potential health and safety hazards in the office, they are equally harmful in a work-from-home setup. For example, leaking toners and printer inks are highly toxic. Therefore, if you find any residue on your hand, try dry brushing instead of washing it. Washing may meld it to your hands. Also, try to keep your home office well-ventilated. Otherwise, you may end up feeling suffocated.      

Fire Safety  

One of the most common risks for home workers is fire. Since remote workers are constantly working with electrical devices, there is always an increased fire risk. Therefore, you must consider optimum ventilation for your electrical appliances while using them and turn them off once you are done. A small fire extinguisher is essential for the homework station. You may also install a fire door or smoke detectors. You must also be aware of carbon monoxide's dangers and have a CO detector installed in your home.  

Noise 

While noise tolerance is relative and differs from person to person, one can efficiently work their way around it to prevent it from becoming a distraction. Working from home with all the background noise and activities may become problematic if you have a family. You can either work when the rest of the household is passive or invest in technology that informs your family not to disturb you during work hours.  

Read Also: 10 Tips to Encourage Mindfulness in the Workplace 

Stress and Loneliness 

Stress and loneliness are two of the deadliest risks for home workers. While some people miss interacting with their colleagues, others prefer working quietly. Therefore, whether being alone or not is entirely up to your preference. However, what you need to open up about is stress. Try reaching out to your friends. If you cannot meet them in person, use online conferencing software. While stress is a potential health and safety hazard in the office, most people ignore that it is equally dangerous while working from home.  

For most people, working from home is a dream come true as they get to work at their convenience while spending quality time with their families. However, work-from-home workers must also be careful about the various health and safety hazards in their homes. If one can safely mitigate these problems, we might soon be looking at a complete makeover of our corporate structure.