Do you love working from home? Perhaps you’re prone to spending too much time in the office and need some safe home office tips to keep you working productively instead of falling into a dreaded rut. In fact, working from home can be very beneficial for most people. Working from home reduces the costs of commuting and eliminates work clothes expenses. It also gives employees more flexibility in terms of scheduling, allowing them to balance work with other personal commitments without as much stress. Working from home also has its downsides, however – isolation, lack of motivation and increased distractions are all common pitfalls. Working from home increases your risk of injury or illness because there are no supervisors keeping an eye on you. You have no co-workers to socialize with during the day, and your house is filled with temptations like napping on the sofa or binge-watching Netflix instead of getting things done. Working from Home Safely Tips: A Crash Course in Preventing Accidents
Dedicate a Space for Your Workspace
One of the biggest advantages of working from home is that you can turn any room into your office. This sounds like a dream come true, but it can also be a nightmare if you don’t organize your space properly. You need a place where you can focus on your work, but also one that includes everything you need to do your job. This means stashing away all the things you’d normally keep out of sight at the office, like your laundry and the kids’ toys. You also need to make sure you have all the tools you need to complete your tasks — from a computer and phone chargers to a good-sized fridge for keeping snacks and drinks handy.
Watch Your Back
Since you’re not in an office with a team of people around to keep you safe, you need to be extra vigilant when it comes to proper posture and lifting. Make sure you have a sturdy chair that provides good support for your back, and sit up straight without leaning forward or curling up in your seat. Your chair should be low enough that your feet can rest comfortably on the floor without bending your knees. Keep your phone on speaker if you talk on it often, and if you have to move around the house, use a wireless headset so you don’t have to worry about tripping over furniture or twisting your back. You’re also at greater risk for back injuries from lifting heavy objects, so you need to be extra careful about lifting groceries or laundry, for example.
Don’t Neglect Your Body
Your office might be in your home but that doesn’t mean you can still skip the things you do at the office, like taking breaks or getting enough sleep. Your body needs to rest and recharge just like it would at the office. Working remotely means you have no one to enforce these rules and it’s easy to get stuck in the same position for hours on end. Even if you have a comfortable chair, it’s easy to get so focused on your work that you forget to move around and stretch. At the very least, you should be taking regular breaks to stretch, walk around, and get a drink of water. If you work with a team, it’s also a good idea to set a timer to remind you when it’s time to take a break. You can use this time to take a quick walk outside, grab a snack, or chat with your team members to stay connected.
Stay Organized and Keep Track of Your To-Dos
You need to be extra organized when you work from home so you don’t get distracted by the things in your house. You can’t just close a door to ignore a messy room, and you can’t expect a co-worker to pick up your mess or finish your chores. You have to be your own boss and be diligent about keeping your work space clean and your to-do lists up to date. Keep a to-do list on a whiteboard or a dry-erase board so you can move things around and cross them off as you finish them, and use a calendar to keep track of appointments and tasks that are best done at specific times. Having a dedicated computer just for your work can help, too, as it’s easy to stay focused and avoid distraction.
Stay Connected to the Outside World
Working from home can make you feel like you’re in a bubble, unable to connect with other people. You can easily get caught up in your work and forget to take a break. To avoid this, make sure you have a good internet connection, so you can stay in touch with your team members and clients. You can also take advantage of tools like video conferencing to stay connected with your team without having to leave your house. Or, if you work with other remote workers, consider using a tool like Slack to stay in constant contact with your team.
Bottom line
Working from home can be a great experience, but it’s important to be aware of the risks. Make sure you dedicate enough time to your work, so you don’t find yourself falling behind, but don’t overwork yourself either. You also need to make sure you take care of yourself so you don’t get sick or hurt yourself. Stay organized, stay connected to the outside world, and follow these tips, and you’ll be able to work from home safely. These home working risk assessment tips will help make your home office a safe environment. With these tips, you can prevent accidents and be more productive.