The US workforce is making the shift from office to home in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. As offices in some States plan on re-opening, the majority of companies will continue to operate with employees working from home. With this transition, comes new challenges for companies and for employees. It’s important to appreciate that even though your staff no longer have a commute to work and will no longer be performing their jobs in a physical office, safety hazards still exist in the home. This segment is part one of five in our Work-From-Home Hazard Assessment Guide to help you and your employees work safely from home. It will provide a step-by-step outline to follow when conducting a thorough at home hazard assessment.
BONUS: Download our simple Home Hazard Assessment Checklist below that will help you to effectively identify all the hazards in your home workspace
Home Hazard Assessment Checklist
To work safely from home, you must first ensure that your workspace is free of any hazards that could jeopardize your well-being. You should not simply assume that you are safe just because you are at home. Here are the risks you need to consider:
Ergonomic hazards:
Is your workstation comfortable and ergonomically sound?
Take the time to set up a comfortable office where you can work safely and productively. Selecting a comfortable chair and desk is essential. Ergonomic chairs should be height adjustable, have a 360-degree swivel base, have built-in lumbar support, and have an adjustable backrest, armrest, and seat depth. Here’s everything you need to know about setting up your home office.
Electrical hazards:
Are the outlets in your workstation grounded?
Older homes may have improper wiring and do not always have three-pronged grounded outlets, which can create electrical hazards. Furthermore, pay close attention to the state of your power cords. Broken or frayed cords create significant electrical hazards. Lastly, make sure that you are not overloading any circuits by plugging in too many cords to the same source.
Fall hazards:
Does your workspace have any obstacles that could result in a trip or fall?
Remove any slip or trip hazards from your workstation. It’s important to ensure that your visibility is good. This means having proper lighting that allows you to see any safety hazards. Be mindful of any obstructions, such as loose carpets, uneven flooring, or slippery surfaces that could cause you to lose balance.
Biological hazards:
Does your home have any mold or excess dust?
A gas leak, tobacco smoke, or other hazards such as asbestos or mold can be extremely harmful to your health – especially if encountered day after day. Excessive exposure to dust can reduce lung function, and increase your chances of developing chronic bronchitis and heart or lung conditions. Ensure that your workspace is clean and well-kept to protect yourself and mitigate the environmental hazards at play.
Chemical hazards:
Have you recently installed a new carpet?
Your home likely contains numerous substances that are damaging to your health. Depending on the chemical, exposure to toxic substances can result in symptoms such as shortness of breath, irritation of the airway and lungs, a burning sensation, cough, or dizziness. Off-gassing of a new carpet is a serious phenomenon – after installation, new carpets will release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) for the first 4-5 days. Depending on the concentration, VOCs can cause irritation to the eyes and throat, fatigue, nausea, skin ailments, liver and kidney damage, and deterioration of the central nervous system.
Physical Hazards:
Is the potential for break-ins high?
Home invasions can be very serious, and potentially violent, if you are at home when the intruder enters. Having the confidence that you are in a safe and secure area is essential. Other considerations involve the structure of your workspace. Is there a risk that it might collapse? Is the building structurally sound? These are all factors to consider when evaluating the presence and severity of physical hazards at home.
Environmental hazards:
Is your workspace quiet?
It’s also important to reduce distracting noise and install sufficient lighting to create a safe and productive environment. Excessive workload, distractions, and noise will negatively impact your ability to work. Noise-proof headphones are a great way to reduce distractions and noise hazards.
Once you have identified which hazards are present, now it’s time to take steps to either eliminate or mitigate the risks. Following this simple checklist will help you to effectively identify all the hazards in your home workspace.