Sitting on a chair for hours while staring at your screen can affect your physical health, especially your eyesight. One of the biggest remote work pain points is data privacy and security. When your team is working remotely (at home, in coffee shops, or co-working spaces), you can’t control the environment, and it’s a major security risk. Even in a paperless remote office, hard-copy documents are sometimes necessary, so you may want to invest in a filing cabinet. You’ll also storage space in your home office for items like pens, papers, and tech gadgets like headsets, wireless keyboards, and chargers.
In order to minimize external noise, use a headphone with a microphone for teleconference calls or to reduce outside noise while working. When possible, use the time during the calls to stand up, walk, and stretch. Many accidents/injuries can be prevented at the home setting by ensuring the workstation and surrounding area is clear of obstructions.
Want a Great Remoteor Flexible Job?
This simple CPU trolley makes it easy to move your computer to the nearest outlet or to tuck it away out of sight. For people who spend all or most of their work day at their computers. Positive and negative tilts are available to further help wrist orientation.
You won't have to look sideways constantly, and you can place the monitor at a level that’s comfortable for you. Following the principles of ergonomics, it is essential that while sitting, your forearms and thighs should be parallel to the floor. An adjustable chair with good lumbar support will help minimize neck and back strain, thereby saving you from chronic neck/back pain in the future. If you don’t have the option of an office chair, there are some household items you can use to help you adjust.
Work From Home Safety Checklist
To round off your home office checklist, here are some non-essentials that can be worth investments to improve your workspace, mood, and productivity. Whether onboarding remote employees or handling leave applications, you need a tool to capture these requests. Google Forms, JotForm, and TypeForm create simple forms you can use to handle submissions for PTO, office supplies, IT assistance, or ordering equipment and other resources.
- This minimizes twisting and straining to reach out for the said items.
- Whether your team has a remote, flexible or hybrid work policy, investing time in creating a space that supports physical and mental health over the long term is important.
- Placing your keyboard at elbow height is only the beginning of proper keyboard ergonomics.
- Try to set up a workstation that you can make entirely your own.
- The Work From Home Safety Checklist is a comprehensive guide to ensure a safe, healthy and productive work environment.
- Additionally, it provides information on proper computer use, including taking regular breaks, avoiding eye strain, and using a headset when teleconferencing.
The best position for the monitor is to place it in front of your eyes at arm’s length. The way people are seated and how they use chairs is the most important way that ergonomics can be utilized by those working from home. People spend hours sitting and working, which can cause many problems when not given the right amount of attention work from home ergonomics to optimizing it. Ergonomics is about fitting the tasks being performed to the capabilities of the human performing them. To this end, key ergonomic concepts can be summed up with one word ‘N-E-W’. Remembering this acronym will help people working at an office or home maintain productivity and more importantly, reduce injury risk.
Ergonomics Dos and Don’ts for Those Now Working from Home
Some counters, like your kitchen counter, have a toe kick, the part under the cabinet that lets you stick your toes under while you work. To create the perfect work throne, you may need to get creative. For example, if you need a higher chair so you can reach the keyboard, your feet may not rest on the floor. So, try out some shoes (flat heels only!) to see if some combination of chair height and shoes gives you the proper support for your feet. If shoes are out, try a footrest, step stool, or even a pile of books to achieve the right sitting posture. But, just because you have an adjustable office chair, that doesn’t mean it’s adjusted correctly.