Right now, many people are working from home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While working from home can be a pleasant switch from your regular routine, it also comes with its own dangers, especially if you’re not used to working from home and have not set up a space for you to work safely.
Use these tips to set up a safe environment for working at home:
- Choose ergonomic office furniture: Look for adjustable chairs and desks so you can sit comfortably with your monitor at eye level. You shouldn’t have to hunch or lean forward to comfortably type or look at your screen. Make sure you adjust your office furniture so there is no strain on your wrists, back, legs, neck, or any other part of your body. If you are typing or sitting for extended periods of time, consider additional devices to reduce the strain. For example, you may want special wrist braces to keep your wrist secured or economic computer mice or screens to help reduce the risk of repetitive strain injury.
- Take breaks often: if you are working for long periods of time, set your computer timer to remind you to take breaks every twenty to forty minutes. Breaks can be a few minutes, but every few hours take a longer pause. During each break, walk around for a few minutes, and give your eyes a rest. Movement will help prevent blood from pooling in your legs and feet and can reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Taking regular breaks can also reduce eye strain.
- Remove debris from around your home: Reduce the risk of trip and fall injuries by keeping your workplace and your home tidy. Reduce clutter and any obstacles from stairs, the area around the desk, and any area where you work. Once a day, walk through your home and address any hazards which could cause injury. Businesses do this, and you need to treat your home as a business if you work there. Don’t overlook the exterior of your home; if a delivery person is injured when visiting your home, you could be held liable.
If you are injured working from home as an employee who is teleworking, you may have a workers’ compensation claim. However, you must be able to show that your injuries were caused in the course of your workplace duties. This can be challenging because in the home the line between a work duty and personal time gets blurred. If you are injured working from home, take very thorough documentation about exactly occurred when your injury happened. Work with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in Homestead or your community. If you need a lawyer, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with a Homestead workers’ compensation attorney. Our legal team offers virtual consultations, too.