There is no place like home
The way we work is changing. An increasing number of us are setting up a home office and working at home. This has been made possible by the developments in technology which means that we can transfer information immediately and can easily work remotely. There are many benefits in choosing this change in lifestyle but there are certain issues that need to be considered.
Health and safety is a very important factor in the design of your office and
if you do not look at the ergonomics of the workspace then you could
be storing up problems for the future such as RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury).
Even if you work from home according to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) it is still the duty of the employer to protect the health and safety of the employee. A proper risk assessment must be done to identify any hazards or risks and record any findings. This must be on an ongoing basis.
You can contact the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on 08701
545 500 or visit the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk
Or to down load the Guidance for employers and employees on health
and safety which is specific to home working. http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg226.pdf.
There are a wide range of products that will help ensure your workspace is
a comfortable environment for you to work. This includes a mixture of
the following:
The above can all help to customise the home office to best fit the individual. As we are all different the right mix and use of products is important.
The general layout of the furniture and accessories is also important
so the office is organised and streamlined so tasks can be done easily
and effectively with least discomfort. The placing of shelving
and storage and filing
so it is easily accessible and the placement of the desk
accessories on the computer
desk all can contribute to making the job easier. Risks such as
trailing cables must be identified. Lighting levels must also be appropriate
to reduce eye strain but not cause glare on the VDU screen.
Breaks must be taken so your position is changed regularly and make sure there is space to stretch out to reduce the pains of repetitive work. Rotating jobs is also a good idea so you are not constantly staring at the screen all day.
The above are just a few suggestions that can be implemented. Read the HSE brochure for more useful information.
There is much help and advice if you have specific problems. The GP is the best starting point for many ailments as it is always best to seek proper medical advice even if the problem has not progressed to far. Sometimes where the problem is more serious or long term there is no quick fix and surgery is needed. However products can be found to help reduce the chance of problems in the future or reduce current problems. This can work along side any professionally recommended treatment and advice.
You can find an inspiring range of office furniture and accessories
for the home and the office at www.homeofficedesign.co.uk
or call 01259 212478.
This will provide a valuable resource of products for the home worker or professional
corporate purchaser to help conform to the requirements and provide
a safer more comfortable work space.
If you've enjoyed this article or found it informative please tell your
colleagues and friends about it. Meanwhile be sure to take a look at
our first article in the series - An Introduction
to Home Working and our most recent article - Designing the Office Environment.
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