5 Home Office Health & Safety Tips Every Team Should Implement
Times have quickly changed over the last weeks with the Coronavirus health and safety quarantines and social distancing. With the quick spread of the virus, The Presidents Coronavirus Guidelines for America paired with the importance of keeping our humanity safe, businesses have had to adapt quickly. This means going digital where possible. In turn, that means many employees are having to acquire appropriate equipment, to set up and learn new technology, and set up home offices. Those who already have a home office set up will find themselves using them more. Having a home office that is healthy and safe
When setting up a home office there are important health and safety items to know, understand, and address. Making sure you and/or your employees are aware of these and budgeting business expenses to accommodate where possible, is essential to managing a healthy, productive workforce. Regular communication through audio and video connection tools matters to keep teams solid, focused, and moving forward. Don’t forget to mention the importance of home office health and safety. Here are our top 5 home office health and safety tips every team should implement.
1.) Separated Workspace for a Healthy Mind
Consider all of the distractions that you can experience while trying to work from home: children, pets, household chores, the television, and not to mention other electronics and notifications. Having a home office that is devoted to working will help to reduce noise and distractions. Being able to focus on the projects at hand is key to having a healthy mind and continuing productive business from home. A home office must become a place that accommodates work needs. The appropriate furniture and equipment must be acquired to set up a healthy, separated home workspace. In the end, a separate home office workspace will yield a healthier mind that is more productive.
2.) Cleanliness to Avoid Sickness
No one wants to be sick. We already know that washing hands thoroughly and to avoid touching your face are crucial. Regularly cleaning your workspace is recommended but has become even more prevalent of a topic with the spread of Coronavirus. It can seem like common sense, but a reminder never hurts. And, getting on a regular home office cleaning schedule can help. Get on a regular schedule of dusting and vacuuming. Use a disinfectant to wipe down all surfaces like your desk, tables, shelves, and other surfaces in your home office daily. Be sure to pay special attention to cleaning areas that are regularly touched like knobs, pulls, handles, and light switches. And don’t forget to wipe off the electronic devices that you touch regularly, namely your phone and computer mouse. Note that most cleaners need to be left on the surface for a minutes before wiping off to allow for the best clean.
3.) Ergonomics and Lighting for a Healthy Body
We talk about ergonomics all the time but when working from home this becomes an even more important physical health consideration. Being at home, it could be easier to feel comfortable and relaxed. However, a relaxed posture is not a healthy posture. If the proper furniture is not being used and adjusted properly for each individual, it could result in back pain, neck pain, stiff joints, arthritis, breathing issues, and other health problems. Make sure you have home office furniture that works for you. You’ll need a desk that is sturdy with enough legroom. A chair that is adjustable and provides support is also very important. Appropriate lighting can also reduce strain on the eyes, so consider arranging the lighting and angles of furniture to eliminate screen glare. Use a combination of natural light, desk lamps, and the brightness settings on your devices to adjust your view throughout the day. Having a healthy posture, changing positions throughout the day, and managing the lighting in your home office will result in avoiding unnecessary physical health conditions.
4.) Declutter and Secure Info and Equipment for a Safe Home Office Space
Decluttering your home office space helps to better devote your separated workspace but it also ensures a safe environment. Make sure that electrical cords are secure. Be sure they’re plugged into safe outlets with surge protectors. Remove any obstacles on the floor that could trip you like a rug, cord, or another object. Think about security when it comes to your home office work equipment (computer, phone, or another device) and run antivirus software when applicable. Avoid damage and misuse by taking the appropriate precautions which includes proper placement and securing data with adequate passwords. Taking the suitable steps to declutter and secure your home office will keep you safer.
5.) Decide to Stay Healthy & Productive
Adjust your mentality and stay positive while working from your home office. Deciding to make the most of a tough situation is better for health and will influence others to stay positive too. In addition to setting up you home office for physical health and safety, here are some mental health reminders that help us stay productive.
- Take breaks regularly
- Eat healthy foods
- Exercise and stay moving
Overall, make the choice to stay positive and productive while working from your home office. Please intentionally follow the social distancing guides and pay attention to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus updates. Be well.
Written by:
John Ofield
President/CEO at Collaborative Office Interiors
Collaborative Office Interiors is a complete office furniture and systems provider in the Houston, Austin and San Antonio area. COI specializes in providing high quality/low-cost solutions to companies that are moving, upgrading or expanding.
John opened ROSI Office Systems in 1993 and the company today is on Inc. Magazines’ Top 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in 2018. John specializes in new office furniture, space planning, new workstations, Work Fit products, remanufactured Haworth cubicles, asset management, furniture liquidation, and office furniture rentals.
