Maralyn Kastel, The Detail Devils
Useful for: Assessing the safety risks in your home office
OHS responsibility goes beyond the employer's place of business. It includes any place where the employer requires or permits an employee to perform work, including the employee's home, vehicle or work site. Working from home is not without risks. Are you at risk? Do a risk assessment to see where you have potential for accidents and injuries.
The following conditions are well documented and have resulted in death and/or serious injury in home work environments.
Electrical - trip or electrocution
Electrical extension cords on floors are often trip hazards. Electrical cords are easily damaged by chairs running over them which then become an electrical hazard. Laptops cords need to be tested and tagged.
→ Do a quick check of electrical hazards:
1. Do you use electric radiators/fans? These can be hazardous and are well known as the cause of fires.
2. Do you have overloaded power boards and an excessive amount of double adaptors - electrocution and fire risk
3. Are any power cords frayed?
4. Do you have electrical circuit protection? eg RCDs or circuit breakers - these reduce the risk of electric shock and electrocution.
Workstation arrangement
Laptops and workstations with inappropriately set up seating arrangements results in poor posture and resulting pain in the shoulders, neck, arms and general muscle soreness in the short term. In the long term the risks increase of carpel tunnel syndrome and soft tissue injury.
→ Do a quick check of workstation set up:
1. Is the seat surface height adjustable?
2. Is the seat surface deep and wide enough for comfort?
3. Is the backrest easily adjustable in height to provide mid lumbar support (lower back region)?
4. Is the backrest angle adjustable relative to the seat surface?
Eye comfort
Eye discomfort from spending lengthy periods in front of a screen include eyestrain, headaches and blurred vision.
→ Do a quick check of your visual comfort
1. Are reflections a problem?
2. Do you look down at the keyboard constantly?
3. Is the screen at eye level?
4. Is the height of the monitor easily adjustable?
5. Is the head able to be held vertical without repeated rotation to do the work?
Lighting
Good lighting in home workplaces is essential so you can see clearly and safely perform your work.
→ Do a quick check of your lighting comfort:
1. Is there a sufficient amount of light in an area
2. What type of lighting is used?
3. Where are the light sources coming from?
4. Is lighting designed specifically for the job tasks?
Other potential hazards in the home office
→ What else can cause an accident or injury?
1. Are filing cabinets non-tip?
2. Are there obstructions or objects lying around? Eg kids toys etc
3. Is there potential for slips, trips or falls?
4. Is storage of material effective and appropriate?
5. Do mats have curling edges?
The Detail Devils® is widely recognised as a provider of exceptional products and services that are easy to use and really make a difference in their clients' business.
Maralyn has worked with hundreds of small-medium businesses in a very wide range of industries including manufacturing, industrial, professional, building, trades and just about every type of industry you can imagine.
Maralyn launched The Detail Devils® with a range of products and services that enables business owners to give WorkCover the “Thumbs upâ€. Most importantly they make sure that clients have the necessary OHS systems and processes in place to support a safe and healthy workplace. She is passionate and practical about workplace safety.
“I'm very proud of the fact that not one of our clients has ever had a WorkCover fine when using our OHS systems and processes. We love thatâ€
“Our vision and our mission is to save lives one workplace at a time and one person at a time in your workplace.â€
The Detail Devils® team is there to help you with your workplace challenges. Give them a call on (02) 4735 2186 to see the future through their Simply Genius OHS range of products and services.