More than 50 million Americans working at home. As this number increases so too do home office injuries. Officials from the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) noted that injuries from such things as falls, improper wiring, poor air quality, eye strain and fire can easily occur in a home office.
“There are a significant number of hidden dangers for those working in the home office,” ASSE President Frank Perry, PE, CSP, said recently. As the number of wage and salary workers performing paid work at home increases substantially, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the ASSE offers the following tips aimed at increasing the safety of a home office:
- be wary of falls that could occur when reaching high shelves and storage, and tripping on cables and wires;
- floor surfaces should be in good condition, carpets not torn or frayed and that they are affixed to the floor or have slip resistance pads underneath them;
- avoid having heated surfaces such as coffee makers, hot plates and portable heaters in their office as they could trigger a fire; and
- be aware that in older homes, the existing electrical circuits may not be able to handle the additional electrical load from fax machines, computers, scanners and other office equipment as well as air conditioning units used explicitly in the home office.
ASSE Council Vice President on Practices and Standards, and President of Global Solutions, Inc., Kathy Seabrook, CSP, RSP (UK), recommends that a licensed/bonded electrician inspect the existing home electrical system and upgrade it if necessary to assure the current protection and load will meet electricity demands.
The ASSE also recommends developing a fire evacuation plan (such as installing a ladder as an escape route if your office is on the second floor); using a hand held cart when moving heavy boxes; moving desks closer to power outlets and phone jacks — or just install new outlets; prohibit smoking and make sure fire extinguishers are acceptable for multiple exposures.
“Working in a home office offers significant opportunity for interaction of family and business, but it does not remove the need for reasonable diligence and prudent office safety and health in the workplace,” ASSE’s Manager of Professional Affairs and Standards Tim Fisher, CSP, ARM, said. “For instance, it is not unreasonable to expect tripping hazards will be removed. You need to watch out for cords, toys, fans, the ironing board and pets, who may chew on cords or office equipment.”
For future tips, a new column dealing with ergonomic issues titled “Form and Function” will soon be launched in the ASSE’s monthly Professional Safety Journal. The author is Houston-based Lawrence Schulze, an ASSE member and associate professor at the University of Houston whose experience includes helping corporations, such as a metropolitan newspaper, set up home offices for their employees.
From the Daily Regulatory Reporter and ASSE
