Homeworker Workstation Assessment

1. z WORK FROM HOME (WFH) DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT ASSESSMENT

2. z WORK FROM HOME (WFH) DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENTASSESSMENT An ample number of individuals worldwide are adjusting to remote working due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For some, this is a one-time occurrence when they require flexibility around their regular schedule. Many people, however, are being forced to make this shift without previous forethought. This article will assist you in assessing the hazards of working from home so that you can identify the assistance and equipment you may require. As an employer, it is essential to safeguard your employees from the health dangers associated with working with display screen equipment (DSE), including PCs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations apply to workers who use DSE daily for an hour or more, home or work. These employees are known as 'DSE users.' Workers who use DSE rarely or for a short period are exempt from the requirements. According to the latest figures, 13.9 percent of persons working in the UK work from home. That equates to 4.2 million people who work remotely and without the benefit of coworkers nearby.

3. z DSE assessment A DSE evaluation assesses how a user utilizes display screen equipment to detect and reduce health hazards such as musculoskeletal injury, repetitive strain injury, eye strain, and work-related stress. A DSE evaluation considers how display screen equipment is utilized, the arrangement of the desk or workstation, the user's posture while working, the working environment, and the applications used. It makes no difference where the work is done; the risks posed by DSE are the same everywhere. If you have a fixed desk where you spend most of your time each day, you may customize your workspace to meet your specific demands. It is critical to review your workstation set-up frequently since changes in your body may require modification in your desk or chair configuration. When workstation equipment cannot be modified to obtain proper posture, the dangers are raised. Upper limb diseases, backache, weariness, and stress, as well as momentary eye strain and headaches, can all be exacerbated by incorrect posture. When employing DSE, there is no legal advice on how long or how frequently breaks should be taken; hence, there is no legal guidance. It is dependent on the type of employment that you perform.

4. z It is possible to get up from your workstation and move around, or at the very least stretch and modify your posture when there are breaks or variations in inactivity. Short breaks should be taken frequently rather than lengthier ones taken less frequently.For example, a five to ten-minute break every hour is preferable to twenty- minute break every two hours. In an ideal world, you would also be able to select when you take your breaks, yet in some cases, predetermined intervals must be enforced due to the nature of the task being performed. It is feasible to take a break from DSE to work on almost every job toperform other duties, such as attending meetings or making phone calls. In the absence of naturally occurring fluctuations in activity levels in a position, managers shouldschedule rest periods. Many employees operate flexibly, including remotely at offsite locations and from home. Working from home - on a laptop, desktop PC, or paper, is a low-risk pastime. This working pattern has several potential benefits, but it also has certain drawbacks. These include: v Working in a solitary environment (well-being, stress, personal safety, and accidents). v Workplace aspects - display screen equipment (DSE), fire safety, and electrical safety.

5. zRISK ASSESSMENT FOR HOME WORKERS - HEALTH & SAFETY It is expected that working from home will become standard practise in the business setting, with a large proportion of employees doing so on an as-needed basis. Many people, however, will be unfamiliar with the concept of working from home, and for others, the concept of working from home for an extended period of time will be strange. Combining work from home with the high level of worry and concern that comes with a major health epidemic such as Covid-19, it is possible that working from home with little support will become a significant source of stress and danger. Workers who are WFH during an isolated period should consider the assistance and direction that their employers can provide them, which may include:

6. z v Providing flexible help to workers through telephone or video conference support/meetings with a line manager to facilitate caring for someone who may be ill at home. v Encouraging employees to contact with one another by phone, instant messenger, email, or video conference with other colleagues. v Examining the possibility of changing targets or performance indicators to account for the unprecedented circumstances. v Because there is no set start or finish time for the working day, it is necessary to ensure that employees work their assigned hours and do not overwork themselves. v Recognizing the need for frequent breaks during the workday, which will allow employees to establish a work habit. v Providing suitable information technology help to ensure efficient operation, such as quick access to shared systems or information; and Providing instructions and help in a timely and clear manner

7. HOMEWORKER SELF ASSESSMENT COVID-19 is a developing scenario that has already necessitated considerable lifestyle and job modifications. Much of the workforce worldwide has now switched to a 'Work from Home (WFH) paradigm as part of social distancing tactics. Workplace Health and Safety Act stated that "all employers are expected to take into consideration the well-being of their employees, through maintaining a working environment to ensure its workers are not exposed to hazards, and also to ensure that work activities are performed in a manner that workers are not exposed to hazards," "Employees should take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and health at work, as well as to prevent endangering the safety or health of others via any act or omission." Employees must take reasonable precautions to ensure their safety and health while at work, as well as to prevent endangering the safety or health of others via any act or omission at work." A work from home self-assessment at this stage is fundamental to limit the risk of strains and other injuries when practicing WFH. Make any necessary improvements to your home-based workstation to ensure that you may securely work from home, as recommended.

8. INFORMATION ON THE SAFE USE OF COMPUTERS/LAPTOPS IN GENERAL To minimize negative health consequences when working with computers (especially laptops), make full use of the display and work environment modification features to get the most out of them. To do this, make sure that: v Your chair and monitor are adjusted to provide you with the most comfortable working position. As a general rule, increase the height of your seat back to provide appropriate back support and lift your chair so your forearms are about horizontal (elbows at 90 degrees when using the keyboard). v You're sitting parallel to the keyboard and display, with enough legroom to allow for mobility, and there are no obstructions under the desk, such as boxes or equipment. If you can comfortably sit parallel to the monitor/keyboard, you can put it at an angle to the desk (i.e. with sufficient legroom).

9. v Your keyboard is at least 50 mm from the front of your desk; this is advised for resting your hands and wrists while you are not typing. When typing, avoid bending your wrists and keep light contact on the keys. Also, avoid overstretching your fingers. Use a wrist rest if required. v You have adequate capacity to accommodate any papers you want. If information is moved from paper to computer, a document holder should be employed and placed next to the monitor at the same viewing distance as the screen. v To avoid glares on your screen, avoid looking directly at windows or bright lights, and adjust your blinds or curtains. v You don't sit in the same spot for lengthy periods. To minimize excessive strain on the backs of your legs and knees, alter your position as often as possible.

10. Posture Group is a trading name of Relaxa UK Ltd. Relaxa UK Ltd registered offices: Suite 207, Catalyst House, 720, Centennial Court, Centennial Park, Elstree, Hertfordshire, WD6 3SY, United Kingdom Registered in England no: 4530501