Home Office Safety

While working from a home office presents severalBan smoking within the office. Properly handle office
advantages, it also entails many concerns that are notchemicals and store them in a safe and secure
faced by people working in a traditional workplacestorage area. Install a carbon monoxide detector.o
setting. One of the major issues is ensuring safety forComputer set up: Workstations should be arranged in
you, your employees and clients. According to thesuch a way that they are comfortable and do not
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,cause unnecessary strain on the back, arms or neck.
workplaces with less than 10 employees experience aComputers should be placed either on a desk of
disproportionate number of work-related deaths. Andstandard height or in a workstation specifically
home-based businesses top that list. We've putdesigned for their use. A computer chair with good
together a checklist of the most common home officeback and arm support and position should be used and
hazards. Use the following guide on home officethe keyboard should be placed directly in front you at
safety to learn how to protect yourself, your peopleapproximately elbow height.o Child safety: If you have
and your business:o Walk areas: Falls are one of theyoung children and expect them to spend any time in
most common causes of home accidents. So takeyour home office, it is imperative that you "childproof"
steps to ensure that it doesn't happen. Keep flooryour working space. Keep all sharp office implements
surfaces level and dry; carpets need to be wellaway and out of reach of small children. Cover unused
secured to the floor to avoid tripping. Do not havesockets with plastic covers. Use a surge protector
electrical or telephone cords in walkways. Stairs withwith an on-off switch that can easily turn off the
four or more steps should be equipped with handrails.osource of power. Consider keeping your children out of
Fire hazards: Fire is one of the greatest potentialthe work areas in the larger interest of home office
dangers in a home office. Keep combustible materialssafety.o Other common practices: Do not store any
to a minimum and dispose of trash promptly. Install aitem on top of tall cabinets or other furniture. Limit
working smoke detector and fire extinguisher at yourstorage to designated areas. Do not locate file
workspace. Plan a fire escape route and keep all firecabinets near entrances or heavily-walked through
exits free and clear of any obstacles. Have regularlyareas where open drawers can become a hazard. Do
scheduled fire drills.o Electrical outlets: Have a qualifiednot open more than one file drawer at a time as this
electrician check your electrical circuits and installcan cause the cabinet to tip over. Unless in use, store
additional outlets. All circuit breakers or fuse panelscommon office equipment like scissors, letter openers
should be labeled and accessible. Make sure yourand staplers safely in a drawer or other secure
electrical components have sufficient ventilation. Homelocation. Chairs and office furnishings should be
office safety is greatly enhanced when electrical plugs,structurally sound so that their usage does not cause
cords, panels and receptacles are maintained in goodinjury.
condition. Computer equipment should be connected toYou should have an adequately stocked first aid kit
a surge protector. Phone lines, electrical cords andand be ready to seek medical treatment, if necessary.
extension wires should be secured under a desk orHome office safety and the prevention of
alongside a baseboard.o Air quality: Poor air quality inwork-related injuries and illnesses should be one of the
the home office can cause or exacerbate a numbertop priorities on your list when running a business from
of respiratory ailments. To avoid this, work in ayour house.
well-ventilated area. Use fans to increase air circulation.