WORKING FROM ANYWHERE PARTNER SUPPORT PACK · > Break up long spells of DSE work with rest breaks (at least 5 minutes every hour) or changes in activity > Avoid awkward, static postures

WORKING FROM ANYWHEREPARTNER SUPPORT PACK

Working from Anywhere Partner Support Pack 2


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Introduction & Scope

Section 1 – DSE Guidance and Home Set Up

> DSE Assessment Form > Navigating your home > Creating the right home working environment

Section 2 – Your Responsibility to Keep Safe

> Accident reporting > First aid in the home > Fire & electrical safety in the home

Section 3 – Top 10 tips and Go-To Resources

> Top 10 WFH Safety Tips > Useful links and resources



Introduction & Scope

Whether remote working is just for now or you plan to work from home, or anywhere, in the long term, the question remains, how do you stay focused on work in a place so full of distractions and perhaps lacking the equipment you’re used to having in the office? This support pack answers those questions on how working from anywhere can be both productive and enjoyable – as long as you take certain practical steps to stay healthy, comfortable and safe.

It’s in your best interest to swot up on some of the health and posture basics. Back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders are always a significant risk with computer work, especially without suitable ergonomic equipment, which most of us don’t have when not in the office. This guidance covers laptop/desktop PC work from an employee’s home, however the same principles apply if you are temporarily using a laptop in another location, for example, whilst travelling; in a public area such as a coffee shop, hotel or restaurant; or at a customer site.

For employees currently working or planning to work from home on a permanent basis, you are advised to liaise with your employer regarding your current workstation set up and your home working environment. Find out what is required of you to enable successful remote working, safely and to protect the health of both yourself and your family. This will likely consist of required IT equipment to perform your work tasks and a workstation including an ergonomic chair and desk.

For employees currently working or planning to work from home as a temporary arrangement, we advise that you liaise with your employer, however as it’s not a permanent arrangement, DSE requirements can be more relaxed and it is feasible to adapt your current home and furniture to create a suitable workstation, as long as you are able to perform your work tasks and not put either yourself or your family at additional risk.



SECTION 1 – DSE GUIDANCE AND WORKSTATION SET UP

To start with, we recommend watching this short guide to setting up a home workstation from Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Self-Assessment

The DSE Self-Assessment should be used as a checklist to ensure that the correct adjustments have been made to existing equipment. As you work through this, you are advised to make all the necessary adjustments to help make your working environment as comfortable as possible. We recommend you use the below diagram and the helpful advice and tips within this support pack to help you understand what you need to do to make homeworking a success!

WORKSTATION SETUP

HSE Workstation Setup Video

Look STRAIGHT AHEAD,monitor at eye level or justbelow and an arm’s lengthaway. If using multiplemonitors, angle them inwards to reduce neck rotation.

Give your EYES a break. Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. 20-20-20.

ELBOWS and FOREARMSlevel with the desk surface,shoulders are down andrelaxed. Adjust chair heightor prop yourself up withadditional cushions.

FEET planted on the floor.A footrest is ideal;alternatively, use a box.

Keyboard and mouse positioned close to the edge of the desk to avoid unnecessary stretching. Don’t shrug SHOULDERS when typing and mousing; lower the work surface or adjust your chair height to avoid this.

Sit BACK taking full backrestsupport. Adjustable chairs are ideal. For more lumbar support, place a cushion or rolled up towel behind you.

Keep THIGHS parallel to the floor, knees slightly lower than the hips.

Regular MOVEMENT is key. Get up from your chair 2-3 times an hour for 30-60 seconds or 5-10 minutes every hour. Add dynamic stretches to daily routines as well as walking.

Take breaksevery 20mins

Setting up your workspace

Information collected from Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors (CIEHF).

https://youtu.be/Af7q5j14muc



1. Work Environment

2. Workstation

Is there a separate room that can be used for work?

Is there sufficient space to access and move around the work desk?

Is there an easy and safe escape route from the working area?

Is the desk and chair stable and does the chair offer sufficient support?

Can a computer and peripherals be installed to avoid trailing cables and overloading of sockets?

Has the desk been situated to avoid glare from windows or are there blinds / curtains fitted at the windows to prevent glare?

Are cables free from damage, properly secured and correctly fused?

Has the workstation been set up in-line with company DSE guidance?

Have you ensured that the lighting in the work area is sufficient for computer work and/or reading?

Is there a means of communication in an emergency?

Yes

Yes

No

No

N/A

N/A

Comments/Requirements

Comments/Requirements

For short term temporary homeworking it is recommended that you complete the form below or download a white labelled copy to add your own branding.

Employee details

Employee Name: Site Location (before moving to homeworking), if applicable: Line Manager:

Date:

For long term and/or permanent homeworking, it is recommended that you complete a more detailed assessment for example, this DSE Workstation Checklist from HSE.

After completion of the assessment, it is recommended that you communicate any identified concerns to your management representative and/or Health and Safety department.

HEALTH & SAFETY HOMEWORKING CHECKLISTFor use during a pandemic or other emergency

This checklist should be completed where a member of staff is given permission to temporarily work from home during a pandemic or emergency. Upon completion by the individual, it should be forwarded to their Line Manager and together, they must ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to resolve any issues identified.

Download your white labelled copy

https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ck1.pdfhttps://digitalwholesalesolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/White-Labelled-Temporary-Working-from-Home-Health-and-Safety-Checklist.pdf



Navigating your home

Infrographic is acquired from the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors (CIEHF)

See the full PDF from CIEHF

https://www.ergonomics.org.uk/common/Uploaded%20files/Publications/CIEHF-Working-from-Home-Infographic.pdf



Creating the right home working environment

Here are some simple steps you can take to reduce the associated risks from display screen work:

> Break up long spells of DSE work with rest breaks (at least 5 minutes every hour) or changes in activity

> Avoid awkward, static postures by regularly changing position

> Get up and move around or do stretching exercises

> Avoid eye fatigue by changing focus or blinking from time to time

Infrographic is acquired from the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors (CIEHF)



Neck discomfort – What to check:

> Is your screen too far away or positioned to one side?

> Is your screen too high or too low?

> Are you leaning or reaching forwards?

> Take suitable breaks and move frequently

Don’t have the necessary equipment?

Try modifying your workstation using household equipment:

> Books/boxes to raise laptop to eye level

> Boxes to for leg/foot support

> A dinner tray to sit your laptop, if no access to a table

> Clear a workspace to allow enough space to work effectively

Back Discomfort – What to check:

> Check your sitting height – are your elbows about keyboard height with your forearms level?

> Check that your feet are supported

> Make sure your back is supported

> Make sure you are NOT leaning forwards

> Take suitable breaks and move frequently



SECTION 2 – YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP SAFE

Accident reporting

Q. I’ve had an accident at home, do I need to report it?A. Yes all accidents at home whilst carrying out work duties in your working hours must be reported to your management representative and/or Health and Safety Department, this is a legal requirement that allows us to monitor any recurring issues and take action to make your environment safer.Please report all accidents and/or incidents by completing your company accident form.You should ensure that you have been provided with an emergency contact, usually this would be your Line Manger.

First aid in the home

Q. Do I need a first aid box at home? A. Whilst there is no requirement for you have a first aid box at home, it is advisable to have one that is accessible to every member of the household.For further information on first aid visit the St John Amulance website.

Fire & electrical safety in the home

Electrical fires are the most common cause of fire both in homes and businesses. To help protect your home, and more importantly you and your family, please review the following resources.

This is what YOU can do to stay safe in YOUR home: Spending a few moments now reviewing the resources could save lives!

Top 10 tips to keep you safe at home Fire Safety at Home

https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/#first_aid_advicehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec9ILB8lQlohttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/564803/Fire-Safety-in-the-Home.pdf



SECTION 3 – TOP 10 TIPS AND GO-TO RESOURCES

Top 10 ‘Work from Anywhere Safety tips

1. Try to use ergonomic equipment

If you use a laptop, you can create a portable ergonomic workstation with the following equipment:

> Laptop stand (to elevate your screen to eye level)

> Separate keyboard

> Separate mouse

2. Know good posture and positioning guidelines so you can improvise

Knowing how to align yourself correctly in front of your computer is vital. If you do not have access to ergonomic equipment, you can improvise, using standard items in the home to ensure your workspace is optimised for your safety and comfort.

For example, you could prop up your laptop screen with books and find a cushion to support your lumbar spine if your chair isn’t very comfortable.

Above all, keep changing position and moving around. Most sitting-related musculoskeletal injuries occur due to prolonged postures and repetitive movements.

3. Set aside a room or area that’s just for you

One of the biggest challenges people face while working from home is finding a space that’s free from distractions and comfortable enough to concentrate in. You may need to spend some time rearranging your home to get this right. Consider clearing unused corners and spare rooms to create a temporary office. Just having your own space will immediately help you to focus and get into work mode.

Avoid muscle strain with wrist and finger exercises

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv-gAncbdQ8



4. Set boundaries with other members of your household

It’s important that anyone you share your home with understands that just because you’re at home, it doesn’t mean you’re necessarily available for impromptu chats or household chores. This doesn’t have to mean being completely inflexible and anti-social. It can help to set out blocks of time that you dedicate to uninterrupted work and take breaks around this time to spend with your family.

5. Move and stretch regularly

This isn’t the same as exercise. Going for a run in the morning is all well and good, but what if you spend the rest of the day hunched over your laptop? Scientific studies show that frequent movement is just as important as high intensity exercise for good health. Every twenty minutes or so, stand up, shake your body out, do a few shoulder and neck rolls and take a brisk walk, even if it’s just to the kitchen for a cup of tea!

6. Stay in touch with colleagues

If you’re not used to homeworking, the sudden isolation can feel daunting. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of IT systems and networks to stay in touch with your colleagues. It’s important to try to keep up the workplace socialising, even if it is virtual. You don’t always have to talk about work, in fact, some of the best ideas come to us in informal, entirely unrelated chats.

7. Switch off after hours

Keeping a good work-life balance can be tricky if your workplace is your home. How do you know when to switch off? With homeworking, the lines are blurry. To avoid burning out or feeling constantly anxious when you should be winding down, be strict with yourself. Set yourself a “home time” to log off and finish working for the day.

Exercises at your workstation

10 Ways to Combat Workplace Stress

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db00TEhg9_chttps://www.posturite.co.uk/media/pdf-downloads/articles/Posturite_Workplace-Stress_A4-Infographic_APR-2016.pdf



DWSSUP01 | July 2020 | Temporary Working from Home Employee Support Pack V1 12

8. Find what works for you to stay calm and focused

We all respond differently to change and stress. It’s important that you consider how you’re reacting to the necessity of homeworking. Are you feeling lonely? Are you feeling anxious? Coping strategies are different for everyone. You could try a guided meditation online, explore some mindfulness and grounding techniques, give yoga a go or get in touch with your creative side to find an outlet!

9. Don’t take on more than you can manage

It may be tempting to take on more work than usual while working from home. Remember that the most important thing is your health and wellbeing. Don’t run yourself down: you can only take on so much. Take each moment as it comes and focus on simply doing what you can.

10. Eat healthily and exercise regularly

At home it may be tempting to keep visiting the fridge for snacks. With immediate access to food and no colleagues around to hold you accountable, it’s a slippery slope to feeling unhealthy. Try to avoid overeating sugary, fatty snacks. Stock up on healthy foods like nuts, seeds and fruit so you always have a nutritious option available when you find yourself raiding the cupboards. Keeping your body healthy will help you stay focused.

By developing healthy working habits, moving lots, drinking plenty of water and adopting good postures, you’re less likely to suffer as a result of working at home. You’ll find it easier to focus and be productive, and you may even be grateful for the comforting, relaxed surroundings.

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WORKING FROM ANYWHERE PARTNER SUPPORT PACK · > Break up long spells of DSE work with rest breaks (at least 5 minutes every hour) or changes in activity > Avoid awkward, static postures