By Kristine Catimbang, OSHAcademy Training Coordinator

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to loom over the world, many companies have made the important decision to keep their employees safe by allowing them to work from home. For many employees, sitting at a desk and in front of computer monitors for extended periods of time is an integral part of their daily routine. The ergonomic design of a computer workstation is applicable in an office environment, at home, and any other environment you may work in. It is important for individuals to create comfortable workspaces to reduce ergonomic injuries. If you sit at a desk all day, proper workspace ergonomics will help you and your joints stay comfortable while working from home.

Individuals working from home should select and use a chair that supports your spinal curves. It is important for you to use a chair with lower back support and a seated cushion to help your posture (Mayo Clinic, 2019). Lumbar support cushions are a great addition to chairs with no lower back support. The chair height should be adjusted so that your knees are at the same level as your hips. Your feet should be resting flat on the ground or on a footrest as needed. If you need to raise your chair or desk to sit comfortably, you may need to use a footrest to support your feet. If the chair has adjustable armrests, then they should be adjusted so you can gently rest your arms on them, and so your shoulders can be in relaxed positions. When using a computer mouse or keyboard you should keep your wrists straight. The computer mouse should be placed within reach and on the same surface as the keyboard. The top of computer monitors should rest at or below eye level. Computer monitors should also be at least an arm’s length away from you. If you are using a laptop, use the same tips listed above to maintain proper posture while working to prevent ergonomic injuries. If you do not use an external monitor with the laptop, you can use a laptop stand to make sure the top of the screen is at eye level. Using an external keyboard and computer mouse with a laptop can also help keep your wrists straight and shoulders relaxed.

In addition to creating a comfortable workstation, it is also important for individuals to drink lots of water, remember to take breaks throughout the day, and stretch. Taking breaks throughout the day provides your bod y with rest from repetitive motions that can lead to musculoskeletal disorders and helps relieve strain on your eyes from staring at a screen. Stretching can help reduce discomfort and pain associated with sitting at a desk for long periods of time. The following are stretches which can be performed while sitting at a desk.

Arm Stretches:

• Overhead triceps stretches
• Wrist flexors and extensors
• Overhead reach
• Upper body and arm stretch

Head and Shoulder Stretches:

• Shoulder shrug
• Shoulder controlled articular rotations
• Neck stretch
• Upper trap stretch

Torso Stretches:

• Shoulder stretch
• Forward stretch
• Torso stretch

Leg and Knee Stretches:

• Hip and knee flexion
• Hamstring stretch
• Heel raise

For more information about the stretches mentioned above, please visit the links regarding stretching in the References. Stretching while working can also help improve your flexibility. In regard to stretching, remember to breathe normally and do not go further than is comfortable.

By Kristine Catimbang, OSHAcademy Training Coordinator

Safety equipment used in the workplace may contain both visible and microscopic contaminants. Keeping safety equipment clean is an essential part of keeping workplaces safe and healthy. In some cases, safety equipment may be shared amongst personnel in a workplace. Cleaning safety equipment can help keep employees safe and healthy by removing any contaminants and killing harmful viruses that can be spread from person-to-person when sharing equipment.

We should, generally, check safety equipment manufacturer product instructions for care and maintenance guidelines. It is important to follow manufacturer cleaning guidelines, so we do not accidentally ruin equipment during the cleaning process. Some general cleaning rules and methods can be safe enough to be used on different types of equipment (Ivey, 2020). For example, hard hats and safety glasses do not require any special cleaning products and they can be wiped down with water and mild soap. There may also be benefits to cleaning safety equipment, such as cleaning safety glasses with mild soapy water may keep them from fogging during use. When cleaning safety equipment, it is important to stay as safe as possible while doing it. If safety hazards are nearby, move the equipment to a safer area to be cleaned and be aware of slip hazards. The material integrity of some safety equipment is essential to maintain its function, so it is important to avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning safety equipment. Safety harnesses especially should not be cleaned with the use of harsh chemicals, such as chlorine, and should not be put into washers and dryers (Simplified Safety, 2020). Harsh chemicals may compromise the material integrity of safety equipment and make them dangerous to use while on the job. Most safety equipment does not need to be submerged into soapy water and scrubbed clean. Safety equipment can just be wiped down with soapy water and a cloth or sponge and wiped to remove any soap residue. Clean safety equipment should be hang-dried in open and well-ventilated areas to prevent mold and damage.

Equipment should be cleaned on a regular basis. Keeping safety equipment clean and maintained can help extend its use and help check for damages (Ivey, 2020). Cleaning and sanitizing equipment can help prevent workers who come in contact with shared equipment from getting sick. It may be beneficial for each worker to have their own set of equipment to decrease the likelihood of spreading an illness. Providing each worker their own set of equipment minimizes contact between employees and shared equipment. If shared equipment is used, it is good practice to clean them between each use and allow enough time for each set to dry properly.  

References

Ivey, David. (August 2020). How and When to Clean Your Safety Equipment. Retrieved from https://ohsonline.com/articles/2020/08/01/how-and-when-to-clean-your-safety-equipment.aspx?admgarea=news

Simplified Safety. (2020). How to Clean and Disinfect Your Safety Equipment. Retrieved from https://simplifiedsafety.com/blog/how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-safety-equipment/