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Injury prevention
Five ways to avoid your home office becoming a danger zone
Ngā tohutohu e rima kia haumaru tō noho i roto i tō tari i te kāinga
Working from home has become the norm for many people across Aotearoa. But a makeshift office during bubble life could still cause preventable injuries.
You've heard it before: the workplace can be full of hazards. Working from home is no exception, and in fact it could be more dangerous. Statistically, you're more likely to be hurt in and around the home than in any other location.
Staying injury-free is as important as ever while we're in our bubbles. Fewer injuries mean less traffic to the doctor's office. And it helps keep us where we should be – at home.
The good news is that most injuries are preventable. In fact, injuries from falls in the home were down 53% during the first two weeks of the COVID-19 lockdown compared to the same period last year. But we're still averaging around 10,000 injury claims each week during lockdown, so here are five tips for working from home during bubble life.
Tips on working from home with your wellbeing in mind
1. Get physical
Just like you would in the office, be sure to get up and move often, whether it's a walk around the house, some gentle stretching or push-ups in the back yard. Our bodies aren't designed to be sitting for long periods of time, and it'll give your brain a refresh too. See our guide to exercising at home safely:
Seven tips for exercising at home
2. Wrangle loose toys and cables
Chances are your new office might also be used as a kitchen, lounge, or kid's bedroom. Trips and falls are the most common hazards to happen in the home, but they're also the most avoidable. You probably have a few extra power cables snaking around your workspace. Use velcro straps or twist ties if you have them to bind cables neatly together, then tape them to table legs or skirting boards to keep them clear of walkways.
3. Shift heavy furniture with care
If you're moving around desks or tables to refresh your workspace, do it carefully. Injuries while moving furniture are more common than you'd think. On average, there are 12,000 new claims for furniture-related injuries each year, with back injuries being the most common. Remember to bend your knees, not your back, and brace your core.
4. Raise that laptop
If you've been looking down at a laptop, you may be feeling some tension in your shoulders and neck. Raise the laptop screen to eye level using household items like shoeboxes or books. Consider adding an external keyboard and mouse to help set yourself up as you would in your office.
You've heard these ergonomic safety tips before, but they work:
- keep your arms at a 90-degree angle
- keep your feet flat on the floor
- and relax your elbows by your side.
For more tips, TBIhealth has guides for workstation set up and stretches.
How to set up a remote workstation - TBIhealth website
5. Connection is important
Your mental wellbeing is just as important as your physical setup. Stay connected and social with friends and colleagues through video calling or phone calls. If you haven't already, consider starting a daily virtual quiz or a weekly shared virtual morning tea and enjoy conversations about life outside of your bubble.
Take time out
Finally, make time to take care of yourself and your whānau. We're all working through an unprecedented time, and everyone will be affected differently.
Working from home can be a big adjustment, so go easy on yourself, take plenty of breaks, and be kind to others.
More info
Although things are out of the ordinary right now, we're still here, helping to prevent injuries and providing care and support if things go wrong.
We're here to help during bubble life
For more advice on looking after your wellbeing, check out the New Zealand COVID-19 website.
Unite Against COVID-19 - Looking after your mental wellbeing
