Home Office Safety: The Potential Hazards of Working Remotely

Remote workers often love being able to work from home; it’s convenient and comfortable. But what many people take for granted is the fact that home office safety isn’t a given. Accidents can happen at home, too, and when someone is working remotely or running a business from their home, the risk of safety hazards increases.

Whether they realize it or not, home-based business owners bring the health hazards of a traditional office (or other business setting) into their house. And without the proper safeguards in place, those hazards can make remote work hazardous. This guide walks through some of the top hazards that pop up in a home office and tips for working safely.

Home Office Safety Is a Growing Concern

Government statistics show that half of all businesses in the United States are home-based. Additionally, letting employees work from home at least some of the time has gone from being an occasional perk offered by some businesses to a commonplace work arrangement, thanks in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As more employees work from home, accidents that wouldn’t be likely to occur in a conventional business location could increase. For example, tripping and falling down a staircase in the home is a sadly common accident. Tripping and falling down the same staircase while reading a work email becomes a work accident. Similarly, getting injured after tripping over the power cord of the home office worker’s notebook computer could be considered a work injury. Trips and falls are just the tip of the iceberg, too. 

Combined, these factors seem to create a looming disaster for those who work from home.

How does OSHA regard remote work?

Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not routinely inspect home-based workplaces, the Administration guidance states:

“All employers, including those which have entered into ‘work at home’ agreements with employees, are responsible for complying with the OSH Act and with safety and health standards. 

“Even when the workplace is in a designated area in an employee’s home, the employer retains some degree of control over the conditions of the “work at home” agreement. An important factor in the development of these arrangements is to ensure that employees are not exposed to reasonably foreseeable hazards created by their at-home employment. Ensuring safe and healthful working conditions for the employee should be a precondition for any home-based work assignments.”

Essentially, employers are legally required to make reasonable accommodations to help their remote workers stay safe and healthy, even when working outside of the office.

How to Make Home Offices Safer 

If a business owner (or their employees) is planning to work from home, it’s essential to stay informed about some of the most common home office hazards and the steps to take to remove them and prevent injury.  

Some of the home office safety measures to put in place are common sense (or they ought to be, at least). But it’s easy for someone working from home to ignore or forget about basic safety precautions as they go about their daily routine. Safety is important and must be addressed even at home. Here are some top areas to keep in mind.

Home Office Computer Safety

When a person hears the words “safety hazard,” they probably immediately think of hazards that can cause bodily harm. And those risks are important to address. But it’s easy to overlook the inherent risks that come from technology; computers and other smart devices are potentially risky, too. Many bigger businesses host “security week” promotions to help educate their employees about digital safety, but the unfortunate reality is that even home-based businesses are just as susceptible to cybercrime. Fortunately, some basic precautions can help a remote business protect its website and technology systems from cyberattacks.

Strong passwords that regularly get updated are, of course, a must. Little things like never leaving a laptop open or a desktop unlocked when away from the desk also help. Some employers may even require their remote workers to use a virtual private network (VPN) to help enhance their digital security.

Another simple (but easily preventable) risk is laptop cords. If a remote worker uses their laptop plugged into a wall outlet, someone walking by could trip on it. That slip-up could damage both the person and the laptop.

Walking Surfaces in the Home Office

Here are a few tips to keep in mind about walking surfaces.

• Floor surfaces should be level, dry, and free of frayed seams; carpets and rugs need to be well secured to the floor.
• Surfaces should be free of tripping, slipping, or bumping hazards.
• Never allow electrical or telephone cords in walkways.
• All stairs with four or more steps should be equipped with handrails.

Remember, falls are one of the most common causes of home accidents – don’t become another statistic.

Fire Safety

One of the greatest dangers in the home is fire. Here are some ways to reduce the risk of fire inside a home workspace.

• Keep all workspaces clean and clear. Avoid a pileup of dust and unfiled papers, and eliminate combustible materials whenever possible.
• Dispose of trash promptly and in compliance with regulations.
• Be sure to have a working smoke detector and a suitable fire extinguisher for the workspace.
• Plan a fire escape route and keep fire exits unobstructed.
• Keep heating devices like coffeepots, space heaters, and heated blankets away from flammable materials.

Electrical Safety

Not all homes are built to withstand the electrical strain that a business imposes. Here are some electrical safety concerns to watch out for.

• A major cause of fire is overloaded electrical circuits, so take care not to overload outlets with too many plugs. Use surge protectors when possible. If additional outlets are needed, have a qualified electrician properly install them.
• Circuit breakers or fuse panels should be labeled and accessible.
• Electrical plugs, cords, panels, and receptacles should be in good condition and free of frayed or loose wires, bare conductors, or broken insulation.
• Older homes with two-wire grounded outlets that require plug adapters will not afford adequate protection for personal computers; three-wire grounded outlets are optimal. Computer equipment should also be connected to a surge protector.
• Make sure all electrical components have sufficient ventilation.
• Phone lines, electrical cords, and extension wires should be secured under a desk or alongside a baseboard.

Air Quality

Poor air quality in the home office can cause or exacerbate a number of respiratory maladies. Some of those maladies are simple, just causing irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. But carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly. Here are some things remote workers can do to keep their air quality as safe as possible in a home office.

• Work in a well-ventilated area. Fans and air purifiers can help.
• Prohibit smoking indoors. Not only is smoking inside bad for the home’s resale value, but it also increases the risk of lung cancer, not just for the smoker, but also for anyone who breathes in secondhand smoke.
• Properly handle office chemicals and use them only in well-ventilated areas.
• Store chemicals, especially those that are toxic, in a safe and secure storage area.
• Purchase and install a carbon monoxide detector. Change its batteries regularly.

Computer Workstations

Computer-related injuries and illnesses can be avoided with some simple ergonomically sensible applications:

• Prioritize ergonomic home office equipment that is comfortable, reducing strain on the back, arms, shoulders, and neck muscles.
• Computers should be placed and used on a standard-height desk or workstation that allows the device to be kept at arm’s length.
• Use a standard five-legged computer chair that promotes good posture. If the home office is heavily carpeted, add a hard plastic mat underneath the chair to prevent tipping when moving.
• Maintain adequate overhead lighting to help reduce eye strain from the glare of screens.
• Regular breaks are key to preventing health risks that arise when someone sits for prolonged periods. Regular movement, whether that’s a stretch break or a five-minute walk, helps promote blood flow and can benefit mental health, too.

General Office Safety Practices

Here are some other general tips and tricks that can help keep remote workers (and their families) safe.

• Do not store any item on top of tall cabinets or furniture. To do so would invite falls and injuries. Try to limit storage to designated storage areas.
• File cabinets are infamous for causing accidents and injuries. Don’t place them near entrances or heavily-walked areas where open drawers can become a hazard. Avoid opening more than one file drawer at a time, which can cause the cabinet to tip over.
• Secure all office furniture that could tip over, such as bookcases, desks, and storage caddies.
• Never store a sharp office implement, such as scissors or letter openers, where it could fall and hurt someone. Unless in use, store these items safely in a drawer.
• Chairs and other office furnishings should be structurally sound so that their use does not cause injury.
• Paper shredders and other equipment that could cause physical injury should be turned off and unplugged when not in use.
• Keep a fully stocked first aid kit in an easily accessible location, and ensure that everyone in the home knows where it’s kept.

Important Notes About Child Safety

Many remote workers have young children who could spend time in their home office. It’s essential to “childproof” all working spaces. Here are some important child safety hazards to address:

• Keep any and all sharp office implements away and out of reach from small children. Even small-but-heavy items, such as paperweights, could cause injury if picked up by a child. Store office chemicals out of reach, ideally in a child-safety-locked storage area.

• Cover unused sockets with plastic covers. Use a surge protector with an on-off switch that can easily turn off the source of power. Double-check (ideally on hands and knees) that there aren’t any cords that could trip up little feet.
• If possible, consider keeping children out of the office (especially when there’s no adult in the room) or locking the door to the workspace.

Remember: regardless of whether someone works at corporate headquarters or at a small home office, office safety is paramount. Every boss and every employee should prioritize preventing work-related injuries and illnesses.

Beyond physical safety measures, home-based entrepreneurs should also consider legal structures for their business. Forming an LLC can establish a legal separation between personal and business assets, which may provide protection in certain liability situations. Combined with appropriate insurance coverage, this can help safeguard a business owner’s personal finances as they operate their home-based company.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. For specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.