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5. TRAINING TIPS
In addition to links to training resources in the "How-To" Resources
section of this site, here is an
excerpt from my own training materials I've used with dozens of employers
over the years. These are meant to be representative points, but should
not be used as the complete list of points to be covered to train for safe
home-office set-up.
These are the outline points I cover in discussion format; I have included
some narrative (in parentheses) about each point. You are welcome to use
these materials within your organization, but please include the following
attribution:
This information developed and provided by Gil Gordon Associates. For more
information, visit www.gilgordon.com.
PLANNING FOR A SAFE, COMFORTABLE, FUNCTIONAL HOME OFFICE
- A separate, dedicated (or restricted-access) work area
(Telecommuters can't work on the kitchen table or on the sofa, and they
should not have to take the time to set up and take down their work area
every morning and evening.)
- Away from the main traffic flow and temptations
(The value of telecommuting depends on getting away from the interruptions
and distractions in the office - don't replace them with interruptions and
distractions in the home.)
- Desk with enough space on it and storage space nearby
(A desk filled with piles of papers, and with books or manuals strewn
across the floor nearby, is not only an unsafe work area but is also very
inefficient.)
- Chair suitable and comfortable for work
(With few exceptions, office workers will suffer more from an unsuitable
chair than from any other aspect of the workplace. The chair should have
five casters to lessen the chance of tipping over, and should be adjustable
in all dimensions. And you can forget about working in your favorite
recliner on a kitchen chair.)
- Close enough to electrical outlets and phone
(Stringing cables and wires across the floor to reach the outlets or phone
jacks is an invitation to an accident. The desk should be placed as
closely as possible to the outlets/jacks. If this is not possible, proper
extension cords should be used around the perimeter of the room, not across
the floor. Don't think that you'll never trip over a Day-glo orange
extension cord across the floor - you will.)
- Free from loose rugs or sources of slipping and tripping
(A loose throw rug on a shiny floor is another invitation to an accident -
as are kids' toys, sleeping cats, coffee mugs, slippers (bunny or
otherwise) and so on. Keep the floor clear, and don't put something down
that might look good but could cause you to end up flying through the air.)
- Desk at comfortable (for you) work height
(I have never believed in the so-called "ideal" measurements for things
like desk, chair, and keyboard height. How can one number be correct for a
person who is five feet tall and another who is over six feet? You can
start with those dimensions but the best test is how you feel at the end of
the day. Be sensitive to signs that the furniture isn't suitable -
headache, eyestrain, muscular strains, numbness in arms or legs, stiff
neck, etc. are signs of problems. If you experience these, try adjusting
your furniture or ask for help from someone qualified to assist you.
- Desk sturdy enough to safely support PC
(If the employer doesn't provide furniture, don't drag that wobbly card
table out of the garage - the one with the duct tape around the
slightly-broken leg - and use it for your PC, phone, etc.)
- No "spaghetti bowl" of extension cords
(Don't plug the PC, printer, and so on all into the same outlet with the
air conditioner, refrigerator, CD player, etc. It's not that the office
equipment takes that much power - the problem is that all those things
together can overload a circuit. Also, be sure your electrical outlets are
grounded properly. If you have ANY doubt about the adequacy or safety of
your wiring, call in a qualified electrician to check it.)
- Position desk (relative to lighting and window) to avoid glare on screen
or papers
(The goal is to position your desk so that the sunlight is not shining
directly onto the screen and reflecting into your eyes, and so the bright
sun outside doesn't contrast with the dark screen. It depends on how your
office is oriented to the source of sunlight, but in general, most people
are better off positioning their desk at an angle to the light source.)
- Task lighting vs. area lighting
(Most home-office areas, especially if they are in spare bedrooms, have
large ceiling lights that are designed to light the entire room. Those
overhead lights will often cause a shadow to be cast on your desk, since
your body is between the light source and the desk. You might be better
off leaving the overhead light off, and replacing it with a floor light or
desk light that appropriately lights up your work area.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby
(The odds of having your computer or other equipment catch on fire are
small - but if it happens, you'll want to have a fire extinguisher at hand
instead of having to run downstairs or wherever else in the house to find
one. It also makes sense to install a smoke detector in your home office
for the same reason.)
That's it - if you have any questions about any of these issues please
email me or call me at (732) 329-2266.
1. SUMMARY
2. BACKGROUND
3. MY INTERPRETATION
4. SUGGESTIONS FOR EMPLOYERS
5. TRAINING TIPS
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