The Occupational Health and Safety Act imposes requirements for the arrangement of the workplace and screen when PC work takes place regularly and corresponds to at least one day within a normal working week. In these cases, suitable fixtures and equipment must be provided in the home workplace so that work can be carried out appropriately in relation to health and safety.
Layout of the home workplace
As a rule, the following standard equipment can be provided for working from home: PC, monitor, keyboard, mouse, head-set and office chair. As far as possible, you should use the same equipment you already have in your office workplace at SDU. In this temporary situation, an SDU desk does not count as standard equipment, since an ordinary writing or dining table at home can be used by most people.
If the employee has special needs in addition to the standard equipment, an individual assessment should be carried out of the extent to which the work can be carried out at home, whether there is a need to make a special arrangement or whether the work should be transferred to SDU’s locations.
Monitor, keyboard and mouse
There must be enough space on the work desk to accommodate the screen workspace so that appropriate working postures can be obtained:
- You should be able to rotate and tilt the screen so that it can be adapted to the user’s needs and be positioned so that irritating reflections and mirroring are avoided, e.g. by placing the screen so that the direction of vision is parallel to the window.The screen must be separate from the keyboard and placed at a viewing distance of 50-70 cm and at such a height that a horizontally outstretched arm points directly to the top menu bar.
- The keyboard must be at an angle and separate from the screen so that the user can maintain good working positions. Avoid “cracking” wrists when using the keyboard. There must be sufficient space in front of the keyboard for the table to provide full underarm support.
- The mouse must be wireless so that it can be placed in front of the employee’s body, and it must also fit the employee’s hand. This is to prevent discomfort in the wrist, arm and shoulder.
Table, chair and sufficient space
The table and chair should fit the employee and the work tasks to be performed, and there must be enough space to change posture and for work movements.
- The work table must be large enough to accommodate working equipment and forearm support. The table height should suit the employee working at the table and the work tasks being carried out. However, there is no requirement for a height-adjustable standing desk at home.
- The work chair must be adjustable in height. A good chair should allow variety in seat inclination and seat depth, and the seat and backrest should be independently adjustable.
- The workplace must be sufficiently illuminated, with appropriate contrast between screen and environment and no irritating glare and reflections. If necessary, a work lamp can be provided for the employee if conditions at home do not provide adequate light for working.
Movement when working from home
Office work tends to be very sedentary. In the context of working from home, meetings and conversations have also become more firmly attached to the computer. Sustained sedentary work can be associated with muscle and skeletal difficulties. In addition, sedentary work reduces daily energy consumption and thus contributes to a generally inactive lifestyle.
Daily screen work must be organised so that it is regularly interrupted by other work, or, when this is not possible, interrupted by breaks to avoid adverse health effects.
To prevent discomfort and pain in the body, here are some pointers for incorporating movement while working:
- Create good training routines and incorporate breaks during the working day, and preferably active breaks.
- No matter how well you have furnished your workplace, variety – the next working position – is the best. Therefore, vary posture by switching between different chairs and tables. Organise work so that tasks vary and thus also the possibility for changing posture.
- If possible, stand up or walk, e.g. during phone conversations and online meetings that do not require a screen.
- If there are no good options for variation, and if you have intensive work with computer mice or other pointing tools, it is extra important that you actively organise your day so that you take good breaks.
- Make sure to take good breaks away from work.
- Take time off when you have time off.