Musculoskeletal conditions soar due to homeworking

In September 2020, a survey revealed that 81% of employees working remotely during lockdown had experienced back, neck, or shoulder pain. 

Nearly a quarter of respondents were affected by these symptoms often or all the time. Another 46% were taking more painkillers than they would like to reduce these aches and pains. 

Do homeworkers have a suitable workspace? 

In The Homeworking Impact Code, just over 28% of UK employees admitted to operating from a non-work specific home location. Working from an inappropriate and unprofessional set-up such as slouching over a dining table, can cause neck, back, and hip pain.

Although 41.2% of respondents used a dedicated workroom or office, many aches and pains can still occur without putting the necessary precautions in place. 

To maintain a good posture while working at a desk:

• adjust your chair to support your lower back
• set the chair height so that your forearms and wrists remain straight when using the keyboard
• ensure your knees are slightly lower than your hips
• keep your feet resting on the floor and don’t cross your legs
• adjust your computer or use a laptop stand so that the top of the screen is at eye level.

How are employers helping?

Without prior knowledge that working from home would become the norm, those without a home office didn’t have much time to prepare. But is it the employee’s or employer’s responsibility to ensure at-home workspaces are appropriate? 

More than a third of office workers claimed they hadn’t received any support, advice, or equipment from their employer to assist with homeworking during lockdown. A staggering 89% of people who are temporarily working from home and are in pain hadn’t told their employers. 

Although the law doesn’t require employers to conduct home workstation assessments for employees working from home temporarily, they should still offer advice.

According to HSE, if the temporary homeworking period extends, employers should hold regular discussions with workers to address whether improvements need making and deliver equipment if necessary.

Although the government’s advice for people to work from home where possible is likely to end, it’s unclear when that will be. Companies may also decide to continue offering homeworking to employees as a benefit, as 39% of Brits want to sometimes work from home after lockdown. 

To aid permanent homeworkers, employers must provide information on how to operate comfortably to avoid developing musculoskeletal conditions. Regularly communicating with staff members will help to prevent any long-term issues occurring too. 

On top of this, employers must instruct staff to complete a homeworking risk assessment and a display screen equipment assessment. The health and safety policy may also need adjusting to cover homeworking.

Robert Winsloe, managing director at Arinite, says, “Creating a suitable at-home work environment is crucial to preventing employees developing physical issues that can have long-term implications. 

“Although not everyone has a home office, there are always adjustments you can make or adaptations you can add to equipment to create a more supportive set-up.

“Even if workers have a dedicated workspace, it doesn’t mean they’re informed of how to operate in a way that protects themselves from aches and pains. 

“With homeworking likely to continue into the future, employers should consider how to care for their remote staff’s wellbeing as part of their health and safety practices. 

“Putting precautions in place will prepare businesses for the possibility of remote working remaining commonplace.”

HSM is hosting a free CPD webinar on The rise and prevention of M.S.Ds. (Musculoskeletal Disorders) in the office environment on 22 February 2021 at 10:30am. You can register to attend for FREE at https://events.streamgo.co.uk/The-Rise-Of-MSD