Working from home

When you go out to work, it’s your employer’s responsibility to make sure your environment meets health and safety regulations. If you are self-employed and work from home, you need to be aware of the relevant guidelines. For example, if you are using potentially harmful substances, they should be stored away safely – particularly if there are young children around.

All systems go
Turning the spare bedroom or garage into a home office is a likely option for many. It’s a good idea to assign a specific area like this to work in, as it’s important to be able to shut the door at the end of the day and have some time to unwind. When you pick your office space and are positioning your furniture, think about how you can maximise the room’s natural light.

Your work may well involve using a fair amount of electrical equipment, so there are a few safety precautions you should be aware of before you get switched on. Any loose wires should be tucked under a desk or table, or secured neatly round the furniture out of the way.

Check any electrical equipment you intend to use to ensure that it is safe. Before you do so turn it off, then make sure that the plugs, wires, cables and equipment are in good condition and that there are no burn marks or staining, suggesting overheating.

You need to be confident that your domestic electrical systems are adequate for the equipment you want to use. Plugs must be correctly wired and maintained, the outer covering of a wire or cable should be gripped where it enters the plug or the equipment, and the outer cover of the equipment shouldn’t be damaged.

On a screen near you
While it may not have been true when your mum told you that too much TV would give you ‘square eyes’, she was right that you shouldn’t spend long, uninterrupted periods of time looking at a screen. If you’re working on screen you must build time into your schedule for regular short breaks.

Adjust your workstation, keyboard and chair so that you are in a comfortable position for working. Stretching and changing position regularly will help to reduce tiredness and prevent pains in the hands, wrists, arms, neck, shoulders and back. Your screen should also be placed in a position where lighting will not cause reflections or glare on the screen.

Other things to consider are whether the screen is clear, readable and without flicker, that lighting is sufficient to read fine detail, and the brightness and contrast controls are properly adjusted to prevent eyestrain. Have your eyes tested regularly and talk to the optician about the nature of your work and how much you use a screen, as you may benefit from using glasses while working.

Getting down to business
If you have home insurance with Privilege, you can request cover for Home Office Equipment (such as computers, printers, photocopiers and fax machines) with an overall value of up to £5,000.

Give Privilege a call to discuss your individual requirements if your work will involve anything other than paperwork and telephone calls – for example, receiving visits from clients, or keeping business-related cash or stock at home. You’ll also need to have a chat if things really take off and you intend advertising for an assistant to make the tea!

Make sure you are fully covered. For home insurance with Home Office Equipment cover, visit www.privilege.com

With access to all these benefits, why not get a Privilege Home Insurance quote from us today?