OTA Dispatch Issue 3, 2021

17 www.ortrucking.org Issue 3 | 2021 the U.S., according to the National Safety Council for both your workplace as well as the home office. Most workplaces have a specific plan to address slip, trip, and fall hazards, but when you transfer work activities to the home, the risk of these injuries can increase. While we are working at home, we may not be aware of potential hazards, such as backpacks, spills, or phone charger cords. It is a good idea to encourage your employees always to be aware of their surroundings. Tips for Your WFH Team ` Always wear proper footwear inside the home. Socks can be slippery. Promptly clean up spills and any mud or water tracked into the house by people or pets. ` Keep your home clear of clutter. Make sure your home is well-lit and that all cords are safely secured and out of the way. Pay attention to where you are walking when you are on the phone. ` Always use a handrail when taking the stairs. Make sure the stairway is well-lit and avoid carrying too much up or down the stairs. home this long or headed home again. It was a quick set-up and ergonomics wasn’t a priority—getting online was. Tips for Your WFH Team ` Choose an adjustable chair. Your feet should be flat on the floor with your upper legs horizontal to the floor at about a 90 degree angle. Make sure your chair supports the curve of your lower back. If you do not have an adjustable desk chair, use folded towels or pillows to raise the seat and support your upper and lower back. Place a box or large book under your feet if necessary. ` Adjust your monitor. The screen should be at about arm’s length away, with the top third at eye level. Try using books or reams of paper to bring your monitor to the best viewing height. Arrange the workstation so that your elbows hang directly beneath your shoulders without shrugging, having them held or pushed away from your sides, or having to hold them forward. Aim to have your wrists in a neutral, comfortable position that does not require you to flex or extend them. ` If you use a laptop as your primary work computer, consider adding a separate monitor, keyboard, and mouse. ` Provide adequate lighting. Warm ambient lighting is good for computer work; cool task lighting is ideal for reading and writing on paper. ` Prevent monitor glare. Adjust blinds and curtains to prevent glare or bright backlighting around your computer screen. ` Get up and move. You may lose track of time and sit for too long, so schedule breaks to walk, stretch, and spend time away from your computer screen. Stand up when you can during calls and try to get up and move around every 30 minutes. ` Use a bluetooth or wired headset when on calls. Using a headset when on calls will help keep your hands free and help reduce back pain and muscle fatigue. What can I do to limit my exposure? Employers can implement the following practices that may limit workers’ compensation liability for home-based employees: ` Create a policy that outlines the employer’s expectations for employees who work from home. ` Establish guidelines for a home office, such as a designated work area, and provide training related to workstation setup and safety measures, including ergonomics. ` Set fixed work hours and meal and rest periods for telecommuters. Doing so can help establish whether an injury was “in the course of ” employment. ` Stay connected with your WFH team to include regular communication and, when possible, video calls. Two things we’ve learned and you should know. Coming and Going Rule. According to the “going and coming” rule, workers’ compensation benefits do not apply to injuries sustained while commuting to or from work—of course with exceptions. If an employee is required to work at both the employer’s premise and at home, the employee’s home is considered a secondary job site. The courts have found that traveling between the two locations are within the course and scope of employment and therefore, the Coming and Going Rule does not apply. For example, if a teleworker drives from their home to pick up materials or go to a workplace meeting and gets into a car accident, the injuries would likely be compensable since it is Cumulative/ergonomic injuries refers to damage and pain caused by repetitive movement and overuse. For the telecommuter, these injuries are often a result of poor ergonomics at the workstation. Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, bursitis, and back pain are most common. Many thought they wouldn’t be