It’s so easy to get into a routine, but if you’re missing a step or two, your routine might trip you up when you least need it to. October 30 is National Checklist Day – make sure you’re covering all the bases.

Pilots use checklists to make sure that they’re safe for flying. No matter where you’re working, you can use a checklist to make sure that you and the people around you are safe.

Depending on your specific industry, you probably have additional safety steps to add into your checklist. Here we’ve corralled some very common ones, including a few that are often overlooked. Particularly when you’re working from home.

Emergency preparedness

• Can you easily get to the exit in event of a fire or other emergency?
• Do you know where to gather for headcounts?
• Do you have a go-bag for whatever disasters are common in your region?
• Do you have flashlights with extra batteries close at hand?

Prevent slips, trips, and falls

• Is the lighting adequate?
• Remove anything that’s in the space where you and/or colleagues might walk through.
• Clean up and dry any liquid spills on the floor.
• Either clear away cords running across the floor where people travel, or tape them down so that they’re visible but not in the way.
• Hold the handrail when you’re going down the stairs.

Ergonomics

• Make sure everything you need regularly is within easy reach so you’re not straining to get to them.
• Stand or sit so that your spine is neutral, shoulders are down, elbows are bent at 90 degrees and wrists are straight. 
• When sitting, make sure feet touch the floor when knees are bent 90 degrees, and get a footstool if you need it.

At the computer

• Sitting all day is bad for you, so set a timer if you need a reminder to get up and move around.
• Standing periodically helps you avoid sitting, and we can help you create a sit-stand desk from your existing folding table.
• While standing, make sure that you’re still ergonomic.
• Your eyes should line up with the top of the computer screen, or have it slightly below eye level.
• Periodically look away from the screen to protect your eyes. Look at something farther away. Out the window is even better, especially if you have a nature view.
• Use a filter for glare if necessary.

If you use folding tables for a sit-stand desk or for other uses, check out our store for table risers that lift up the surface to a height where you can stand comfortably. 

Lift Your TableⓇ… SAVE YOUR BACK!