COVID-19: The UC Merced EH&S Ergonomics Program is unable to conduct onsite evaluations of employee home at this time. To support staff working at home, the UC Learning Center has a training for Healthy Working at Home and Remote Work Tips fact sheets are available below.
If you are experiencing discomfort associated with working remotely after attempting the suggestions below, please notify your supervisor and follow the steps listed on the Evaluation Procedures page. Supervisors can contact Ergonomics Program staff at ergocat@ucmerced.edu for help and assistance.
Remote Work Tips
HOW TO USE REMOTE WORK TIPS FACT SHEETS
Remote office work can present unique challenges to working ergonomically. These Remote Work Tips provide in-depth suggestions on how to improve your home work station. Such suggestions include setting up your desk, adjusting your chair, and proper placement of your computer and accessories.
You do not have to make sweeping changes all at once; incremental change allows you to “test out” those changes and decide if more adjustments to your home office setup are necessary. Preventing strain and discomfort that may occur as a result of a poorly designed workstation setup is essential to reducing eye, neck, back, and hip/leg pain associated with working at a computer for long periods of time. Do not forget to take regular stretch breaks! These breaks allow your muscle groups to relax and reduce nerve pain associated with muscle fatigue.
Setting up a home office for the first time can be challenging, but by reviewing these fact sheets and making a few changes over time, you will have an optimized computer workstation that reduces strain on the body and improves comfort while working.
Training
Employees can access online training (Ergonomics for Computer Users and Healthy Working @ Home) via the UC Learning Center for additional information about reducing risks associated with the development of musculoskeletal disorders. These trainings are a required part of the evaluation process and aim to help users reduce their risk themselves.
Equipment
Employees may take their laptop, power cord, and storage devices to their remote location, provided they have inventoried these items per the Telecommuting Guidelines. If it is absolutely imperative to your job function for you to take UC-owned peripherals home to fulfill your job duties: