Publications
| Home Office Safety was evaluated and validated as part of an SBIR Phase I & II research grant, 2 R44 OH07461, funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control. Note: The statements and conclusions herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the sponsoring agency. |
Occupational Safety and Health Training for Teleworkers: Findings from a Research Study
- The purpose of this research study was to reduce the risk of occupational injury and illness to employees who telecommute from their homes (telework). Researchers at Harrington Software Associates, Inc. developed and evaluated a web-based safety training program for teleworkers, titled Home Office Safety. The program consisted of five courses: (1) Accidents, Security, and Disaster Planning, (2) Electrical Safety, (3) Ergonomics, (4) Fire Safety, and (5) Indoor Air Quality. Each course included text, graphics, animation, and sound to create a fully-interactive, media rich learning environment.
Researchers evaluated the program in a national field test with 380 teleworkers from 12 federal and state agencies and 42 private companies. Participants teleworked in 37 states and the District of Columbia. The research study was funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, as part of SBIR grant R44 OH 007461.
KEY FINDINGS:
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1. There is a significant need for teleworker safety training.
2. Despite the need for training, most teleworkers have not received teleworker safety training.
3. Home Office Safety significantly improved the safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices of teleworkers.
4. After completing the Ergonomics course, teleworkers reported significantly less work-related pain and discomfort.
5. Home Office Safety led to positive changes in work habits, home office design, and the prevalence of safety devices.
6. Teleworkers positively evaluated “Home Office Safety”.
