What Every Agent Should Know About Telecommuters

by Arthur Moll

I predict that within the next few years, more than half of the companies in the United States will employee one or more telecommuters.

This shift in the worksite will be even more prevalent in insurance agencies. Many agencies of the future will be contained in a briefcase that's moved from an office in the home to a car, to a client, and then back to the office at home.

The requirements for office square footage will diminish, but the need for loss-prevention efforts will increase dramatically because of the increased variety of exposures. If part of the telecommuter's job requires the use of a personal auto (which is rare in current operations), the exposure to serious accidents should be of great concern.

So it's prudent for professional agents to educate their clients, as well as themselves, on how to establish and maintain a safe telecommuter workplace. The goal is to minimize Workers Compensation claims.

Every potential workplace should be inspected and given minimum standards for a safe office. What's more, an agreement should be drafted regarding the responsibilities of the employee in the home-office environment and the necessity to report accidents immediately.

Here's a checklist that I recommend for the purpose. It isn't extensive and certainly doesn't purport to take into account every possible exposure, but it's a good starting point:

OFFICE SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

Walking Surfaces

• Are floors even-without holes, cracks, or tripping hazards?
• Are carpets and rugs secure?
• Are aisles wide enough to provide easy movement?

Electrical Hazards

• Are all extension cords the three-wire type and in good condition? There should be no splices or broken insulation, and cords should be no more than 10 feet long.
• Are circuits overloaded?
• Are extension cords plugged into other extension cords?
• Do any wires or extension cords run under carpets or rugs, through doorways, or in traffic areas?

Stairways

• Is there adequate lighting?
• Are stair treads in good condition?
• Are stairways unobstructed and not used for storage?
• Are handrails installed and in good condition?

Office Equipment

• Are chairs in good condition? Are they adjustable?
• Is the area equipped with a fire extinguisher?
• Is the work surface area adequate for the task to be performed?
• Are employees trained to lift heavy boxes-for instance, paper and supplies?

Auto

• This exposure is to be avoided whenever possible.

Ground rules for telecommuters can pay off in lower costs, increased productivity, improved quality of the product, and more satisfied employees.

Because home accidents far exceed on-the-job accidents, be prepared to counsel your clients to inspect each work site to identify and eliminate hazards. You can lay the foundation to ensure telecommuter safety.