Homeworker-cafe.co.uk  All rights reserved.

What about Health & Safety

Health and Safety is the responsibility of the Employer and Employee. We will try and give you some guidance so that you can discuss the issues with the benefit of some background information. Further and more detailed information can be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive and Trade Unions.

What should an employer do?

Your employer must ensure that your work environment and the things that you do at home are safe. This should include a risk assessment. This isn't that different for homeworker or an office based worker. There are a few things that should be checked thoroughly as the risks are greater for homeworkers, this includes checking -

   * Is the electrical wiring safe, PAT checked and tidy.

   * Is the lighting suitable and does it comply with the DSE Regulations.

   * Are chairs, desks and other office equipment DSE compliant and safe.

   * You should discuss work breaks and DSE breaks.

Ask your employer about insurance cover, talk to your own insurance company and local authority to make sure they are all aware that you are working from home.

The Health and Safety Executive do not consider commuting to work as an employers legal responsibility therefore it is out of scope of any HSE advice. However people travelling on business to another place of work are covered by health and safety legislation. Further advice can be obtained from the Department for Transport and the Health and Safety Executive.

Employees

As an employee you have obligations under the health and safety regulations. You must abide by the guidelines set by your employer, you should be vigilant and report problems and if your circumstances change you must let your employer know. Once again advice can be sought from the Health and Safety Executive and your Trade Union.

Health and Safety is a real issue for homeworkers please let us know about your experience at the forum.