Homeworking Risk Assessment


Posted April 29, 2022 by posturegroupuk

Employers must conduct a homeworking risk assessment of their workplace and work setup, just like they were on the premises/site.

 
Working from home seems to become the usual way of life for many people and firms. Earlier,
those who didn't have a homeworking program had to be forced to adopt one when necessary. It
keeps maintaining social distancing without sacrificing the company's efficiency.
It is not as simple as giving staff a laptop and a Skype account to implement a homeworking
policy.
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Even though the employees work from home, the companies are still legally responsible for their
safety. Thus employers must conduct a risk assessment of their workplace and work setup, just
like they were on the premises/site.
You must evaluate, analyze, and implement several safety considerations to reduce the chance of
dangerous occurrences at home.
Homeworking Environment
While the employees are probably comfortable with their surroundings at home, it doesn't
indicate that there haven't been any risks. Therefore, they should be properly aware of and secure
from all this.
For instance, the workspace they like to work in must fulfil the same standards as any other
workplace, such as plenty of lighting and ventilation and suitable temperature.
As a result, working in a loft with no natural sunlight or ventilation is not a secure or healthy
environment for your employee. They must pick a location with windows and availability to heat
to regulate the temperature of the room as needed.
Trip hazards are another possible hazard encountered in one's house, mainly from toys or cables
sitting around the room.
Lone Worker Protection
Employees who work from home are considered lone workers since they work alone without
direct supervision. However, it raises concerns regarding health and safety measures which must
be regarded in your home working risk assessment.
The most severe fear for lone workers is isolation. It will feel like not being in a work
environment with their coworkers. In addition, it can cause emotions of worry and loneliness,
which are hazardous to their mental health.
As a result, employers must ensure constant contact with employees who work from home,
whether it comes from you or their coworkers.

You might contact them at the end of each day to see how they're doing and offer them an open
conversation or discuss any problems they may have, or you could set up weekly meetings with
their team using Google Hangouts, Skype, or Zoom.
DSE
DSE, or display screen equipment, is a workplace risk that must be analyzed and managed to
secure the physical health of your employees.
Employees who work at home must establish their workstations appropriately. Otherwise, they
may have health difficulties such as musculoskeletal conditions over time.
However, spending periods in front of a screen, such as laptops, tablets, or phones, might cause
vision difficulties and headaches. Hence taking regular breaks from DSE should be
recommended.
Psychological State
The psychological state of homeworkers is a major health and safety issue that is sometimes
disregarded while addressing them.
Homeworkers are also lone workers, which may be quite isolating and lead to various mental
health concerns such as sadness and anxiety.
The greatest method to help employees and decrease negative sentiments is to contact them
regularly and give them information about what is happening in the company.
Some suggestions for minimizing or managing stress for homeworkers include:
 Encourage employees to get frequent breaks during the day and during their lunch hour,
walk outdoors and have some fresh air, or move away from their desks and divert their
minds through other activities.
 Please encourage them to take frequent breaks throughout the day, in addition to their
lunch break, to walk outdoors and get some fresh air or to move away from their desk and
do something else for five minutes.
 Request that they should work in a room or area of the house where they normally do not
spend time.
 Rather than sitting in bed or on the sofa, they may set up a workplace in their dining
room or a spare room, making it simpler to balance work and family.
 Please do not call them after hours. Don't call if they work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Conclusion:
Employers must conduct a homeworking risk assessment of their workplace and work setup,
just like they were on the premises/site. You must evaluate, analyze, and implement several
safety considerations to reduce the chance of dangerous occurrences at home. Employers must
ensure constant contact with employees who work from home. DSE, or display screen

equipment, is a workplace risk that must be analyzed and managed to secure the physical health
of your employees. Some suggestions for minimizing or managing stress for homeworkers
include asking them to take frequent breaks and working in a different room from their desk.
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Issued By posture group
Business Address United Kingdom, England, Elstree, WD6 3SY
Country United Kingdom
Categories Health
Tags display screen assessment , display screen risk assessment , dse assessments , ergonomic workstation assessment , workstation assessments
Last Updated April 29, 2022