Risk assessment
You must make sure your risk assessment covers home workers.
The greatest option for many firms to secure their staff and stop the Covid-19 virus's spread has been to transition to home-based working. And while working from home is undoubtedly the safest option for most people in the current global world, there are several health and safety concerns that can cause problems for home workers who lack the necessary tools or oversight that is typically provided in an office setting.
[if !supportLists]Ø [endif]Whether your team has made a permanent move to working from home or it’s just a temporary solution, here’s what you need to know about working from home risk assessment; health and safety and risk assessments.
Fire and Electrical Safety
When working from home, fire and electrical safety must be taken into account just like they would in an office setting. Employees who work from home may be more vulnerable because there aren't the usual equipment inspections and maintenance procedures that are performed in most workstations.
Some electrical equipment may require regular testing to ensure it is still safe to use, and employees should either know how to test their equipment or have access to a testing service.
Lone Working
Working alone presents more risks than working in a space with other people, as there is often nobody around in the event of an accident or emergency when someone is working From Home Assessment
. Whilst instances such as illness or injury are rare, working from home alone does present a mental health risk as well as a physical one.
When assessing the risks of working alone at home, consider:
[if !supportLists]1. [endif]Do you have the contact details of a supervisor or co-worker you can easily get in touch with?
[if !supportLists]2. [endif]Are you working in a place that is secure?
[if !supportLists]3. [endif]Is there a regular ‘checking in’ system in place with your employer?
[if !supportLists]4. [endif]Is any expensive equipment or confidential information kept secure when not in use?
[if !supportLists]5. [endif]Do you know who to contact in the case of an emergency?
Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, employers have a legal obligation to manage the risks of working alone for home or lone workers. If an employee identifies a lone working risk through their assessment, it is the responsibility of their employer to take action so that a solution is found and the individual is protected from harm.
Slips, Trips and Falls
Workers are just as likely to experience slips, trips and falls whilst working from home as they are in the workplace, and without other colleagues around or general health and safety checks taking place to reduce these risks, the danger is potentially even greater. It is easy to keep a home workspace free of hazards, but potential causes of trips or falls should be identified in a working from home risk assessment.
When looking around a home workspace, consider:
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Are there any loose carpets, rugs or floor coverings?
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Are stairs, doorways and entrances clear of hazards?
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Are there wires, bags and boxes on the floor of the desk area?
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Are there obstacles on the route from the kitchen to the workspace that could cause trips or falls?
In most cases, slips trips and falls whilst working from home can be prevented by keeping a space tidy. Equipment in particular can pose a risk however, so it should be included in the risk assessment.
Manual Handling
Manual handling is a significant cause of accidents and injuries in the workplace, and the risk is just as high for those who are working from home as it is for those in an office. Whilst most home workers rarely undertake strenuous or difficult manual handling tasks, lifting and transporting objects and equipment may be required from time to time, and this must be done safely. Home Worker Risk Assessment
Whilst assessing the safety of manual handling during home working, consider:
Are all supplies close by and accessible from the workstation?
Has instruction and knowledge on proper manual handling techniques been given?
Are bulky goods kept in locations that don't need risky overhead lifting??
Whilst working from home risk assesment, if equipment needs to be transported then it is also important to include the potential manual handling risks of this as part of the risk assessment.
Because they differ greatly from person to person and are difficult to manage while working from home, stress, wellbeing, and mental health issues are among the most challenging risk assessments. The first step in lowering these risks is to be aware of what to watch out for and have systems in place to deal with these problems, and there is a tonne of advice available to assist with this.
There are some risk assessments written by Posturegroup for work-from-home jobs. Home worker risk assessment form is the best solution for all risk factor!