MANUAL HANDLING & ERGONOMICS
HOME AND AWAY
Maintaining the health and safety of homeworkers can be a challenge. Colin Stuart, managing director of Baker Stuart offers guidance on how to monitor a hidden workforce that is out of sight but not out of mind.
More and more organisations are recognising the true potential of flexible working and as a result Britain’s army of agile staff continues to grow. Last year it was estimated that up to four million workers are based at home – and this number is undoubtedly set to increase.
In today’s modern world, many of us already own the technology required for remote working, therefore turning our homes into workplaces can be a simple procedure. However, while completing tasks from home has got easier over the years, control of health and safety has become significantly more difficult. Many employers are still under the impression that the safety of a homeworker is not their responsibility – but this is not the case.
Whether an employee works at home permanently, temporarily or simply on an ad-hoc basis, a duty of care still lies with the employer, in fact, they are just as responsible for homeworking staff as they are for those in the company office.
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When you consider the fact that homeworkers work in uncontrolled, unmeasured and unseen environments, the potential for health and safety risks can be vast. Trip hazards, electrical dangers, unsuitable furniture, potential fire risks can all be present, and there is a good chance that as an employer you are completely unaware of such issues. It therefore goes without saying that ensuring safety in the home is not a simple task.
THE FIRST STEP Safety in the home begins by insisting that staff choose to work from a designated environment or workstation. This may sound obvious, but mobile devices such as laptops, mobile phones and tablets open up the options for where staff can physically work, and therefore various areas around the house become a temptation.
While the comfort of the sofa or the lure of the garden during the sunny weather might seem like a good
option, these spaces can increase the chances of musculoskeletal injuries and postural fatigue. They can also increase the likelihood of eyestrain and the conditions of these comfortable spaces may also be unsuitable.
A good example of misjudging suitability of spaces is when people believe they have the ideal workplace in the garage, shed, attic or basement, but these environments are only appropriate if they provide sufficient space, adequate ventilation, good air quality and suitable lighting – all of which are paramount when selecting a home workstation. The temptation to work on the kitchen table with power leads trailing to the wall with the evening meal on the go and the kids running around is a disaster waiting to happen.
SEPARATE WORK FROM HOME Once a suitable space has been selected, the environment should be made to adequately support the worker in their daily tasks. If possible, the
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