|
All guides to home working and
teleworking stress the importance of making
proper provision to comply with health and safety
legislation. But how does one know what this is?
The Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) have now produced a booklet aimed at
answering such questions. Entitled Homeworking:
guidance for employers and employees on health
and safety, it covers the legislation applicable
to homeworking, and advises how to take steps to
comply with it.
Did you know...?
As a taster here are some
snippets for you to get the flavour of
what is required - and possibly to see if
your organisation is up to speed on
health and safety.
Most of the Regulations
made under the Health and Safety at Work
Act (1974) apply to homeworkers as well
as employees working at an employer's
workplace.
Employers are required to
carry out a "Risk Assessment"
connected with working from home.
Employers who have 5 or more employees
(including homeworkers) are required to
record the findings of the assessment and
what step they have taken to deal with
them.
Employers must ensure
that proper training has been provided
for use of equipment and handling of
materials at home
Employers must ensure
that the regulations covering working
with VDUs are complied with, including
those regarding comfortable working
positions at the workstation and the
taking of regular breaks
Employers also need to
ensure that they supply adequate first
aid provisions for homeworkers (what this
is will vary with the job)
Employees have a duty to
report and keep a record of work-related
accidents, injuries and incidents.
This is a helpful little
booklet, well referenced to allow
employers and employees to follow up
particular lines of enquiry.
|
| The HSE booklet
Homeworking is
available online in pdf format: HSE
Health and Safety for Homeworking
or from your local HSE office (you are
advised to check the local telephone directory),
or from:
HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury,
Suffolk, CO10 6FS
Tel: +44 (0)17187 313995
For other enquiries contact the HSE infoline on
0541 545500 or visit their website. |
|
