More people have been working from home in recent times. Whether it’s from an office space, the dining-room table, or a desk in the spare room, we class these workers as lone workers. This means they work remotely, without direct supervision, and perform work tasks separate from their colleagues.

Almost 46.6% of UK employees worked from home in 2020. As an employer, you are required to apply the same Health & Safety responsibilities for a home worker, as you would do for any other worker. 

There are many positive aspects to why remote working is good for your business. However, employers should perform a home working risk assessment for employees who work from home.

Download our free working from home risk assessment template today and keep your employees safe at all times.

Peninsula provides total support on any HR or Health & Safety issue you have. From unlimited advice to our full documentation and risk assessment services, we'll ensure compliance at all times, contact us today.

Is a home working risk assessment a legal requirement?

Yes as part of your Health & Safety requirements, your workplace risk assessment must cover home workers. This includes making sure people working from home have a safe environment in which to work in.

You could choose to visit an employee at home, especially if they have a disability Download our free home working risk assessment template today, and keep all your employees safe. .

What steps to following when conducting a working from home risk assessment

There are many steps you should consider doing when conducting a home working risk assessment, such as deciding how you will keep in touch. Others include:

• Considering the type of work they'll be conducting, and how it can be done safely.
• Offering safety advice on their working from home lay out.
• Regularly having contact with them.

What is a working from home risk assessment template?

Working from home has grown drastically, as we have come accustomed to using better technological methods. We have increasingly utilised using equipment like laptops, tablets, and smartphones for working.

This gives remote workers more flexibility to work and improve their work efficiency. But it can also bring its own problems, like Health & Safety risks, isolation issues and a lack of control on working environments.

A working from home risk assessment template can help employers control safety measures for their staff who work from home regularly.

When an employer is working at home, consider a working from home risk assessment checklist:

• How do you keep regular communication?
• What tasks will be set from them? And for how long?
• Can the tasks be performed safely?
• What control measures are needed to protect them whilst working?

Download our free working from home risk assessment template today so you know you're doing all you can to keep your employees safe.

Lone working without supervision

It’s not always easy to control safety risks that could affect lone workers. When they don’t have access to direct supervision, it’s more likely that workers will meet additional problems.

You should keep regular communication with lone workers, making sure that they are safe and healthy.

Failure to keep regular contact with lone workers can cause them to feel isolated, abandoned, and detached from their team.

Working with display screen equipment

It’s highly likely that remote employees use computers and other screen-facing devices when working from home. The Health & Safety risks that can occur with display screen equipment (DSE) should be monitored and controlled. 

There is very little evidence to show greater DSE risks for employees who temporarily work from home. In these situations, employers aren’t required to ask their workers to carry out DSE risk assessments on their work-setup at home.

Instead, advise your employers on how to complete a basic lone worker risk assessment for working from home. Here are a few measures you can take to reduce display screen work risks:

• Split up long periods of DSE work by taking breaks or changing activities. (Take rest breaks for at least five minutes every hour).
• Avoid awkward or static working postures by changing your position regularly.
• Do stretching exercises and move around more regularly.
• Reduce eye fatigue by blinking more and changing your focus.

Ergonomic equipment

Employers can provide specialist DSE equipment for workers to help with their working needs. This can include allowing workers to take equipment home, like keyboards, mouse, risers, etc.

For those used to larger equipment (like ergonomic chairs, height-adjustable desks), you should encourage workers to recreate a comfortable working environment (by using support cushions, etc.).

Review DSE arrangements

While employees continue to work from home, you should keep regular communication with them. This will set additional steps to help reduce Health & Safety risks. Employees should report:

• Aches or discomfort pains that relate to their DSE work-setup.
• Any adverse effects discovered from working at home.
• Working for longer hours without regular rest breaks.

Find out more about display screen working here.

Mental health and stress

For some employees, working from home can have all sorts of effects on a person’s mental health. These can range from:

• Work-related stress.
• Social anxiety.
• Burnout.
• An intense sense of guilt.

Despite working in isolation or away from colleagues, you should still provide your workers with appropriate support and welfare considerations – just like you would do in the office.

Open communication 

You should place wellbeing procedures where regular communication between you and remote workers is upheld. Even a five-minute morning meeting with lone workers can help deal with issues of isolation and separation.

As an employer, you should be able to recognise signs of stress and loneliness as early as possible. It’s also advised to have an emergency point of contact for employees working from home. This is to ensure that they know the right methods for getting help when they need it.

Find out more about mental health and stress here.

FAQs: Working from home risk assessment

Do employers have the same Health & Safety responsibilities for remote employees?

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers have the same duty of care for homeworkers as those situated in the office.

Is a formal risk assessment always required for employees working from home?

A “suitable and sufficient” risk assessment is required by law. For desk-based roles that carry little risk, a proportionate approach is adequate. Roles with higher risk or particular requirements may require a more comprehensive assessment or in certain cases a home visit.

What happens if a remote employee has a work-related accident at home?

As with all workplace incidents, it may be reportable under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). In many cases, a detailed risk assessment shows that an employer took precautions to prevent harm.

Download our free working from home risk assessment template

Whether your employees work in the office or work from home, they are still under your management and care. You should ensure that they carry out their work safely and without any risks to their health, throughout their entire working career.

Make sure you work to the standards of your Health & Safety policy for remote workers.  And carry out working from home risk assessments, with follow-ups reports for any incidents that may occur.

Peninsula can offers you expert Health & Safety advice and help create a working from home risk assessment template perfect for your business. We can also introduce training to aid compliance.

Peninsula clients also get access to 24/7 HR consultation on safe working requirements. And if you are not yet a client, you can still enjoy free advice from one of our business specialists. Simply call us on 0800 158 2313.