A Guide To Protecting Homeworkers’ Health & Safety

The coronavirus landscape is one that fluctuates and changes on a regular basis, sometimes quite significantly - and we’re just starting to feel the impact of the latest Omicron variant, with talk now being spoken of a potential lockdown to help prevent the spread of the virus. 

 

Earlier in the month, the government issued advice stating that from December 13th people in England who are able to work from home should do so, while all those unable to work from still going into the workplace. 

 

For businesses, this means that you will now have to make sure you manage homeworkers’ health and safety from afar, whether they work from home long term or if they split their time between home and the workplace (known as hybrid working). 

 

Most of the time, your homeworkers will face very little risk during office hours so it shouldn’t be too complicated to afford them the necessary levels of protection. However, a risk assessment should be carried out so you can ascertain what risks might present themselves and how these might be mitigated. 

 

Elements to consider when carrying out your assessment include stress and poor mental health, their overall working environment and their display screen equipment. 

 

It is unlikely that you will need to visit the actual premises in order to do your risk assessment, unless you have workers with disabilities who may have special requirements. It may also be appropriate to pay them a visit if the work they’re doing involves hazards like chemicals or tools. 

 

Managing the risks of stress is particularly vital when it comes to homeworkers. It can be harder to maintain social links when people aren’t in the office, as well as being more difficult to provide appropriate support - and this can lead people to feeling disconnected and isolated, which can drive stress and aggravate pre-existing mental health issues. 

 

The Health and Safety Executive has just published some useful guidance for businesses to help them over the next few weeks and the possibility of a return to home working. 

 

Advice includes talking about the possibilities of becoming stressed or mentally unwell, involving them in risk assessments, making them aware of occupational support, having regular touch-in meetings and so on. 

 

Lockdown chatter suggests that the majority of people are in support of a two-week firebreaker in December, with research from Savanta ComRes revealing that 51 per cent would back a Christmas lockdown. 

 

On Wednesday (December 15th), Downing Street was still insisting that there are still no plans in place to go beyond Plan B and introduce stronger restrictions - but the landscape 

 

could well change in the next few days, so putting plans in place to protect homeworkers now could be a good move to make. 

 

Are you looking into health and safety courses you can take at home? Get in touch with Hampshire Training today.