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As an employer, it's paramount to ensure the safety of your workers when they are working from home. This guide covers the necessary steps to ensure a safe home workspace, addressing electrical safety, emergency procedures, and more.
Encourage workers to regularly check for damage to electrical sockets, plugs, and leads. Provide guidance on identifying potential hazards and educate them on the risks of overloading extension cables.
Ensure that any electrical equipment you provide is safe and used in a safe environment.
Advise workers on maintaining a hazard-free work area to prevent slips and trips. This includes managing obstructions, spillages, and trailing wires.
Ensure that home workers are aware of emergency procedures, including essential contact numbers and steps to take if they can't reach you.
Address the risks associated with lack of direct supervision. Provide guidance on managing these risks, referencing existing resources on lone working.
Understand your responsibility to report accidents under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). Not all home incidents are reportable, but those related to work activities or equipment are.
Refer to the HSE's guidance to determine what incidents need to be reported. Your responsibilities for home workers under RIDDOR are the same as for all other workers.
Creating a safe work environment for home workers involves regular equipment checks, safety advice, emergency procedures, addressing lone working risks, and adhering to reporting regulations. These steps ensure that workers are as safe at home as in a traditional workplace.
