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Homeworking and Health & Safety

IOSH Merseyside BranchVillage Hotel, Bromborough 6 November 2007

Nick Wilson, CMIOSHH&S Consultant

Regulatory Services Unit

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Who on earth……

Chartered H&S Practitioner

Formerly HSE Inspector & Nestle

NWIOSH Committee member

Accredited training and consultancy

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Programme

Background to homeworking

Legal responsibilities

Hazards and risk control

Further references

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We like statistics

345,000 in 1981 to 680,000 in 1998 (LFS)

2.1 million in 2004 (ONS)

8 million occasional homeworkers

Underestimated?

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Why the increase?

Work life balance

Flexible work ‘right to request’ 2003

Increased efficiency

‘‘A revolution in technology has made the work-from-home dream a reality for millions of

British workers’’www.bbc.co.uk: 2004

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Advantages

• Increased productivity

• Childcare arrangements

• Financial flexibility

• Cost efficiencies

• Reduced travel time

• Greater freedom

• Greater control

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Disadvantages

• Isolation, stress, insecurity

• Poor communication

• H&S disregarded

• Poor working conditions

• Classed as self employed

• Irregularity of work

• Rates of pay

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So am I or aren’t I.......

An arrangement whereby an employee works at home.

Explicit contract term

Occasional basis.

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Oh yes you are

An employee is at work throughout the time when he is in the course of his employment

HSWA 1974, s 52 (1)

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Legal responsibilities

HSAW 1974 S(2) & (3)

Same obligation to homeworkers(information, instruction, training and supervision)

Extends to risks to others

HSAW 1974 S(7)

Reasonable care for themselves

Must cooperate

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Legal responsibilities

MHSW Regs 1999 Reg 3, 10 & 13

Assess the risks

Includes those not in his employment

Provide information and training

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RIDDOR

1st Aid

EaW

PPE

Noise

CoSHH

Man Handling

DSE

PUWER

Workplace

Regulations

Regs

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Here’s some good news

Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regs 1992 do not apply to domestic premises

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providing…

Common entrance

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Kids - don’t you just love em

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Hazards and controls

ENVIRONMENTAL

• Space

• Lighting

• Ventilation

• Temperature

▪ Ideally separate room

▪ Good access

▪ Sheds, garages, attics, cellars not recommended

HSAW Act 1974 & MHSW Regs 1999

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Hazards and controls

VDU’s

• Back problems

• MSD’s

• Ergonomics

• Fatigue

▪ Suitable for purpose

▪ VDU assessment

▪ Suitable seating

▪ Provide information

The Health and Safety (DSE) Regulations 1992

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Ideal?

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Hazards and controls

WORK EQUIPMENT

• Cuts, burns, entanglement

• Noise/vibration

• Electrical danger

• Storage

▪ Suitability

▪ Maintained

▪ Protective devices

▪ Training provided

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

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Hazards and controls

ELECTRICITY

• Electric shock

• Fire

▪ Domestic system suitable

▪ Maintained and inspected

▪ Circuit breakers

▪ Smoke detectors

The Electricity at Work Regs 1989

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Hazards and controls

FIRE

• No proper storage

• No regular collection

• Fire fighting equipment?

▪ Means of exit

▪ Smoke alarm

▪ Fire fighting measures

HSAW Act 1974 & MHSW Regs 1999

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Hazards and controls

MANUAL HANDLING

• Bulky objects

• Files

• Deliveries

• Lack of assistance

▪ Inform, instruct and train

▪ Provide lifting aids

▪ Improve layout

Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

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Hazards and controls

SLIPS AND TRIPS

• Cluttered workspace

• Trailing cables

• Contaminants

• Change in level

▪ Appropriate furniture

▪ Cable tidies

▪ Spillage kit

▪ Footwear

HSAW Act 1974 & MHSW Regs 1999

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Hazards and controls

HARMFUL SUBSTANCES

• Breathing difficulties

• Skin irritation

• Eye irritation

• Ingestion

▪ CoSHH assessment

▪ Adequate ventilation

▪ Suitable PPE

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regs 2002

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Hazards and controls

STRESS

• Isolation

• Poor communication

• Excessive demand

▪ Face to face contact

▪ Inclusion in events

▪ Office meetings

▪ Dedicated line

HSAW Act 1974 & MHSW Regs 1999

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Should I be worried?

76 people die every week

2.8 million people require hospital treatment

Children most vulnerable 0 – 4 yrs

Boys worse than girls

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Research Report 262, HSL

If we don’t lift properly that’s our problem

Sometimes when there’s a pile of them they get a bit wobbly.

They like to help out…sometimes I give them little jobs to do

They’d be pulled up by other people

If you phone you never get through

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Managing the risks

Develop a homeworking policy

Carry out risk assessments (self – assessments)

Provide training (computer based packages)

Encourage accident reporting

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Home visit v self assessment

Depends on work

Must not what to look out for

Use checklist

Target high risk scores

Get photographs of work area

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Reference material

Homeworking guidance for employers and employees on Health and Safety (INDG226), 2003

Working alone in safety (INDG73), 2002D

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cont’d

HSL/2002/18 – Scoping exercise for research into the H&S of homeworkers – HSL, O'Hara, 2002 d

Health and safety of homeworkers: Good practice case

studies – Research Report 262, HSL, O'Hara, 2004

The National Group on Homeworking: www.ngh.org.uk

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Nick Wilson- Health and Safety Consultantnick.wilson@weightmans.com

0151 242 7904

Weightmans LLP SolicitorsLiverpool Manchester Leicester

Birmingham London