What to do about Homeworkers

Employers’ Free Guide

What to do about Homeworkers

If you have people working from home, using their computers, then this simple guide is for you.

What are your legal obligations?

Do you have to give any advice or specific training?

Do you need to carryout a risk assessment?

Who is classed as a DSE User?

Who is a Remote Worker?

Who are Temporary at homeworkers?

Published by Hub-4 Limited. Specialist DSE compliance consultancy. https://www.hub-4.co.uk +44 (0) 1822 819 786. VAT No. 152 7958 79 Company Registration Number 07841526

Your Legal Obligations.

You have a Duty of Care responsibility towards all employees, so you need to provide advice on their situation and assess any risks that might be present.

What do the HSE say? https://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/workers/home.htm ‘Working with display screen equipment’ For those people who are working at home on a long-term basis, the risks associated with using display screen equipment (DSE) must be controlled. This includes them doing workstation assessments at home.

There is no increased risk from DSE work for those working at home temporarily. So in that situation employers do not need to ask them to carry out home workstation assessments.

If they are a DSE user then full DSE compliance structures come into force.

If they are working temporarily from home then a full DSE compliance structure is not needed BUT advice needs to be given and a Duty of Care assessment is to take place.

DSE compliance structures: The 7 key requirements to be met Train in best practice at a workstation, so they can answer the questions within the DSE Assessment.

Assess whether the workstation and environment are safe Meet the Minimum Requirements as set out in the Regs.

Provide BREAKS from computer work Provide an eye sight test on request Tell them what you are doing about the Regs Put right what has been identified as a risk as soon as possible Published by Hub-4 Limited. Specialist DSE compliance consultancy. https://www.hub-4.co.uk +44 (0) 1822 819 786. VAT No. 152 7958 79 Company Registration Number 07841526

Answers to Questions Do you have to give any advice or specific training?

Yes to both and to everyone working from home ++ Do you need to carryout a risk assessment?

Yes. A DSE Assessment for DSE users and a Duty of Care Assessment for the others. ++ Who is classed as a DSE User?

Someone who cannot do their job without a computer and uses one for at least an hour a day. ++ Who is a Remote Worker?

Someone using a computer away from their normal place of work for a period of time. ++ Who are those working at home temporarily?

Difficult to know. When the HSE published this, working from home had just been introduced and this response meant that employers were not obliged to classify everyone as a DSE user and provide a full office set up and a full DSE compliance structure for them.

They would need however to provide advice and support into best practice whilst working from home and ask for a completed risk assessment of their situation.

Published by Hub-4 Limited. Specialist DSE compliance consultancy. https://www.hub-4.co.uk +44 (0) 1822 819 786. VAT No. 152 7958 79 Company Registration Number 07841526

HOWEVER As time goes on many employers with personnel working from home who are expected back in the office when enabled, have chosen to carryout the full DSE compliance structure and provide DSE training and a DSE Assessment.

Clarity will be forthcoming as to future use of offices, and those working part time at home and part time from the office will be classified as a DSE user in both locations.

Can Hub 4 help you?

We can offer you free advice. Call our helpline on 01822 819 786 + We can offer you THREE DSE related online courses The 3 DSE Courses: DSEasy Office: For office based DSE users. https://www.hub4.co.uk/dseasyoffice DSEasy Home: For DSE Users working from Home. https://www.hub4.co.uk/dseasyhome/ DSEasy Remote: For those working from home on a temporary basis (because of Covid for example) and are expected to return to the office. https://www.hub-4.co.uk/dseasyremote/ Included in DSEasy Remote is this Link to our FREE Homeworkers e-book https://www.hub-4.co.uk/homeworkers-e-book/

Published by Hub-4 Limited. Specialist DSE compliance consultancy. https://www.hub-4.co.uk +44 (0) 1822 819 786. VAT No. 152 7958 79 Company Registration Number 07841526