Homeworker

Your legal responsibility

You have a legal duty to assess the health and safety risks to all staff in the workplace, including homeworkers.

A homeworker is an employee who either permanently works from home or splits their working time between the workplace and home (sometimes called hybrid working).

Which laws apply?

The following laws and regulations set out employers' responsibilities for managing health and safety risks, including those faced by employees working remotely or from home

1. Manging workplace risks

These regulations require employers to manage workplace risks through effective planning, control, and review of health and safety measures, including assessing and addressing risks faced by employees working from home:

• Reg 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• Reg 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000

2. General duty to protect employees

These laws require employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of their employees. This duty also applies to employees who are working remotely or from home:

• Section 2(1) and 2(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• Section 4(1) and 4(2) of Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978

3. Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

These regulations require employers to ensure that staff who regularly use display screen equipment (DSE) for a substantial part of their daily work are not exposed to health and safety risks, whether they work in the office or from home:

• The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations as amended by the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous amendments) Regulations 2002
• The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992

4. Workplace standards

These regulations require employers to ensure workplaces meet minimum standards for health, safety, and welfare. While they do not directly apply to home workspaces, guidance from the Health and Safety Executive makes it clear that employers are still responsible for taking reasonable steps to ensure that employees' homeworking environments are safe and suitable for work:

• The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
• The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993

Risk assessments

The risk assessment you carry out should follow the 5-step approach to risk assessments as recommended by the Health and Safety Executive.

You should carry out the risk assessment at the homeworker's workstation. This usually involves a home visit, but if that's not possible, the employee can complete a self-assessment using a questionnaire, which you should review and use to advise on any necessary actions.

What to consider in a homeworker risk assessment

Computer setup, workstations and seating

You must ensure that homeworkers have workstations set up to minimise the risk of injury to the upper body and limbs, just as you would for office-based staff. This includes considering chair height and support, screen height and positioning, and the type and placement of the keyboard and mouse.

Environment

While you cannot control the physical conditions of an employee's home, you are legally required to take reasonable steps to ensure their homeworking setup is safe and suitable. This includes carrying out risk assessments and providing guidance on proper ventilation, lighting, and comfortable room temperature. You should work collaboratively with your homeworkers to resolve any health and wellbeing issues and make reasonable adjustments where necessary.

Slips, trips and falls

While you can't control the home environment, you're required to take reasonable steps – such as conducting risk assessments – to ensure homeworkers' homes are safe, free from hazards like holes, uneven surfaces, or obstructions, and that staircases have suitable handrails.

You should also provide guidance and support to help them maintain a safe workspace, working with them to address any health and safety concerns.

Work stress

Homeworkers should know how to report work-related stress and access support or request reasonable adjustments to manage their workload.

Line managers should maintain regular contact – especially with those working alone – and be trained to recognise early signs of stress. This allows for timely adjustments before the homeworker's physical or mental health begins to decline. Managers should offer empathetic support through regular phone or video calls, allowing homeworkers to discuss progress, raise concerns, and share pressures, helping prevent isolation from the team or organisation.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Stress Management Standards highlight 6 key aspects of work design that must be effectively managed to keep workplace stress within acceptable limits.

Display screen equipment

You're legally required to provide free annual eye tests for homeworkers who spend most of their working time using display screen equipment. Homeworkers should also be informed of ways to protect their health, such as taking regular breaks from prolonged sitting and giving their eyes frequent rest from continuous screen use.

Electrical equipment safety

You must ensure that any electrical equipment used by homeworkers, as far as it's under your control, meets relevant safety standards and is properly maintained. If you supply the equipment, you should also carry out regular inspections and maintenance to keep it safe and compliant.

Fire safety

You are responsible for ensuring any electrical equipment you provide to homeworkers is safe to use. Homeworkers must regularly check their workstation area for avoidable fire risks, including exposed wiring, loose sockets, or damaged electrical equipment and connections.

First aid

You must provide all homeworkers with a suitably stocked first-aid kit, and train them to use its contents.

Disabled homeworker

If a homeworker has a disability, you are legally required to make reasonable adjustments so they can work from home as effectively as non-disabled colleagues. Your risk assessment should consider whether their workstation and equipment meet their needs and the tasks they perform, minimising any health and safety risks as far as reasonably practicable. This may involve providing specialist equipment, such as a chair with adequate lumbar support or assistive software for employees with visual impairments.