Who is responsible for my health and safety as a homeworker?

If you are worried that your homework may be affecting your health or safety, or that of your family, contact your union or an advice agency. As a homeworker, you have certain rights under Health and Safety laws.

Employers must carry out a risk assessment of the work activities carried out by a homeworker. This assessment includes identifying any hazards, who is at risk, then taking action to remove the hazards or to reduce them as far as possible.

The employer must write down the results of the risk assessment, do follow-up checks from time to time and take further action if necessary.

Some common hazards that homeworkers face are:

• using electrical equipment;
• using certain substances (e.g. glue/adhesives);
• working extensively with VDUs;
• not taking appropriate breaks (under pressure to get work completed);
• working in isolation;
• risks to children from work equipment; and
• security threats – as a result of having expensive equipment stored in the home or giving out home telephone numbers to clients or customers of the business.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has produced a booklet called Homeworking: Guidance for Employers and Employees on Health and Safety. It gives useful information on the steps that employers should take to protect the health and safety of their homeworkers. The leaflet is available free at www.hse.gov.uk or from the HSE Books publications line on: 01787 881165.