Homeworkers: are they affecting their own health?
About 3.83 million people now work from home at least some of the time; that's a staggering 13.1% of the British workforce.
The argument for allowing homeworking is compelling. BT claims homeworkers save them an average of £6,000 a year each, are 20 per cent more productive and take fewer sick days.
Telework Exchange, a support network for US government teleworkers, believes an employee who works from home three days a week can save £3,775 a year on commuting costs and spare the environment four tons of pollutants.
With such incredible cost savings it is easy to see why the practice of home and smart working is catching on. However this method of working creates new and difficult challenges for our health and safety professionals.
The lack of social contact caused by working away from other colleagues can create an over-commitment to the job. Employees may be less inclined to take breaks; this can have an impact on the physical health of the individual.
Safety culture may be affected, with remote employees less likely to follow safe systems of work. Then there is a danger that homeworkers will not feel the need to report minor accidents, incidents and near misses. This is often because their perception is that the events are of no significance to others and may reflect negatively on them and their agreement to work at home.
Employers have the same obligations to protect the health, safety and welfare of homeworkers as they do for employees who are based on-site, so these pitfalls must be avoided.
The employer's obligation includes the provision of the necessary information, training and supervision to ensure the homeworker's health and safety. Homeworkers must also take reasonable care of themselves and others who may be affected by their work.
Article by
Cardinus Risk Management Limited
Back
