HSE ISSUES PRACTICAL GUIDANCE FOR HOMEWORKING

HSE Press Release: E129:04 - 10 September 2004

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a report on homeworking providing a series of good practice case studies, which together with existing guidance offers practical assistance for employers and homeworkers.

The report, which has been developed in partnership with companies employing homeworkers, illustrates good health and safety practice through a selection of real case studies developed in the four industry sectors of textiles, packing/assembling/finishing, electrical and electronic, and business services and computing. While the case studies refer to specific industrial sectors, there is general information that will be useful to employers and homeworkers in other industries.

Jane Willis, Policy Director at HSE said:

"These examples of good practice show how employers and homeworkers can identify work-related hazards and take appropriate measures to reduce the risks associated with homeworking."

"Work-related incidents can affect not just homeworkers, but others in their home, including children and visitors. With homeworking, there are special factors like the presence of children, that can turn relatively minor hazards into significant risks and it is really important that employers address them."

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) employers have the same obligations to protect the health, safety and welfare of homeworkers who are employees, as they do for employees on-site.

Copies of the report can be downloaded from the HSE website at: www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr262.htm

Notes to editors

1. Evidence from national data sets such as the Census and Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicate that the numbers of people working at home are increasing. Analysis of LFS data from 1981 and 1998 shows that the numbers working mainly at home have doubled in that period, from 345,920 (1% of the employed workforce) in 1981, to 680,612 (2.5% of the employed workforce) in 1998. These figures are likely to be an underestimate as some homeworkers may be reluctant to admit to homeworking.
   
   
2. Employers also have responsibilities for self-employed workers. If a person working under the control and direction of a company is treated as self-employed for tax and national insurance purposes, they may be treated as an employee for health and safety purposes. Companies may need to take appropriate action to protect them.

Press enquiries

All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office