homeworking and health & safety
DESCRIPTION
Homeworking and Health & Safety. IOSH Merseyside Branch Village Hotel, Bromborough 6 November 2007. Nick Wilson, CMIOSH H&S Consultant Regulatory Services Unit. Who on earth……. Chartered H&S Practitioner Formerly HSE Inspector & Nestle NWIOSH Committee member - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Homeworking and Health & Safety
IOSH Merseyside BranchVillage Hotel, Bromborough 6 November 2007
Nick Wilson, CMIOSHH&S Consultant
Regulatory Services Unit
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Who on earth……
Chartered H&S Practitioner
Formerly HSE Inspector & Nestle
NWIOSH Committee member
Accredited training and consultancy
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Programme
Background to homeworking
Legal responsibilities
Hazards and risk control
Further references
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We like statistics
345,000 in 1981 to 680,000 in 1998 (LFS)
2.1 million in 2004 (ONS)
8 million occasional homeworkers
Underestimated?
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Why the increase?
Work life balance
Flexible work ‘right to request’ 2003
Increased efficiency
‘‘A revolution in technology has made the work-from-home dream a reality for millions of
British workers’’www.bbc.co.uk: 2004
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Advantages
• Increased productivity
• Childcare arrangements
• Financial flexibility
• Cost efficiencies
• Reduced travel time
• Greater freedom
• Greater control
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Disadvantages
• Isolation, stress, insecurity
• Poor communication
• H&S disregarded
• Poor working conditions
• Classed as self employed
• Irregularity of work
• Rates of pay
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So am I or aren’t I.......
An arrangement whereby an employee works at home.
Explicit contract term
Occasional basis.
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Oh yes you are
An employee is at work throughout the time when he is in the course of his employment
HSWA 1974, s 52 (1)
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Legal responsibilities
HSAW 1974 S(2) & (3)
Same obligation to homeworkers(information, instruction, training and supervision)
Extends to risks to others
HSAW 1974 S(7)
Reasonable care for themselves
Must cooperate
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Legal responsibilities
MHSW Regs 1999 Reg 3, 10 & 13
Assess the risks
Includes those not in his employment
Provide information and training
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RIDDOR
1st Aid
EaW
PPE
Noise
CoSHH
Man Handling
DSE
PUWER
Workplace
Regulations
Regs
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Here’s some good news
Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regs 1992 do not apply to domestic premises
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providing…
Common entrance
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Kids - don’t you just love em
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Hazards and controls
ENVIRONMENTAL
• Space
• Lighting
• Ventilation
• Temperature
▪ Ideally separate room
▪ Good access
▪ Sheds, garages, attics, cellars not recommended
HSAW Act 1974 & MHSW Regs 1999
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Hazards and controls
VDU’s
• Back problems
• MSD’s
• Ergonomics
• Fatigue
▪ Suitable for purpose
▪ VDU assessment
▪ Suitable seating
▪ Provide information
The Health and Safety (DSE) Regulations 1992
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Ideal?
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Hazards and controls
WORK EQUIPMENT
• Cuts, burns, entanglement
• Noise/vibration
• Electrical danger
• Storage
▪ Suitability
▪ Maintained
▪ Protective devices
▪ Training provided
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
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Hazards and controls
ELECTRICITY
• Electric shock
• Fire
▪ Domestic system suitable
▪ Maintained and inspected
▪ Circuit breakers
▪ Smoke detectors
The Electricity at Work Regs 1989
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Hazards and controls
FIRE
• No proper storage
• No regular collection
• Fire fighting equipment?
▪ Means of exit
▪ Smoke alarm
▪ Fire fighting measures
HSAW Act 1974 & MHSW Regs 1999
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Hazards and controls
MANUAL HANDLING
• Bulky objects
• Files
• Deliveries
• Lack of assistance
▪ Inform, instruct and train
▪ Provide lifting aids
▪ Improve layout
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
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Hazards and controls
SLIPS AND TRIPS
• Cluttered workspace
• Trailing cables
• Contaminants
• Change in level
▪ Appropriate furniture
▪ Cable tidies
▪ Spillage kit
▪ Footwear
HSAW Act 1974 & MHSW Regs 1999
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Hazards and controls
HARMFUL SUBSTANCES
• Breathing difficulties
• Skin irritation
• Eye irritation
• Ingestion
▪ CoSHH assessment
▪ Adequate ventilation
▪ Suitable PPE
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regs 2002
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Hazards and controls
STRESS
• Isolation
• Poor communication
• Excessive demand
▪ Face to face contact
▪ Inclusion in events
▪ Office meetings
▪ Dedicated line
HSAW Act 1974 & MHSW Regs 1999
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Should I be worried?
76 people die every week
2.8 million people require hospital treatment
Children most vulnerable 0 – 4 yrs
Boys worse than girls
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Research Report 262, HSL
If we don’t lift properly that’s our problem
Sometimes when there’s a pile of them they get a bit wobbly.
They like to help out…sometimes I give them little jobs to do
They’d be pulled up by other people
If you phone you never get through
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Managing the risks
Develop a homeworking policy
Carry out risk assessments (self – assessments)
Provide training (computer based packages)
Encourage accident reporting
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Home visit v self assessment
Depends on work
Must not what to look out for
Use checklist
Target high risk scores
Get photographs of work area
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Reference material
Homeworking guidance for employers and employees on Health and Safety (INDG226), 2003
Working alone in safety (INDG73), 2002D
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cont’d
HSL/2002/18 – Scoping exercise for research into the H&S of homeworkers – HSL, O'Hara, 2002 d
Health and safety of homeworkers: Good practice case
studies – Research Report 262, HSL, O'Hara, 2004
The National Group on Homeworking: www.ngh.org.uk
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Nick Wilson- Health and Safety [email protected]
0151 242 7904
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