Homeworking
Many University staff work from home as a hybrid working arrrangement. The training package linked below is intended to provide some basic tips on how to set up a home work area.
Moodle course - Homeworking Essentials
Risk assessment and computer workstation assessment
Risk assessments should include consideration of any additional risks that may be associated with staff working at home. In most cases this will be office work activities and the main risks will be associated with computer use.
Legally compliant workstation are required for such work, whether it is done within the University or at home.
If working from home you may be constrained by the equipment, space and furniture that you have available. As a general rule, you should only work from home when you can set up a work area and equipment that is safe to use and legally compliant. The University's online display screen equipment course and workstation risk assessment will allow you to make an assessment of any work area.
The University understands that staff may need additional equipment to help with work from home and is sympathetic to providing support for this, within the constraints of budget and practical limitations. You should discuss any requirements with your manager. If you are contractually required to work from home, rather than just being permitted to do so, the University has a greater degree of responsibility for providing suitable equipment.
For practical guidance on what's needed you can access our "Working Safely with Computers" course via the link. This provides training and a workstation self-assessment that should be used for home or University workstations. HSE advise that for most users self-assessment of home workstations is sufficient and managers are not expected to make home visits to check work areas other than in exceptional cuircumstances.
Use of laptops
Use of a laptop alone will NOT provide a suitable or legally compliant workstation. If you use the integral keyboard on a laptop without a separate monitor you are very likely to suffer from neck and shoulder pain within a short time through constantly looking down at the screen. Safe use normally requires, at a minimum, the use of a separate keyboard and mouse or use of a separate monitor to allow correct positioning of the workstation elements.