Homeworking
Guidance on homeworking
The following guidance applies to those working from home on a non-contractual agreement undertaking low-risk work (i.e. workstation based).
Working safely remotely in the home
As we move forward, many of us are able to return to the office but also many continue to work from home, either through necessity or through choice. The Hybrid Working Framework is available to guide Schools and Departments through this process. On that SharePoint site, you will find examples of workstation set up, ‘at work’ workspace ideas, guidance for managers and staff as well as running hybrid meetings.
Homeworking risk assessments
To support staff working from home, a new remote working training package was introduced in May 2020. All staff working remotely are now required to refresh their display screen workstation training before completing a self-assessment to evaluate the arrangements they have in place. The training package can be accessed at https://www.ed.ac.uk/health-safety/training/e-learning/cardinus/covid19-training
We hope that this training and self-assessment process will enable the staff member to improve their home workstation set up and tailor it to their personal requirements. There may be staff for which further support or equipment is required, and there will be information available through the system on how to achieve this.
The Cardinus online assessment system is administered by around 100 staff who cover all areas of the University. These administrators can review your assessment to identify particular issues and produce reports from the system to ensure that actions are managed in consultation with line managers and school safety advisers. A contact list of administrators for each area can be found here.
We would encourage all staff to try and work as safely as possible and, most importantly, take regular breaks throughout the working day.
Useful resources
Posturite Working From Home Helpful Hints
Posturite - Laptop Helpful Hints
Posturite - homeworker cheat sheet - added 8th March
Working from home - eat well, feel well
Working from home - fire safety
Working from home - it's good to talk
Working from home - medical emergencies
Working from home - stretching and exercising
Working from home - your comfort
Equipment and technology
The University is responsible for ensuring any equipment supplied to employees is safe to use when handed over and all applicable user checks must be undertaken when using at home. If any equipment requires PAT or any other formal checks, the staff member working at home would be expected to bring that equipment back in for those checks as required. However, general PC equipment is not normally subjected to PAT testing.
The University generally does not supply workstations or other furniture for work at home and staff would be expected to provide their own.
If a laptop is supplied by the University, then a suitable docking station or riser should also be supplied, as well as external keyboard and mouse, to ensure staff can set up their workstations correctly at home.
Posturite have produced a useful infographic to assist with using computing equipment in a better way either at home or when on the go - Ergonomics on the go - infographic
Training
The staff member should complete the Cardinus training (if not already undertaken at work) and then undertake a risk assessment within the Cardinus system for their home workstation. Information on Cardinus training can be found at: https://www.ed.ac.uk/health-safety/training/e-learning/cardinus
We would not encourage University staff to visit staff at home to undertake a workstation assessment. However, if a decision is made locally to attend a staff member’s home, the lone working policy should be followed: https://www.ed.ac.uk/health-safety/guidance/workplaces-general/looh
Fire Safety in the Home
The Fire Safety Unit have produced a guidance document for staff and students with fire safety advice and practical measures to keep the risk from uncontrolled fire at home as low as possible: http://www.docs.csg.ed.ac.uk/Safety/fire/guidance/Fire_Safety_in_the_Home.pdf