Can you Make an Accident Claim While Working from Home?
Is my employer responsible for my safety at home?
Under the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines, employers have the same health and safety responsibilities for people working from home as they do for any other employee.
Whether you work from home all the time or you’re hybrid working, your employer should discuss your home set-up with you to make sure that your working environment is safe. This could involve you filling out a self-assessment form, or having a call to speak about any concerns you may have.
Your employer should also consider factors such as:
- How they will keep in touch with you when you’re at home
- How your work can be done safely
- The type of work you’ll be doing (and for how long)
- Whether measures need to be put in place to protect you
There is no legal requirement for employers to provide home workers with office furniture such as chairs or desks. But if it’s decided that you need additional display screen equipment – or DSE – such as a laptop or monitor, your employer should provide these and make sure they’re safe to use.
Who should maintain my work equipment?
It’s likely that if you’re working from home, you’ll spend the majority of your day using electrical devices like laptops, monitors and phones. It is your employer’s responsibility to make sure this equipment is safe to use and regularly maintained.
Under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations, your employer also has a responsibility to provide advice and guidance on how to use work equipment safely. But it will be up to you to put the training you receive into action. This involves taking steps such as:
- Arranging equipment and furniture so there are no trailing leads or cables
- Checking plugs, wires and cables are in good condition
- Checking you have enough lighting to avoid eye strain
- Taking regular breaks from looking at your screens
Can I get compensation for an accident at home?
If you’ve suffered an accident while working from home, you might have wondered what your rights are in terms of claiming for compensation.
Making a work from home claim isn’t always straightforward, as the amount of control your employer has over your home workstation is limited. But if you’re able to prove your injuries were a direct result of your employer’s negligence, you may be able to make a claim.
Usually, these cases will centre around unsafe equipment provided or the type of work that an employer has asked you to carry out. This is because both these incidents can be directly linked to an employer’s negligence.
If your injuries were caused by something that was within your control, such as a trip hazard, you would not be able to make a claim against your employer.
Our accident at work solicitors are experienced in these types of claims, and could help you get the compensation you deserve. To find out more, get in touch with our friendly advisors for a free initial consultation.
