TL;DR
This working from home toolbox talk covers the same risks as office work (posture, eyes, breaks), plus trailing cables, overloaded sockets and makeshift furniture. Pick a stable spot, apply office setup rules at home, and tell your employer what equipment or assessment you need.
Home working started as a stopgap for many teams and quietly became permanent. The kitchen chair and dining table that were fine for a fortnight are now a five-day-a-week workstation. This working from home toolbox talk is for remote and hybrid staff, and for the supervisors who manage them. The goal is for everyone to spot the biggest compromise in their home setup and know how to fix or report it.
Why does a working from home toolbox talk matter?
The risks of desk work don't stay at the office. HSE's home working guidance says the display screen equipment rules can apply to people who work at home long term, or who split their time between home and the workplace. Where they apply, the employer should assess each worker's setup, and a trained worker can usually do this as a self-assessment.
HSE is practical about furniture. Home workers may not need office-type equipment to work comfortably, but their own furniture may not be suitable either. Where the assessment shows a need, HSE states that workers in Great Britain can't be charged for the equipment.
Home brings extra hazards too. HSE advises checking sockets, plugs and leads for damage, avoiding overloaded extension cables, and keeping the work area clear of trailing wires. Rules differ between countries, so check the rules where you work.
Talking points for your home working safety talk
- Pick a dedicated spot. A stable table at a sensible height beats a sofa, a bed or a breakfast bar. Ideally it's somewhere you can leave set up.
- Bring the office rules home. Feet supported, keyboard at about elbow height, screen top at or just below eye level. A cushion, a footrest made from a sturdy box, and a laptop stand fix a lot.
- Sort the light. CCOHS notes that windows and overhead lights reflecting on the screen cause glare and push people into awkward postures. Put the window to your side, not behind the screen.
- Tame the cables. Route chargers and extension leads away from walkways, and don't daisy-chain adaptors.
- Keep the breaks. At home there's no walk to a meeting room. Build in short, regular breaks away from the screen.
- Know your emergency contacts. If you're working alone, make sure someone knows how to reach you and you know who to call.
- Speak up about kit. Tell your employer if you need a chair, screen, keyboard or a proper assessment. They can't fix what they don't know about.
Example to share with the crew
Picture this: a hybrid worker spends three days a week at the dining table on a hard chair, laptop flat on the table, with an extension lead trailing across the doorway. Her back aches by Wednesday and she's caught her foot on the lead twice.
She completes the self-assessment her employer sends round and is honest about the setup. She's offered a keyboard, mouse and laptop stand, moves the table so the lead runs along the wall, and adds a cushion for back support. Total cost is modest, and two hazards are gone.
Working from home checklist
- A stable, dedicated work surface is in use most days
- Chair supports the lower back, with feet flat or on a footrest
- Laptop raised with a separate keyboard and mouse, or an external monitor is used
- Screen positioned side-on to windows to avoid glare
- Cables routed away from walkways; no overloaded sockets
- Plugs, leads and sockets checked for visible damage
- Self-assessment completed and equipment needs reported
- Emergency and lone-working contact arrangements are known
Questions to ask the crew
- What is the biggest compromise in your home work setup?
- Where do your cables run, and could anyone in your home trip on them?
- Do you know who to contact if you need equipment or get hurt while working at home?
How to close the talk
The one-line summary of today's working from home toolbox talk: your home desk is a workstation, so give it the same attention as one in the office. Run through our free workstation self-assessment and the work-from-home ergonomics guide this week. Report any equipment gaps or injuries to your manager the same way you would on site. You'll find more safety topics for toolbox talks in our library.
Toolbox talk sign-in sheet
Print this page to get the talk and a blank attendance sheet on paper.
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- Location / crew
- Presenter
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Frequently asked questions
What should a working from home toolbox talk cover?
Cover where to set up, how to apply chair, screen and keyboard guidance at home, home hazards like cables and sockets, and how to ask for equipment or an assessment. End by asking each person to name their biggest compromise.
Does my employer have to assess my home workstation?
In Great Britain, HSE says the display screen rules can apply to long-term home and hybrid workers, and employers should carry out an assessment. A trained worker can usually do this as a self-assessment. Check the rules where you work.
Do I need office furniture at home?
Not always. HSE says home workers may not need office-type furniture to get a comfortable posture, but their own furniture may not be suitable either. The assessment decides.
Are accidents at home reportable if I work from home?
Some can be. HSE says an incident at home may be reportable under RIDDOR if it arose from the work activity or from equipment the employer provided.
Sources
This toolbox talk is general safety information. Adapt it to your site's procedures and follow the regulations that apply where you work.