Remote Working Guidance and Checklist

Responsibility for safety and health at work rests with the employer whether or not that work is being done on site or remotely. Employers must provide a safe work environment and, in doing so, assess the risks and ensure appropriate controls are put in place.  If an employer wishes to offer remote working away from the employer’s normal work premises, they are responsible for organising the work.

The Occupational Safety & Health Guidance on Remote Working provides guidance for employers and employees on roles and responsibilities in relation to remote working, and the remote working risk assessment process. The assessment involves a three-step process.

The steps include:

1. work activity
2. assessment of hazards and
3. monitoring, reviewing, and communicating with employees

It is the employer’s responsibility to proactively ensure that the assessment is completed for each employee by a suitably trained, competent person and account is taken of changing circumstances.