Home working is now a permanent part of UK working life. Here are the top health and safety hazards for home workers, plus practical steps to reduce risk and stay productive.

Home working is no longer a temporary arrangement. According to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) Labour Force Survey data, published in 2025, around 28% of working adults in Great Britain work from home at least some of the time, while roughly 14% work exclusively from home. For self-employed women, the figure is even higher: ONS data show that self-employed workers are considerably more likely than employees to run all or part of their business from home. You can find more context in our Women in Business: Key UK Facts page.

Most home-based work is non-manual and relies on information and communication technology. That brings flexibility, lower commuting costs and often higher productivity, but it also means the hazards are easy to overlook because the environment feels domestic rather than professional. Whether you are self-employed or manage a remote team, the following eight home-working hazards are the ones to address first.

1. Use of equipment

Equipment must be fit for purpose. A slow, unreliable computer does not just waste time; it causes frustration and stress. Invest in tools that support your work: a laptop that is portable enough for your needs, a full-size keyboard and mouse if you type for long periods, and a monitor or docking station so you are not hunched over a small screen.

Your chair is equally important. Choose an adjustable office chair with lumbar support and set it so your feet rest flat on the floor. Do not work from the sofa or kitchen stool for long stretches.

Electrical safety matters too. Check cables, plugs and sockets regularly for damage. A simple visual inspection is usually enough for low-risk home offices; there is generally no legal requirement for annual PAT testing if you are self-employed with no employees. If you need to claim the cost of office equipment, see our guide to home working expenses for the self-employed that you can claim through HMRC.

2. Set up your workstation correctly

Laptops, phones and tablets are convenient, but they encourage poor posture. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends that the top of your screen is roughly at eye level, your arms and thighs are horizontal, your lower back is supported and your feet are flat on the floor. Sit squarely to the screen and avoid twisting your neck or spine.

Lighting also affects comfort. Position your screen to avoid glare, use task lighting for paperwork and take regular breaks. The 20-20-20 rule is helpful: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Use break time to move around and make a drink rather than scrolling social media.

If you share your home or computer, think about data security. Lock your screen when you step away, store confidential paperwork in a locked drawer and keep your office door closed if possible.

3. Avoid injury from manual handling

Even in a paperless business, you may lift boxes of stock, files or equipment. Many aches and strains come from overreaching or lifting awkwardly. Keep frequently used items within easy reach and store heavier objects at waist height. Hold loads close to your body and avoid twisting while lifting.

Make sure shelving and storage are securely fixed to the wall. If you receive regular deliveries, ask drivers to place heavy items where you need them rather than leaving them in an awkward spot.

4. Handle hazardous substances safely

This is less common in office-based home work, but printing inks, toners, adhesives and cleaning products can irritate skin or lungs. Handle toner cartridges carefully, brush dry residues off skin rather than washing them into pores, and keep your workspace ventilated. Good ventilation also prevents drowsiness caused by a build-up of carbon dioxide in a small, poorly aired room.

5. Stress and loneliness

Home working can feel isolating, especially if you are used to office banter. Some people thrive on quiet; others miss the social contact. The key is to build connection deliberately. Schedule video calls, attend women in business networks or co-working days, and arrange coffee with clients or peers.

It also helps to have a small group of trusted contacts you can call to test ideas or vent when something goes wrong. If you find stress building, treat it as a health and safety issue: step away, set clearer boundaries and seek support when you need it.

Personal safety deserves attention too. Lock doors if you cannot hear visitors from your workspace, meet new contacts in public places and tell someone where you are going if you visit an unfamiliar business premises.

6. Reduce fire risks at home

Extra electrical equipment in a home office adds a small but real fire risk. Switch off devices at the end of the day, avoid overloading sockets and make sure computers and chargers have space to ventilate.

Install working smoke alarms on every floor and test them monthly. If you have gas appliances or an open fire, fit a carbon monoxide detector too. Keep escape routes clear of boxes, cables and paperwork, and close internal doors at night to slow the spread of fire and smoke.

7. Slips, trips and falls

Good housekeeping prevents most falls. Keep floors clear of paperwork, boxes and trailing cables. Use cable ties or trunking to tidy leads, store files vertically on shelves rather than in piles, and clean up spills straight away. If your workspace doubles as another room, pack work items away at the end of the day so the area remains safe for the rest of the household.

8. Noise and distractions

What counts as acceptable background noise varies from person to person and may change during school holidays. Set clear boundaries with family or housemates about when you should not be disturbed. Use noise-cancelling headphones, close the door or work during quieter hours if your schedule allows.

Distractions are not just noisy: notifications, household chores and pets can all break concentration. A simple “do not disturb” signal and a structured timetable help protect both productivity and wellbeing.

Your legal duties as an employer

If you employ staff who work from home, you have the same legal health and safety duties as for office-based employees. Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, you must assess risks, provide suitable equipment where necessary and check that workstations are safe. The HSE has specific guidance on homeworking that covers display screen equipment, stress, and the working environment.

The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 and the Flexible Working (Amendment) Regulations 2023, which took effect in April 2024, also mean employees can request flexible working from their first day in a job. While this is not a health and safety law, it affects how you design remote roles. ACAS provides practical guidance on working from home, including how to handle requests and keep staff safe.

Self-employed workers are not regulated in the same way in their own homes, but good practice is good business: fewer accidents mean fewer interruptions and lower insurance costs.

How to reduce health and safety hazards for home workers

Home working offers huge advantages for women in business, from lower overheads to the flexibility to manage caring responsibilities. But those benefits depend on treating your home office as a real workplace. A short risk assessment covering the points above will help you spot health and safety hazards for home workers before they cause injury or lost working time.

Start with a simple checklist: check your chair and screen position, test smoke alarms, tidy cables, review your insurance, and schedule regular contact with colleagues or peers. Small changes now prevent bigger problems later.