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Working from home OHS Self-Assessment Checklist – During COVID-19
Work Environment
We want to ensure that you have a safe work environment when working from home. While we cannot control your work
at home we want you to take the time to have a look around the environment you will be working in to ensure the areas
are clear of hazards. This includes checking areas such as walkways, amenities and other areas you may access during your
working day.
This checklist is to guide you through these issues. Please complete it and return it before
we agree that you can commence working from home. Lighting
Yes No 
- The worksite is suitably lit for the proposed
type of work
Ventilation
Yes No 
- The work site is well ventilated (natural or
artificial)
Temperature
Yes No 
- The room is able to be suitably
temperature controlled – heating/cooling
Floors
Yes No 
- Floor coverings do not present trip hazards
Yes No 
- Flooring at workstation allows easy
movement of the user’s chair
Chair (If possible)
Yes No 
- The chair is easily adjusted from a seated
position (Seat back height & angle, seat
height)
Yes No 
- When chair height is adjusted
appropriately, the feet are positioned on
the ground
Yes No 
- The forearms and wrists are parallel to the
floor or angled down slightly when chair
height adjusted
- Seat back angle is adjusted so user is in an
Yes No 
Yes No 
upright position when using keyboard
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- If you do not have an adjustable chair, you
feel safe and comfortable with the chair
you are using
Workstation Desk or Table
Yes No 
- Desk/table is large enough for the
completion of mixed tasks (computer and
reading / writing)
WORKING FROM HOME CHECKLIST
Good quality broadband
PC or laptop (if possible, use work laptop for better security and functionality)
Peripherals, e.g. keyboard, mouse, printer/scanner, headset, video camera
All necessary business apps and remote working solution installed; if you require books or
physical files for your work, bring them from the office
Designated workstation / working area, enough desk surface for all necessary work
equipment
Comfortable chair and a table of suitable height (make necessary adjustments so your feet
rest firmly on the floor and forearms horizontal while working). Ensure enough back
support and minimum neck strain.
Computer screen at a comfortable height and distance from your eyes; brightness and
contrast on your display adjusted, image clear and stable
Enough lighting (natural light, desk lamp etc.). position your screen to avoid distracting
reflections from direct sunlight
Work area clean, tidy, secure and clutter free; comply with clear screen clean desk
policies; ensure other people in the house do not have access to your business computer
or physical files.
Adequate ventilation and comfortable room temperature
All electrical equipment in safe working order? (No exposed cables, damaged or broken
electrical equipment used).
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YES
NO
WORK FROM HOME CHECKLIST
Working from home certainly doesn’t suit everyone. And while giving up the daily commute and working in your PJs might
sound amazing, it’s necessary to give real thought as to whether it will really work for you.
DETERMINE IF IT’S A FIT FOR YOU
☐ Are you self-motivated and disciplined? Can you get work done without having others give you motivation?
☐ Are you confident in your abilities to work without supervision?
☐ Will you be happy spending a lot of time alone?
☐ Do you need face-to-face interaction, or would communication via email, phone, chat, or video conference suffice?
☐ Is your home big enough? Is there an area that can be used for your office space?
☐ Will others in the house respect your need to be uninterrupted?
WORKSPACE AND ESSENTIALS
☐ Set aside a work area in your home that is separate from the rest of your life.
☐ Choose a workspace with plenty of natural light.
☐ Set up a dedicated phone line or cell to use for work calls.
☐ Ensure you have reliable, high speed Internet access.
☐ Create a quality workspace complete with desk, ergonomic chair, lighting, printer, copier, and storage space.
☐ Obtain a quality desktop or laptop computer.
☐ Install Microsoft Office 365, plus any other software necessary for your particular job.
☐ Stock up on office stationery. Set up an account with your local store, if necessary, to ensure you never run out.
MAKING IT WORK
☐ Structure your day. Set yourself regular working hours and stick to them.
☐ Tell friends and family that you’re ‘at work’ during your working hours. Often, those close to you think that if you’re
home, then it’s OK to call or pop in for a chat.
☐ Take regular breaks.
☐ Save your work to the cloud with OneDrive. That way, you can take your work with you if you need a change of
scenery.
☐ Switch off at the end of the day. Do not be tempted to check your email after the working day has finished.
Part A – Working from Home Safety and Wellbeing Checklist
applicable. Leave blank if not)
Employee’s Name
Business
Department
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(Complete items only if
Phone Number
1. Rationale for working from home
Yes
No
Valid reasons for working from home

The reasons are valid and sufficient to consider working from home and:
o
is not to be a substitute for child-care or dependent care although may support family
responsibilities (e.g. coordinate with school hours)


o
it enables better balance of work/family/life (etc.) responsibilities which will enhance
performance and commitment and/or reduce stress
it represents a more productive way of working compared with current arrangements




o
Nature of work

The nature of the work and employee are suited to such an arrangement:
o
the work can be performed independently


o
there are responsibilities (e.g. people management/supervision) which can feasibly be
met by this arrangement


Yes
No
A designated work/study area has been identified which provides sufficient clear space to
enable the employee to have full range of movement required to work without risk of strain or
injury.


There are no trip hazards (e.g. cabling, mats, clutter)


2. Work Environment
Designated Work Area


Environmental Conditions

Lighting is adequate for the tasks being performed (i.e. easy to see and comfortable on the
eyes)



Glare and reflection can be controlled



Ventilation and room temperature can be controlled, regardless of season (i.e. I feel
comfortable with the room temperature and air flow)



There is no excessive noise affecting the work area



Non-smoking environment



For double storey homes, it is recommended that all work is undertaken on the ground floor or
same level where practicable.
o
There are appropriate amenities (e.g. kitchen, bathroom)


o
Stairs (if any) contain a continuous hand rail from top to bottom


Emergency Exit

Path to the exit is reasonably direct



Path to the exit is sufficiently wide and free of obstructions or trip hazards to allow unimpeded
passage






Security

Security is sufficient to prevent unauthorised entry by intruders
Electrical

Power outlets are not overloaded with double adapters and power boards
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2. Work Environment
Yes
No

Earth leakage circuit protection is in place for work related equipment



Electrical cords are safely stowed



Connectors, plugs and outlet sockets are in a safe condition



Electrical equipment is free from any obvious external damage


Yes
No
3. Workstation Set Up
Work Surface

The area of the work surface is adequate for the tasks to be performed (i.e. similar work
space to that used while the person is at the office)



A document holder is used if transcribing information from hard copy to computer or if
referring to reference material for prolonged periods



The most frequently used items are within easy reach from the seated position



There are no sharp contact points on the workstation or other equipment


Chair

The seat height, seat tilt, angle and back rest are all adjustable



The chair has a 5-point base to ensure stability (does not slip or roll) on the floor



There is adequate lumbar support and padding



The chair height is adjusted so that feet are flat on the floor and knees are bent at right angles
with thighs parallel to the floor



The seat back is adjusted to support the lumbar curve of the lower back



The seat pan tilt is adjusted so that hips and tops of thighs are at right angles or slightly
greater



Chair arms are not present or are low enough to easily clear the desk


Desk

The desk is at a suitable height



There is adequate leg room under the desk, and no clutter



A footrest is available if needed


Keyboard and Mouse

Keyboard to user distance allows user to relax shoulders with elbows close to the body



Keyboard position is flat and in front of the screen



Mouse is placed directly next to the keyboard, fits hand comfortably and works freely



Mouse is at same level as the keyboard


Monitor

Monitor height is adjusted so top of the screen is level with or at slightly lower height than eye
level (approx. 400mm above the work surface)



Monitor is approx. arm’s length from user



Monitor is positioned to avoid glare, i.e. perpendicular to window or other strong light source


Laptop (complete if applicable)

In the event of using a laptop computer:
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3. Workstation Set Up
Yes
No
Work Surface

The area of the work surface is adequate for the tasks to be performed (i.e. similar work
space to that used while the person is at the office)



A document holder is used if transcribing information from hard copy to computer or if
referring to reference material for prolonged periods



The most frequently used items are within easy reach from the seated position



There are no sharp contact points on the workstation or other equipment


Chair

The seat height, seat tilt, angle and back rest are all adjustable



The chair has a 5-point base to ensure stability (does not slip or roll) on the floor



There is adequate lumbar support and padding



The chair height is adjusted so that feet are flat on the floor and knees are bent at right angles
with thighs parallel to the floor



The seat back is adjusted to support the lumbar curve of the lower back



The seat pan tilt is adjusted so that hips and tops of thighs are at right angles or slightly
greater



Chair arms are not present or are low enough to easily clear the desk


Desk

The desk is at a suitable height



There is adequate leg room under the desk, and no clutter



A footrest is available if needed


Keyboard and Mouse

Keyboard to user distance allows user to relax shoulders with elbows close to the body

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
Keyboard position is flat and in front of the screen



Mouse is placed directly next to the keyboard, fits hand comfortably and works freely



Mouse is at same level as the keyboard


Monitor

Monitor height is adjusted so top of the screen is level with or at slightly lower height than eye
level (approx. 400mm above the work surface)



Monitor is approx. arm’s length from user



Monitor is positioned to avoid glare, i.e. perpendicular to window or other strong light source






Yes
No


Laptop (complete if applicable)
o
o
a laptop stand is used to raise the laptop screen such that it is the same height as the
user’s eyes
an external keyboard and mouse is used with the laptop
4. Nature of Tasks
Physical Demands of Tasks

Safe posture is adopted
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
Any lifting, pushing or carrying type task is well within physical capacity (i.e. my work does not
involve physically heavy, overly repetitious or demanding tasks)


Work Practices

Wrists are kept straight and not supported on surface while typing



Sitting posture is upright or slightly reclined, with lower back supported



The telephone is within easy reach from the seated position



Long periods of continuous activity are broken by performing other tasks, changing position,
standing up and stretching


Yes
No
5. Emergency procedures, incidents and check-in
Other

A procedure has been established to periodically confirm with the office workplace that the
home worker is safe and well



Telephone or other communication devices are readily available to allow effective
communication in an emergency situation



Emergency contact numbers and details are known, i.e. 000 for fire, ambulance or police



Access to first aid supplies is available



A smoke detector is installed in/near the designated work area and is properly maintained



Any safety incidents will be reported using the business’ incident reporting system


Individual factors

The employee’s fitness and health is suitable to the tasks to be undertaken



Important: Any special needs to ensure health and safety have been advised to the manager
and can be accommodated (e.g. are there any pre-existing injuries, illness or disease that
could be accelerated, exacerbated, aggravated, re-occur or deteriorate in performing the
inherent requirements of the role – especially when working remotely from a home-based
office)


Yes
No


Yes
No


6. Remote access

A request for a remote access to IT systems has been made and approved by the manager or
cloud-based systems are in place to allow remote working.
7. Plan of the home-based office

A plan/photograph of the home-based work office is attached to the checklist and includes
desk layout, power outlets, telephone and lighting
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Part B – Reassessment or correction to work environment is required.
Manager to complete as necessary (i.e. where ‘No’ is answered to any of the above questions in the checklist)
Checklist Item
Example:
Unsatisfactory chair
Correction required and by who and when
Date corrected
An ergonomic chair will be purchased by person XX XX XXXX
requesting working from home arrangements
Part C - Manager’s review and approval
Approval
Yes
No

The person listed has demonstrated the requisite degree of self-organisation, motivation,
etc. to work independently from home



I have reviewed the checklist for the person listed and I am confident that the safety and
wellbeing requirements are met to approve to work from home



The employee understands that the costs associated with any required equipment will be
borne by the employee.


Authority to work from home cannot be granted where there are corrections required or where you have indicated
a ‘No’ in the approval above.
Where corrections are required, do not sign Part C until corrections are completed and request to work from home
arrangements are reviewed. Part B will need to be completed and actioned before approval is given and authority
to work from home is granted.
Signed (by Manager
who has HR
Delegation)
Name (Please print)
Position
Date
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WORKING FROM HOME
HEALTH AND SAFETY CHECKLIST
Under the Quebec Occupational Health and Safety Act, the university has a duty of care to provide a safe and
healthy place of work for all employees. This also applies to staff who work from home.
Prior to working from home, you must complete the following checklist to ensure that your home office meet
health and safety standards. This checklist should be used in conjunction with the document “Working from
home - Health and Safety Guidelines.”
Employee information
Name:
Faculty/department:
Home address:
Home phone number:
Day that will be worked from home:
Working hours (e.g. 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.):
Designated workplace:
Work environment
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Does your home office provide enough space to work efficiently?
Is your home office free of tripping hazards (wires, loose tiles, torn or ripped carpet)?
Do you have an adequate workstation to perform your tasks?
Do you have an ergonomic chair?
Have you set up your home office using the document “Working from home - Health and
Safety Guidelines”?
Safety measures
Have you updated/provided an emergency contact in Minerva?
Do you have a first aid kit?
Is there a functional smoke detector in your home?
Is there a functional carbon monoxide detector in your home?
(If you have fuel-burning appliances.)
Is there a functional fire extinguisher in your home?
Reporting incidents and accidents
Are you aware of your responsibility to report any incidents or accidents to your supervisor and
EHS immediately?
Do you agree that in case of incidents or accidents the employer and/or the CNESST may
perform an investigation at your home office?
Do you agree to participate actively in any investigation following a work accident occurring at
home?
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Liability and insurance
Yes
No
Have you notified your home insurance company that you will be working from home?
Do you acknowledge that McGill will not be held liable for any damages to an employee’s
property or for any injuries to family members, visitors, or others in the employee’s home?
Do you acknowledge that McGill will not be responsible for any non-work-related injuries that
may occur at home? Compensation will be limited to the preapproved working hours and will
be limited to the designated home office space.
Recommended corrections
Declaration
I hereby certify that the existing or potential hazards in my home office have been properly assessed,
identified and the appropriate corrective actions applied and I have completed this checklist using the
document “Working from home – Health and Safety Guidelines.”
Employee signature:
Date:
Declaration
I hereby acknowledge that I have read and discussed this checklist with my employee.
Supervisor signature:
Date:
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