Posted By Ron Hunter Does the work activity compound the risk?. If answer no, then no duty.

Posted By Brigham Ron, I'm not saying I don't agree with you but if it's standard practice (generally speaking) to have fire extinguishers in offices, no matter how small and if the same equipment is being used by a home worker, why shouldn't a fire extinguisher be provided?

Posted By Peter Leese Excellent question. Some definitive guidance is given at .... http://www.iosh.co.uk/in...echnical.details&scid=12 ....by our very own institution. I may be wrong but from a quick glance through it they don't mention the topic at all. But if employer equipment is being introduced into the home, and that equipment could be the source of a fire, then surely there must be an obligation to provide fire fighting equipment. And of course, from that, then the employee must be trained in the use of that fire fighting equipment. Yes, a good question.

Posted By Paul Darby My view is that the word "reasonable" comes firmly into play. If all you are providing is a laptop or PC, and it is PAT tested and maintained just as all of the office based PC's are, and the individual knows that faults must be reported and damaged equipment removed from use, what is the chance of a fire? Extremely small I would suggest, small enough to be negligible.

Posted By David Bruce Would say no to both but I think it would prudent of an employer to offer the cash to purchase a smoke alarm / batteries for the room or hallway leading to the area that the person works in. Can't see how the extinguisher issue would work in practice. Typical houses would have no fire compartmentation so the nearest place of safety to house an extinguisher would be at the exit door of the house. Perhaps you could get a hall rug to match the extinguisher! Beyond the aesthetics the employer would be encouraging the person to fight the fire which would be more dangerous in a typical house where there are various additional flammable and trip hazards. As a side note on insurances, does anyone know whether any fire damage caused by an employers faulty equipment (even if PAT tested) would be covered under the companies policy or whether the individual would have to claim under their own home policy.