In today's fast-paced work environment, the safety and wellbeing of lone workers is paramount. Having a comprehensive lone worker policy in place is crucial to ensure the protection and security of staff that work alone.
The risks of lone working
As an employer of lone workers, it is essential to understand the risks associated with lone working. Lone workers are individuals who work alone without direct supervision or immediate support. This could include employees who work remotely, travel extensively or even individuals who work in isolated locations. Some of the risks that lone workers face include accidents, injuries, illness, violence and harassment.
Recognising these risks is vital so you can take proactive measures to mitigate them. This more than likely will involve conducting thorough risk assessments, identifying potential hazards and implementing appropriate control measures. It is also crucial to provide lone workers with necessary training, equipment, and support to minimise risks.
What are my responsibilities as an employer?
As an employer of lone workers, you have a legal and moral responsibility to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of your lone workers. This includes conducting lone working risk assessments to identify potential risks, and having a lone worker policy in place which is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect any changes in the working environment or legislation.
Fulfilling these responsibilities means that you can create a safe working environment for your lone workers.
Creating a lone worker policy
A comprehensive lone worker policy is essential to effectively manage the safety and wellbeing of your lone workers. The policy should outline procedures, guidelines and responsibilities related to lone working. It should include:
- A clear definition of lone working and the types of employees considered as lone workers.
- The identification and assessment of potential risks and hazards associated with lone working.
- Control measures and procedures to eliminate or minimise the identified risks.
- Training requirements for lone workers to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their tasks safely.
- Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety measures.
- Communication protocols to maintain regular contact with lone workers and monitor their wellbeing.
- Emergency response procedures, including how to report incidents and seek assistance.
By creating a comprehensive lone worker policy, you can provide clear guidance to your lone workers and ensure consistency in managing their safety. To download your copy of our lone worker policy visit our why have a lone working policy page.
Emergency response procedures
In the event of an emergency or incident involving a lone worker, it is crucial to have well defined emergency response procedures in place. These procedures should include:
- Clear instructions on how to report incidents and seek assistance.
- A lone worker system with protocols for escalating emergencies to designated emergency contacts, and in some cases a response ARC (alarm receiving centre) to enable a rapid response.
- Regular drills and training sessions to ensure lone workers are familiar with the emergency response procedures.
Regular review and updates
A lone worker policy should not be a static document. It is essential to regularly review and update the policy to reflect any changes in the working environment or legislation. You should aim to conduct periodic risk assessments to identify new hazards and risks associated with lone working, and update control measures and procedures to address the identified risks.
It's also important to provide additional training or courses to ensure lone workers are up-to-date with the latest safety practices. You should also communicate any policy changes to lone workers, and ensure they have the necessary support and resources to do their job safely.
By regularly reviewing and updating your lone worker policy, you can ensure its effectiveness in protecting the safety and wellbeing of your lone workers. For more tips and best practices on managing your lone workers visit our website.
