Lone Working Policy

Document Version Control

Version No.

Date Change Made

New Version No.

Changes Made By (initial)

Comment

00.01

April 2020

 

HW

New document. Adopted at Full Council 15.6.20 Agenda Item 10.10.

Contents

toc goes in here

1 Introduction

1.1 Lone working refers to situations where staff in the course of their duties work alone in the community, in the homes of individuals or in their own home, or may be the only staff member present in an office or other establishment maintained by the Council. They will be physically isolated from colleagues, and without access to immediate assistance.

1.2 This policy is designed to alert staff to the risks presented by lone working, to identify the responsibilities each person has in this situation, and to describe procedures which will minimise such risks.

2 Legislation

2.1 Employers have a general duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of their employees etc, including, so far as is reasonably practicable, the provision and maintenance of a safe working environment, safe access and egress, safe systems of work and provision of suitable information, instruction, training and supervision.

2.2 There is nothing specific in general legislation that prohibits a person from working alone. Section 19 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires the employer to undertake a risk assessment, and so this shall determine whether or not an employee may work alone. Therefore, in general, an employer must assess whether an employee is at significantly higher risk when working alone.

2.3 However, employers must be aware of any specific legislation on lone working, which may be applicable to their specific industry, e.g. supervision in diving operations, vehicles carrying explosives.

3 Roles and Responsibilities

3.1 The Town Clerk should:

  • Identify all staff who undertake lone working.
  • Inform staff of their responsibilities under the lone working policy.
  • Make the policy readily available to all staff members on induction and ensuring local procedures are in place.
  • Ensure that risk assessments regarding the personal safety of staff, including those working alone, are undertaken by competent persons.
  • Ensure that lone workers have no medical condition that may make them unsuitable for working alone.
  • Assist in the development and implementation of safe systems of work to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all staff.
  • Review lone working risk assessments on a regular basis, taking into consideration information provided by staff members regarding hazards relating to activities, environments and individuals.
  • Ensure that staff members have access to appropriate training opportunities regarding challenging behaviour.
  • Take all reasonable steps to minimise risks identified and report any substantial risks to the Personnel Committee.

3.2 Officers should:

  • Take reasonable care to look after their own safety and health.
  • Safeguard the safety and health of other people affected by their work.
  • Co-operate with their employer’s health and safety procedures.
  • Use tools and other equipment properly, in accordance with any relevant safety instructions and training they have been given.
  • Not misuse equipment provided for their safety and health.
  • Report all accidents, injuries, near-misses and other dangerous occurrences.

4 Mandatory Procedures

4.1 Staff working alone must ensure they are familiar with the exits and alarms.

4.2 There must be access to a telephone and first aid equipment for staff working alone.

4.3 In situations where staff may be working with people in relative isolation, there should be an agreed system in place to alert colleagues in an emergency.

5 Personal safety

5.1 Staff must not assume that having a mobile phone and a back-up plan is a sufficient safeguard in itself. The first priority is to plan for a reduction of risk.

5.2 Staff should take all reasonable precautions to ensure their own safety, as they would in any other circumstances (see Appendix 1).

5.3 Before working alone, an assessment of the risks involved should be made in conjunction with the Town Clerk.

5.4 Staff must inform their Line Manager when they will be working alone, giving accurate details of their location and following an agreed plan to inform that person when the task is completed. This includes occasions when a staff member expects to go home following a visit rather than returning to the office.

5.5 If a member of staff does not report in as expected, an agreed plan should be put into operation, initially to check on the situation and then to respond as appropriate.

5.6 Where staff work alone for extended periods and/or on a regular basis, managers must make provision for regular contact, both to monitor the situation and to counter the effects of working in isolation.

6 Staff working at home

6.1 An employer has the same responsibility for the health and safety of employees who work from home as for any other employees. This covers the provision of supervision, education and training and the implementation of sufficient control measures to protect the homeworker. The employer should accept liability for accident or injury of a homeworker as for any other employee.

6.2 There should be regular contact with their Line Manager or other designated person if working at home for extended periods, and an appropriate reporting-in system should be used if making visits from home.

6.3 Staff working from their own homes should take every reasonable precaution to ensure that their address and telephone number remain confidential.

7 Risk Assessment

7.1 The general principles of risk assessment must be followed for lone working. Assessments should be carried out by suitably trained and competent employees. The staff member undertaking the lone working duty should be involved in the risk assessment process. The risks to lone workers should be reduced to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.

7.2 In drawing up and recording an assessment of risk the following issues should be considered, as appropriate to the circumstances:

  • The environment – location, security, access.
  • The context – nature of the task, any special circumstances.
  • The individuals concerned – indicators of potential or actual risk.
  • History – any previous incidents in similar situations any other special circumstances.

7.3 All available information should be taken into account and checked or updated as necessary.

7.4 Where there is any reasonable doubt about the safety of a lone worker in a given situation, consideration should be given to sending a second worker or making other arrangements to complete the task.

7.5 While resource implications cannot be ignored, safety must be the prime concern. For further guidance see Appendix 2, and the appropriate assessment template – Appendix 3 for community, Appendix 4 for establishments.

8 Support and Training

8.1 Lone workers need to be sufficiently experienced to understand the risks and precautions fully. The Town Clerk will set limits on what can and cannot be done when working alone.

8.2 Any person who has concerns about the continuance of a lone activity being carried out should feel confident that they have the Town Clerk’s support to terminate the task and return to office at any time. Where such incidents arise, they must be reported to the Town Clerk. On return to the office, employees should ask for a debrief with the Town Clerk if they feel any issues need to be addressed following a lone working activity. The risk assessment may need to be modified and used as part of the planning process for subsequent activities.

8.3 The Council shall provide any training necessary.

Appendix 1

A1 Personal Safety

A1.1 It is not wise to rely on alarm systems or breakaway techniques to get you out of trouble – there are a number of things you can do to avoid trouble in the first place. The Council has a responsibility as an employer to ensure the health, safety and welfare of staff, but employees also have a duty to take reasonable care themselves. This is not about raising anxiety levels, but about recognising potential dangers and taking positive steps to reduce risk, for yourself and for service users in your care.

A2 Be aware of the environment

A2.1 Know what measures are in place where you work: check out alarm systems and procedures, exits and entrances, and the location of the first aid supplies.

A2.2 Make sure that your car and mobile phone are in good working order, and that electrical and other mechanical equipment is safe to use. Check the instructions for use and ensure that faults are reported /dealt with.

A2.3 If your work takes you into areas which are isolated, poorly lit at night or known for high crime rates, arrange to check in when the visit is over, or work with a partner.

A2.4 If a potentially violent situation occurs, be aware of what might be used as a weapon against you, and of possible escape routes.

A2.5 Try to maintain a comfortable level of heating and lighting in buildings you control.

A3 Be aware of yourself

A3.1 Think about your body language. What messages are you giving?

A3.2 Think about your tone of voice and choice of words. Avoid anything which could be seen as sarcastic or patronising.

A3.3 Think about what you are wearing. Is it suitable for the task? Does it hamper your movement? What signals does it send out? In a potentially risky situation, does a scarf or tie offer an opportunity to an assailant?

A3.4 Be aware of your own triggers – the things that make you angry or upset.

A4 Be aware of other people

A4.1Take note of their non-verbal signals.

A4.2 Be aware of their triggers.

A4.3 Don’t crowd people – allow them space.

A4.4 Make a realistic estimate of the time you will need to do something, and don’t make promises which can’t be kept, either on your own or someone else’s behalf.

A4.5 Be aware of the context of your meeting – are they already angry or upset before you meet, and for what reason?

A4.6 Listen to them and show them you are listening.

Appendix 2

B1 Assessment of risk

B1.1 Staff should have access to all available relevant information in order to make a reasoned judgement of any potential risk.

B1.2 The following issues should be considered, as appropriate to the circumstances:

  • The environment – location, security, access
  • The context – nature of the task, special circumstances, likely outcomes
  • The individuals concerned – indicators of potential or actual risk
  • History – any previous incidents in similar situations

B2 Assessment

B2.1 The environment

It is the responsibility of the Town Clerk to assess the risks presented by the building itself – access, lay-out, furnishings, lighting and temperature control – and to take appropriate action.

Alarm systems must be accessible and tested regularly.

All staff must be familiar with the alarm and be given clear instructions on how to respond to them.

B2.2 Personal

In order to make a complete assessment, any history of challenging behaviour should be investigated.

Any information regarding known triggers must be recorded.

Staff must be aware of the effect they may have on the situation through their verbal and non-verbal communication and take steps to avoid provocation. (See Appendix 1)

B2.3 Sharing Information

Information should be shared with due regard to issues of confidentiality and data protection.

B3.3 Planning

Ensure there are agreed contacts in case of an emergency and a system for reporting back at the end of a visit.

Take into consideration any previous events which have caused problems.

Appendix 3

Lone Working Policy Appendix 3

Appendix 4

Lone Working Policy – Appendix 4