Policies

The following policy aims to minimise the risk of staff whom work alone, both in and away from their fixed base. Lutton Parish Council has a duty to assess risks to lone workers (and/or volunteers), and reduce and avoid risk where possible, in accordance with the Health & Safety Act 1974 and the Management & Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Council employees also have a duty to take reasonable care of themselves and other people affected by their work, and to co-operate with their employers in meeting their legal obligations.

Lone workers

These are people who work by themselves without close or direct supervision:

At a fixed base (office or other):

One person works on the premises

One person works separately from others

One person works outside normal hours

Away from their fixed base:

Staff member who is required to travel alone to and from a fixed base to another base or to attend meetings etc.

Potential Risks to Lone Workers

Open access and unlocked doors (accessible to the public contractors etc.)

Being taken ill whilst at work

Lack of training regarding Health & Safety procedures

Hazards in the workplace

Remote areas

Parking arrangements (poorly lit and/or isolated areas)

Assessing the Risk

Before drawing up and recording the assessment of risk, it must be established:

Whether the work can be done by a lone worker

What arrangements will be in place to ensure an individual is not exposed to unnecessary and unacceptable risk?

When recording an assessment of risk, the following should be taken into consideration:

Environment – location, security, access/egress

Context – nature of the task

History – have there been any accidents/incidents in the past?

All available information should be taken into account and updated as and when necessary. If there is reason for doubt about the safety of a lone worker in a given situation then consideration should be given for making other arrangements to complete the task.

Safety Guidelines

For staff working in a fixed base

Become familiarised the layout of the building including fire exit and escape routes.

Keep doors locked that allow access to the building/office you are working in.

Do not open the door to unexpected visitors. In the case of contractors ask for identification. If still unsure check with the contractor’s employer/head office.

Have contact numbers at hand to be able to contact relevant person(s) immediately (should they feel ill, suspect an intruder in the building etc.)

Park as near as they can to the building.

A risk assessment to be put in place to assess potential risks.

For staff working away from their fixed base:

Staff should inform relevant person(s) from the Council of their movements including the time they estimate they will be away from their base and when they will return, along with relevant information regarding where and at what time visits will be made, and to whom.

Leave details of venues, including contact numbers

Take mobile phone (or other communication device) with them.

Avoid meetings in isolated paces. If this cannot be avoided ask someone to accompany them or make sure they always notify someone when they arrive and leave.

Responsibility

Employees Responsibility & Personal Safety

To take reasonable care for the health and safety of him/herself and of other persons who may be affected by his/her acts of omissions at work.

Always maintain a line of communication on a regular basis with members of the Council to identify and minimise risk(s).

Always inform someone as to when they leave the fixed base to perform Council tasks and inform a colleague when returning to a fixed base after a relevant task completed.

Always report an accident/incident that may occur to the Clerk or relevant person to allow for a full investigation to take pace and assess potential risks and identify additional safety procedures.

Employers Responsibility

To take reasonable care for the health & safety of staff by identifying and assessing potential risks to ensure that staff are safe at all times.

Always maintain a line of communication on a regular basis with staff to identify and minimise risk(s).

Ensure a signing in an out system is put in place

Ensure staff receive all relevant training and information available.

Equip staff with a mobile phone (or other communication device) to ensure a system of maintaining contact.

Exemptions

Employees and/or Volunteers are exempt from working alone in certain situations:

Young persons under instruction in a fixed base (for example: work experience, helping with Council tasks etc.)

Where activities and work with substances/machinery could be hazardous to health.