LAW


WHAT’S


REQUIRED OF YOU TO COMPLY WITH LEGAL AND HEALTH & SAFETY LEGISLATION


Working alone - consider the Health & Safety issues


DO you employ


individuals who undertake lone working on your premises?


How many of these individuals work with potentially dangerous machinery, or undertake manual tasks with no assistance?


As one of the leading health and safety


consultancies in the land we are aware of many that involve lone workers. They make your hair stand on end, incidents where workers have been hurt and unable to raise the alarm or to get help. Often, organisations employ workers who undertake tasks that mean working alone. Procedures that relate to lone workers on your premises are of particular importance. These incidents could usually be avoided if the correct procedures had been put in place and adhered to by the organisation. These procedures may be little more than the routine application of common sense. All activities of the organisation should routinely be identified, including the use of machinery, manual handling, chemical exposure, fire risk etc. A thorough Risk Assessment should then be carried out for each activity, including the likelihood of the activity being carried out by a lone worker, and the results recorded and of course, action taken if necessary.


Any machinery or vehicles used by any workers should be routinely inspected to ensure that protective


guards are in place, and that it is fit for use. It is paramount that employees undertaking lone working activities are aware of the dangers involved and are educated accordingly. They must receive appropriate training for any equipment they use or vehicles they operate.


When tasks involve machinery or if employees go to awkward places e.g. working at height, it would be sensible to ensure that employees are regularly supervised, properly aware of their circumstance and informed of the risks that they may encounter. They should be trained to use equipment and materials where necessary. Simple precautions include working in pairs, having communication systems handy, checking access and routes, ensuring regular supervision, having pre arranged rescue procedures and ensuring adequate first aid cover. Employers should identify situations where people work alone and ask questions such as:


• Does the workplace present a special risk to the lone worker?


• Is there a safe way in and a way out for one person?


• Is there a safe way to rescue anyone in trouble?


• Is the person medically fit and suitable to work alone?


• Has the employee been trained to use any work equipment involved?


• Is the equipment properly serviced and safe to use?


• Can any temporary access equipment which is necessary, such as ladders or trestles, be safely handled by one person?


• Can all the plant, substances and goods involved in the work be safely handled by one person?


• Consider whether the work involves lifting objects too large for one person or whether more than one person is needed to operate essential controls for the safe running of equipment.


• Is there a risk of violence?


• Are women especially at risk if they work alone?


• Are young workers especially at risk if they work alone?


• What happens if the person becomes ill, has an accident or there is an emergency?


As always - common sense prevails. If there's doubt that a task can be safely carried out by a lone worker, then it probably shouldn't be. If there's doubt over the safety of a piece of equipment or a vehicle, then don't allow it to be used until it has been made safe to use.


If you allow lone workers to operate in an environment that is not safe, then you make yourself vulnerable to prosecution. Recent incidents include:


Take care out there - health and safety is no accident


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