LONE WORKER PROTECTION
PUT A PLAN IN PLACE
Drafting a lone worker policy that is unique to your business is essential. Here Klaus Allion, MD at ANT Telecom, explains why and outlines the key considerations to take into account when doing so.
Lone worker hazards are present in most workplaces but identifying these can be difficult for those new to lone worker policies and procedures. Many health and safety managers face the challenge of ensuring all lone workers are as equally protected in the workplace as every other member of staff. By establishing a specific policy for lone workers, risks resulting from lone worker hazards can be minimised, and all staff can feel reassured at work.
WHAT EXACTLY IS A LONE WORKER POLICY? Like many other policies that are used in other areas of a business, a lone worker policy is generally a physical document that all staff can refer to and adhere to. Creating a lone worker policy is not as simple as copying a policy from another business and applying it to your business. This is an irresponsible way to create a health and safety policy of this nature, it is essential that the policy is tailored to your business. Each organisation, will face different challenges in terms of lone worker protection and lone worker hazards.
WHY A LONE WORKER POLICY IS
IMPORTANT? Although it is not a legal requirement, having a lone worker policy in place is beneficial for both business, and staff relations. If staff feel safe at work, then productivity is likely to be higher. In addition to this, although having a policy is not a legal requirement, if a lone worker sustains a serious injury due to negligence, this can have serious legal consequences. Therefore, it is usually best to incorporate a policy specific to lone workers into health and safety plans. A policy will also create guidelines for lone workers and managers to follow, in order to minimise any unnecessary risks. This means that staff will feel safer and reassured in the fact that if an accident was to occur, every member of the team would know how to respond.
AREAS FOR CONSIDERATION WHEN
DRAFTING THE POLICY Once the lone worker hazards that apply to your business have been identified, it is then important to consider the practices you will apply to prevent
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any injuries relating to them. There are a number of ways to protect workers against hazards. Regular risk assessments will allow you to identify any new hazards, or areas that may be in need of review. Many businesses use a combination of techniques to protect their lone workers, including:
MONITORING AND ALERTING Monitoring staff members is an essential part of lone worker management. This means that lone workers should be required to sign in and out at the beginning and end of the day and be continually monitored while undertaking any lone worker duties. A monitoring and alerting system is generally the best method of ensuring that staff are safe at all times. This may include using lone worker safety devices. Lone worker safety devices are a reliable way of monitoring staff and provides users with a means to call or alert colleagues when there is an incident and assistance is required.
TRAINING Training is paramount in the smooth operation of any business. This is particularly true when it comes to training relating to health and safety. It is important that all staff members are trained sufficiently in the operation of any equipment they will be using, how to handle dangerous substances, or any other specialist training specific to your business. Training is also a key part of ensuring all staff know what to do in the event of an emergency. Reporting an incident (or calling for help) usually follows a certain process, to ensure that emergencies are responded to as quickly as possible and that sufficient assistance is offered. This means that all staff members must know exactly how to operate any communication devices or lone worker devices that they are required to carry. Training in other security devices like alarm systems, or locks should be considered.
AUDITS Audits are a good way of identifying any issues with lone worker procedures. Regular auditing can help managers to find areas of concern in regard to response time, or inadequate training of staff.
www.anttelecom.co.uk www.tomorrowshs.com
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