FEATURE HAZARDOUS AREAS Protecting lone workers in


hazardous environments In this article, the experts at Peoplesafe investigate the health and safety obligations for employers in protecting workers that are operating out of sight/earshot of colleagues, and the kinds of technology that are out there to help alleviate the risks for those workers


T


hose that work in hazardous environments are likely to be even more health and


safety-conscious than most - but with the number of lone workers rising dramatically in the past year, it is vital that employers put extra measures in place to protect those working alone in hazardous areas. Businesses across all industries have felt


the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which means many are now operating with a reduced number of employees working on- site, whether due to social distancing rules or increased absence levels among employees. This means that many people who once worked alongside their colleagues are now working alone, and this immediately increases their health and safety risk. Hazardous environments, which the


Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations (DSEAR) define as ‘any place in which an explosive atmosphere may occur in quantities such as to require special precautions to protect the safety of workers’, can pose significant risks to workers at any time. So when a worker is required to work alone in such an environment, their employer must ensure that they have the additional protection they need in order to keep themselves healthy and safe at work.


WHAT MAKES LONE WORKERS MORE VULNERABLE? The definition of a lone worker varies - but according to the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), a lone worker can be ‘anyone who works by themselves without direct or close supervision’. This covers anyone who works out of direct sight or earshot of their colleagues and supervisors. Someone who is operating heavy machinery in a noisy environment may be out of earshot of their coworkers, and therefore classed as a lone worker, as would anyone who works in a remote location, or who works alone on certain shifts. These workers automatically face greater


health and safety risks because if something goes wrong, they do not have anyone to call on for assistance. This means that if they have an accident at work, they are more likely to be seriously injured, because any minor injuries they receive can quickly worsen and serious


14 SPRING 2021 | INDUSTRIAL COMPLIANCE


injuries can even become fatal while they wait for somebody to find and assist them. Those working in hazardous environments


may also need to make ‘on the spot’ safety decisions more regularly than those working in a less dangerous environment. These workers may be more likely to make poor decisions in these situations when working alone, because they cannot consult with their colleagues for advice, and whilst training can improve this risk, it cannot remove it completely. The HSE recognises that lone workers are at


increased risk of health and safety incidents, and updated their guidance in relation to lone workers in early 2020. As Barbara Hockey, HSE’s policy lead for Vulnerable Workers, stated, “Lone workers make up an increasing and important part of the workforce, within a range of roles and sectors. Although there are no specific regulations relating to lone workers, the HSE has always recognised that this group of workers can be at higher risk.”


KEEPING LONE WORKERS SAFE IN HAZARDOUS AREAS Every employer understands that they have a duty of care towards their employees, and those who operate within hazardous environments - whether that is a paint shop or a petrol station - should be particularly aware of their responsibilities when it comes to health and safety. This may require employers to put extra


measures in place for lone workers, to ensure that they are meeting their legal obligations. A simple risk assessment can help employers to identify whether additional measures are needed, and when carrying one out, employers should refer to the HSE’s latest guidance in relation to lone working. They advise employers to ‘train, supervise and monitor lone workers’, and ‘keep in touch with them and respond to any incident’.


TURNING TO TECHNOLOGY Having the right tech on hand can make it much easier for employers to supervise, monitor and stay in touch with lone workers from afar and for workers to access help whenever they need it. Many employers are therefore choosing to invest in lone worker


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