SAFETY OF LONE WORKERS
All across the UK, and beyond, there are millions of people who could be classified as a lone worker. In some capacity, lone working involves regular, extended stretches of time where said workers will be unsupervised and required to fulfil duties on their own accord. Much of the time, lone worker roles involve working alone without any direct supervision.
While this is an appealing prospect to many people across many industries, it’s essential to remember that working alone poses substantial safety risks and hazards. Many of these risks are well-known but there are others which you may not be aware of, and it will ensure greater long-term lone worker safety if you pay close attention to all potential issues and threats.
Some lone worker positions are fairly self-explanatory, but others may involve long periods of time working on your own merits. We’ve outlined some common examples of lone workers, and we will explore the risks associated with these roles thereafter, as it pertains to ensuring safety and protection.
Common Lone Worker Roles
- Estate agents
- Social workers
- Security guards
- Postal workers
- Courier services
- Sales representatives
- Close Protection Operatives (CPOs)
ENSURING LONE WORKER SAFETY
Employers have a legal responsibility to make sure the health, safety and wellbeing of all their staff are collectively prioritised. Lone workers are no exception. Although they can spend a great deal of time off-site, there are still many practical and beneficial lone worker solutions available to you to make sure they are protected while working alone.
Failing to provide lone workers with the right training, products and means to raise concerns or problems, can ultimately lead to risky and hostile situations. Therefore, if there are lone working staff in your organisation, it’s important to consider doing the below.
- Conduct a risk assessment
Identifying the primary risks and hazards associated with each job role will provide you with a basis for which to develop appropriate control measures. Risk assessments are just as important for lone working as much as they are for deciding on first aid requirements in the workplace, or even assessing environments during situational awareness training.
- Establish a lone worker policy
A thorough, comprehensive lone working policy can provide clear advice for those working alone, and anyone overseeing these workers. It can give clear advice on what to do while working alone, how to let people know you are in danger, and most importantly, how to avoid potentially dangerous or hostile situations from developing.
- Stock up on high-quality lone worker safety devices
Personal safety and security are of paramount importance while working alone. Lone worker devices will provide employees with the means to raise an instant alarm in the event of an emergency. These devices, when triggered, can let the appropriate management personnel know that a situation has developed, and appropriate action can then be taken from their end.
- Consider lone worker training
While the above three measures are tremendously vital for ensuring employee safety, the most comprehensive and advantageous service to them is for them to undergo lone worker safety training. With in-depth, scenario-based training from experienced personnel, from providers like ATR, a lone worker can fully understand all potential risks and by extension, the precautions they should take. These can be tailored specifically to the nature and location of their work.
All ATR’s training solutions can be specifically designed to meet your organisation’s requirements, much like with our other training courses in first aid, Close Protection, self-defence and conflict management.
Staying Safe While Working Alone
To keep you safe while working on your own, there are a few do’s and don’ts, just to summarise.
Do’s
- Follow relevant safety procedures and training guidelines.
- Keep people informed of your whereabouts.
- Conduct your own personal risk assessment (using principles of situation awareness).
- Ensure you have functioning lone worker alarms on you at all times.
Don’ts
- Assume you will be free from harm.
- Take any unnecessary risks or shortcuts.
- Attempt to do anything which compromises your safety.
- Do anything that makes you feel uneasy or uncomfortable.
LONE WORKER TRAINING FROM ATR
ATR are specialist training providers, who can use consolidated experience in military, law enforcement and UKSF to develop bespoke courses. Our scenario-based training courses help employers and employees apply practical safety measures when they are working.
If you’re concerned about staff safety, then please get in touch with ATR so we can help you find the best solution for you. We can help you meet all your legal obligations and provide cost-effective, flexible training, products and services which will be of value to you as an employer.
ATR are not just specialist training and service providers, but for organisations & individuals that require authorised safety equipment, we have products available via our shop.