Do you have employees who work alone in their offices? Well, you need to find ways to keep them safe for legal compliance reasons and your own conscience. Here are the best tips to help you keep lone workers safe in the office.
Responsibilities Of Employers And Lone Workers
If you are an employer, you need to identify hazards in areas where your employees work alone. Additionally, you need to assess the risks and set up the necessary procedures to prevent or control these hazards for legal reasons. If you have at least five employees, make sure that everything is recorded in writing.
Remember, it’s a 2-way street and your lone workers need to know they have legal obligations. They also need to take care of themselves and co-operate with you accordingly. Add them to your risk assessment plan since they are best suited to inform you of the hazards they face.
Avoid Or Control Risks To Lone Workers
Think about training, procedures, monitoring and use of the right equipment. Your staff need to know what to do in an emergency, especially those working alone in leisure centers, shops, factories and petrol stations. Don’t forget about those working outside normal hours such as petrol station attendants and security staff.
Make sure they have secure premises as well as entry, alarm system, monitoring and restricted areas. They need to know support and back-up will be available when they need it. They also need to know how to call for it, for example with a personal safety alarm. Mobile workers such as cleaners, maintenance staff and vehicle recovery or staff working in other premises require much more.
You need to add regular and agreed contact, special training, supervisor inspections, first aid equipment and automatic warning devices. If you have lone workers who work off-site make sure you know when they are on premises so that they are also taken care of.
Note that special care is needed in the following circumstances.
- If the work being done puts at risk new, young, less mobile, pregnant and new mothers at risk.
- Portable or cash equipment puts your workers at risk
- They handle bad news, handle complaints or deal with members of the public
- They are in a face to face situation in another person’s home
- They are working in areas with restricted access
Continual Assessment Of Risks To Lone Workers
You need to reach out to lone workers frequently to find out if they feel safe and how you can improve. Check their reporting records to find out if they have been absent from work for whatever reason. Additionally, you need to find out if they are stressed at their job.
