Top Tip Tuesday - Lone Working

L – LONE WORKING

Working alone and lone working are different things but are sometimes perceived as being the same. So, what is the difference?

Working alone examples

• Driving a vehicle. Although you are alone in your vehicle, there are other road users that could raise the alarm in an emergency.
• An individual working independently, but with other people from different organisations.

Lone working examples

• Someone working in isolation such as a security guard, cleaner, an individual working late in an office or workshop.
• A contractor undertaking work in an isolated part of a building or site.

Top tips:

• Where possible, always avoid lone working. The risk could be too great. Can two people carry out the task?
• If it cannot be avoided, restrict what tasks can be done by a lone worker such as tasks which are a significant risk.
• Prepare an emergency plan for any person that is lone working. What? When? How?
• Consider issuing lone working devices. These will raise the alarm if something goes wrong.
• Is there a contact list for employees to use if something has gone wrong? What about out of hours working?
• Whatever arrangements you decide to, a risk assessment is something you will need to prepare and ensure your employees are informed of your findings.

Need more help on this? Contact us as we are happy to advise and guide you.