Manage the risks of violence and aggression to lone workers

This standard is about managing the risks of violence and aggression to lone workers. It includes all aspects of managing working environment and safety of lone workers. It covers identifying, assessing and reviewing the risks of violence and aggression occurring to lone workers.

This standard is for anyone who is a lone worker or responsible for managing the risks of violence and aggression to lone workers.

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1. identify all hazards and risks of working alone
2. align lone working with organisation’s policies and procedures
3. identify extra demands on the lone workers’ physical or mental stamina
4. identify any illness suffered by the lone workers which might increase the risks of the job
5. arrange and provide first aid for lone workers
6. carry out risk assessment for lone workers
7. arrange the required training to lone workers
8. minimise the risks to lone workers by providing control and relevant safety measures
9. encourage lone workers to identify hazards and suggest appropriate actions to avoid them
10. arrange the systematic monitoring by qualified supervisors and managers of the hazards of lone working
11. maintain communications and supervision to lone workers on a regular basis
12. consult lone workers about any safety concerns they may have or previously reported
13. identify the need for updated training and provide it on a regular basis or whenever risks or working conditions change
14. arrange relevant insurance cover for lone workers
15. encourage lone workers to report incidents, including accidents and near misses within organisational procedures
16. provide help and advice to lone workers to resolve their concerns or issues
17. provide support or first aid to lone workers following incidents
18. review records of incidents on a regular basis to identify trends and actions
19. review the policies and procedures to take into account the lessons learned
20. check and maintain equipment used to minimise risks on a regular basis
21. review the risk assessments, policies and procedures on a regular basis

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1. your legal duties for ensuring the well-being, safety and health in the workplace
2. the channels of communication within your organisation
3. your job role and duties including those relating to the management of health and safety at work
4. the employment rights, human rights, disability and data protection legislation
5. the relevant procedures for reporting injuries, diseases, dangerous occurrences
6. the job roles and responsibilities of all employees for whom you are responsible
7. the employees most at risk and those with a specific responsibility for security
8. the methods of handling sensitive situations
9. the legal implications of an incident of violence at work
10. your organisation’s procedures in relation to dealing with incidents and strategies for handling violent situations
11. the relevant legislation on lone working
12. the legal responsibilities in relation to lone workers
13. your organisation’s duties in relation to training, supervision and monitoring the lone workers
14. the lone workers’ legal responsibilities
15. the possible hazards and grades of risk associated with of working alone
16. the extra demands on the lone workers’ physical or mental stamina
17. the risk assessments in relation to lone workers
18. how to carry out risk assessments for lone workers
19. how to control risks for lone workers
20. how to review risk assessments
21. how to develop effective procedures for the management of lone working
22. the types of equipment which can be used to minimise risks to lone workers
23. the instructions and training required for lone workers
24. why it is important to maintain regular contact or supervision with lone workers
25. why it is important to review policies, procedures and working practices regularly
26. the relevant legislation for health and safety at work
27. the legal responsibilities and your organisation’s policy and procedures

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Lone Workers
Lone workers are those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision. They are found in a wide range of situations, for example:

• People in fixed establishments where:
• People working alone in a premises, for example, in small workshops, petrol stations, kiosks, shops and also homeworkers.
• People who work from home.
• People work separately from others, for example, in factories, warehouses, some research and training establishments, leisure centres or fairgrounds.
• People work outside normal hours, for example, cleaners, security, special production, maintenance or repair staff.

Mobile workers working away from their fixed base:

• On construction, plant installation, maintenance and cleaning work, electrical repairs, lift repairs, painting and decorating, vehicle recovery.
• Agricultural and forestry workers.
• Service workers, for example, rent collectors, postal staff, social workers, home helps, district nurses, pest control workers, drivers, engineers, architects, estate agents, sales representatives and similar professionals visiting domestic and commercial premises.

It should be recognised that staff can be lone working even in a larger environment (not in sight or hearing distance of other workers), for example, receptionists, and that some staff become temporary lone workers.

Hazards for Lone Workers
Special hazards which lone workers can encounter are, for example:

• accidents or emergencies arising out of the work, including inadequate provision of first aid
• sudden illnesses.
• inadequate provision of rest, hygiene and welfare facilities.
• violence from members of the public and/or intruders.

Risk Assessment for Lone Working
The key to maximising safety wherever lone work is under consideration is the performance of a satisfactory risk assessment which should address two main features:

• whether the work can be done safely by a single person.
• what arrangements/controls are required to ensure the lone worker is at no more risk than employees working together.

The risk assessment should be reviewed regularly to make sure that it is still adequate.

Control Measures for Lone Working
These can include, for example:

• Instruction
• Training
• Supervision
• Protective equipment
• Other devices to raise alarm
• Video cameras/alarms
• Security locks
• Automatic warning devices
• Checks that the lone worker has returned to their base or home as expected.

Legal Duties of Employers
Although there is no general legal prohibition on working alone, the broad duties of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 still apply. These require identifying of hazards of the work, assessing the risks involved, and putting measures in place to avoid or control the risks.
Employers need to be aware of any specific law on lone working applying in their industry (examples include supervision in diving operations, vehicles carrying explosives, fumigation work).

Procedures and Policies for Lone Working
The organisation’s procedures/policies for lone working could include:

• Details of who the lone workers are. Recognising that staff can be lone working even in a larger environment, for example, receptionists and that some staff become temporary lone workers.

Safety procedures for:

• How details of venues, travelling and times are recorded at base - knowing where their staff are/should be at all times.
• When staff are expected back and how to account for all at the end of a shift.
• Procedures for handover by supervisors (clear details of who is where).
• How frequently should the worker report in and notify changes in plans (late trains, traffic, delays).
• What to do if someone is not where they should be/does not return when expected.
• Providing back-up.
• Emergency numbers.
• Providing suitable personal protective equipment.
• Suitable manual handling.
• Communication methods- including technology to aid communication.
• Testing communications equipment.
• Checking equipment, tools and electrical items.
• Responding to "worst-case" emergencies.
• Illness, accident and emergency.
• Minimising the risk of violence from the public, e.g. elimination of handling cash, constant changes of route when transporting valuables, adequate building security for out of hours working. Consideration should be given to the fact that women and young people working alone may be particularly at risk.
• Provision of adequate rest, hygiene, refreshment, welfare and first aid facilities.
• Instructions relating to equipment carried – staff often carry valuable equipment, risks and valuables.
• Car parks – safety recommendations.
• Hotels – safe practices.
• Driving.
• Safe means of travel to and from the location, especially out of normal hours.
• Evaluation and regular review of procedures.
• Communication of procedures to workers.
• Legal responsibilities of employer and employee.

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ACAS https://www.acas.org.uk/
Equality and Human Rights Commission http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/
Institute of Conflict Management https://instituteofconflict.management/
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) http://www.hse.gov.uk/
Trade Union Congress http://www.tuc.org.uk/
Victim Support www.victimsupport.org

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1

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2030

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Current

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Original

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Instructus

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CFAPMVW14

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Managers and Senior Officials, Personnel, Training and Industrial Relations Managers , Trade Union Representatives and Professionals, Personnel and industrial relations officers

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1135

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Prevention; Management; Lone; Working

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