Purpose
PCI Pal recognises that there are several scenarios where some of our staff may on occasion work alone, and where this is the case, seeks to mitigate the known risks of doing so. This policy :
• Raises awareness of the safety issues relating to lone working
• Explains the importance of reasonable and practical precautions to minimise potential risk
• Provides appropriate support to lone workers
• Encourages reporting of all incidents associated with lone working so that they can be adequately managed and used to help reduce risks and improve working arrangements for the future.
Definition
“Lone Worker” refers to people who work by themselves without work colleagues either during or outside normal working hours, whether in a PCI Pal offices or while travelling.
The scope of this policy
It applies to all staff, whether full time, part time or temporary/contract workers.
Policy
PCI Pal advises that staff avoid any situations that might lead them to lone working, as far as is reasonably practicable. Where lone working is required in a particular situation, staff should ensure that their manager and/or someone at their home is aware of their intended movements and available to check-in. If staff have any concerns about their work plans, meetings, work events or conferences that could result in the individual being alone, they should raise these with their manager to allow suitable alternatives to be considered or control measures put in place where appropriate.
Responsibilities
Line-Managers
• Should ensure that lone workers are not exposed to extra risk compared to a group of employees doing the same job
• Should ensure that, if there are any non-standard scenarios where a colleague is lone working, that the activities are formally risk assessed and the colleague informed of any particular hazards. This should identify the risk to lone workers; any control measures necessary to minimise those risks; and emergency procedures. Please speak to the People team to obtain the formal risk assessment form.
• Must raise the alarm if staff cannot be contacted or do not return as anticipated
• Must ensure that all staff are aware of this lone working policy and provide appropriate guidance on lone working
Lone workers
• Should take reasonable care of themselves and others who may be affected by their work
• Must follow any instruction given by management or the company
• Should raise with their line manager any concerns they have in relation to lone working
• Must inform their line manager at the earliest opportunity in the event of an accident, incident of violence or aggression, or any concerns whilst working alone
Colleagues
• Should be aware of colleagues working on their own and alert to unexpected changes of routine, unanticipated periods where there is no communication.
Health and wellbeing
In order to ensure your personal safety, it is important that you share any details of any aspects of your health that could lead to increased risk with your manager and/or the People Team (for example ; pregnancy). We can then jointly plan to mitigate any additional potential risks caused by your circumstances. This information will be treated on a strict ‘need to know’ basis with your confidentiality of the utmost importance.
Reporting incidents
Any incidents or perceived risks encountered while lone working should be recorded, reviewed and acted upon. The report should include a brief note of what happened, when, and who was involved.
