Lone Working Policy

Introduction

Due to the increased risk to the health and safety of employees and students when working alone, additional measures need to be considered in order to minimise the associated risk. 

Scope

This policy and associated code of practice provide a framework for Schools and Services to fulfil their statutory duties. Ensuring the health and safety of staff and students while lone working.

Home Working

Whilst in some cases home working is technically lone working, it is relatively low risk and therefore exempt from the requirements of this policy.  However, it is appropriate for line managers to maintain regular contact with home workers so that their safety and wellbeing can be monitored.

Key Legislative Requirements

  • Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
  • Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Duty Holders

Below is a list of the responsibilities of Duty Holders:

Deans of Schools/ Heads of Professional Services shall:

  • Ensure that suitable risk assessments are in place for all lone working activity
  • Ensure that any required risk reducing measures are implemented to reduce the risk so far is reasonably practicable
  • Ensure that adequate time and resources are made available to control and manage lone working arrangements
  • Ensure the effectiveness of this policy is monitored within Schools, Departments and Professional Services

The University Health and Safety Service shall:

  • Monitor compliance with this policy
  • Review the policy and associated guidance periodically
  • Provide information, advice and training

School / Departmental Safety Officers shall:

  • Ensure that all lone working practices are compliant with this policy
  • Ensure that members of staff and students are familiar with this policy. As well as the way that the policy is implemented within the school or service
  • Review risk assessments
  • Monitor lone working activity to verify that suitable and sufficient assessments are in place and up to date
  • Report lone working incidents to the University Health and Safety Service using the Evotix incident reporting system

Staff who are responsible for managing the activities carried out by staff, students or volunteers are considered supervisors. As such they have a duty to ensure the health and safety of the staff/students they supervise and have responsibility where their students/staff are lone working.

Line Managers/Academic Supervisors will ensure:

  • Personnel they manage are competent to complete the task and have been provided with suitable information and training, to manage the risks posed by the activity
  • Risk assessments are reviewed and updated regularly, when significant changes occur or following an incident
  • That relevant staff have downloaded and use the Safezone app
  • If for any reason the Safezone app can not be used to support lone working, alternative arrangements are in place.

University Staff and Students shall ensure:

  • They comply with this policy
  • Only continue to work if it is safe to do so
  • Report incidents or defects
  • They utilise the lone working features of the Safezone app and if for any reason tis is possible agree alternative monitoring and alarm arrangements with their line manager.

University Staff and Students shall ensure:

  • They comply with this policy
  • Only continue to work if it is safe to do so
  • Report incidents or defects

Further Information

  • University Lone Working Code of Practice
  • Violence at Work; INDG 69, HSE Books .
  • Additional information and advice are available from bodies such as the TUC, trade associations or employers’ organizations and some charities, e.g. The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, a national charity for personal safety which offers a range of free and priced publications providing guidance on various aspects of personal safety in the workplace, including lone working.
  • Managing risks and risk assessment at work.