The primary aim of UK Nationwide Ltd Lone Worker Policy is to minimize any potential impact on any individual/employee.

Management will ensure that a thorough risk assessment has been conducted for locations where lone working occurs. Suitable control measures will be implemented to safeguard the health and safety of our employees.

Many employees work independently, and in most cases, they do so without a significant risk to their well-being or safety e.g. employees working alone in office environments, engaged in typical office tasks generally face minimal or no increase risk solely due to working alone.

We are committed to providing our employees with the necessary training for their specific job roles to minimize the risks of any such activity.

This policy defines circumstances in which lone working is considered appropriate, and identifies situations where it is deemed inappropriate within UK Nationwide.These determinations are based on comprehensive assessments of potential risks involved. This policy applies to all employees of UK Nationwide Ltd.

While there is no legal prohibition against working alone, there are general obligations under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1992. These regulations require employers to establish safe work systems and provide secure work environments as far as reasonably practicable.

Employers are also responsible for controlling risks arising from work activities. These duties extend to employees, students, contractors, visitors, and anyone else affected by work activities.

To ensure the safety of our staff and in alignment with this policy and our Health and Safety policy, we require a current insurance document for the respective location. This document must be both available and up to date. We kindly request that staff complete and submit a weekly diary/time sheet to the Operations Manager, outlining their whereabouts and the timing of their activities.

In many cases, the risks associated with lone working are minimal, and work takes place without incident. However, lone workers may be more vulnerable in emergency situations, as they may be unable to request assistance or effectively handle potentially dangerous scenarios.

 

At UK Nationwide Ltd, lone workers will maintain visual and audible communication with their colleagues, who will be capable of providing immediate assistance in the event of illness or injury.

 

As outlined by the Health & Safety Executive, lone working should be avoided in the following situations:

- In confined spaces with a risk of inadequate ventilation (e.g., tanks, manholes, pipes, ducts, flues, enclosed basements, and laboratories using flammable, highly flammable, or extremely flammable substances). However, UK Nationwide Ltd does not anticipate providing services in such circumstances.

In most cases, UK Nationwide services will take place at client workplaces. In these situations, Supervisors will ensure a thorough risk assessment of the working area, including access and egress points. When undertaking activities classified as "higher risk," such as Physical Intervention, Disengagement, and Holding techniques as specified in job descriptions, specific insurance policies and coverage will be in place

 

The risk assessment, termed as ‘visual risk audit’, should encompass the following aspects, as outlined in the pre-event checks section of the standard operating procedures under the "PRE-EVENTS CHECKS" heading.

 

CHECKS

• Safe access and exit arrangements
• Functionality of fire precautions in the building (e.g., fire alarms, emergency lighting)
• Employee familiarity with emergency response procedures (e.g., how to activate the fire alarm)
• Effective communication links (e.g., phone access to the office, communication with the rest of the workplace)
• The lone worker's ability to operate equipment controls independently, including emergency shutdowns   
• Access to a presently certified first aider.
• Availability of a first aid kit.
• The potential need to lift or handle objects that are too heavy or unwieldy for one person.
• Adequate supervision levels at other times to identify and address potential issues.
• Consideration of employee health factors that could increase risks (e.g., diabetes, access to medical attention).
• Evaluation of additional precautions, such as regular contact with another person or the use of a lone worker's safety alarm to detect a lack of movement after a predetermined time.
• Identification of any evident risks, including compliance with DSE Regulation guidelines for working in loud environments, strobe lighting, etc.

 

Any risks identified during the risk assessment will be formally documented and subject to periodic review, in accordance with UK Nationwide’s overall procedures.

 

Employees are expected to respond to telephone and email messages within 12 hours, except during holidays. This requirement helps ensure employee safety and responsiveness. Mobile phones used for work communication should have their voicemail activated to facilitate message retrieval.

 

If you have any questions or require guidelines on Manual Handling or Risk Assessment, they are available at UK Nationwide's head office.

 

The safety and well-being of our staff are of utmost importance. Therefore, we must be confident that you are secure and adhering to the policies and guidelines mentioned above at all times.