Creating a Lone Worker Policy
Lone worker policy is a set of procedures that help keep employees safe when working alone. To create a successful policy, start by identifying the hazards and assessing the risks.
Then, create a plan for how to handle an emergency. Finally, implement the policies and train your employees to use them.
Identifying the Risks
Lone worker safety is a priority for many businesses. However, every workplace and each job have their own risks. Therefore, a lone worker policy needs to be tailored to suit each workplace’s unique circumstances. lone worker device To do this, it’s important to identify the risks associated with a particular job. This involves assessing the people, environment and tasks that are part of an associate’s job role.
For example, a retail employee who works overnight in a large urban building might be at risk of robbery or assault by criminals. Similarly, a maintenance technician that works alone in an industrial plant might be at risk of exposure to dangerous chemicals or electrical hazards.
It’s also important to consider whether the location of an assignment can be safely reached and accessed by one person, or if any equipment needs to be transported there, for example portable ladders or trestles. Additionally, a lone worker policy should identify any emergency communication plans that associates are required to have in place, including what steps they must take to activate them. This could be as simple as having a lone worker monitoring system in place that employees can use to notify the right people immediately if they feel unsafe.
Assessing the Risks
A lone worker policy is an important tool in an organization’s efforts to keep employees safe. It should include clear processes, roles and responsibilities for everyone involved in the safety of lone workers. It should also clearly describe how employees should report any incidents and the procedure for reviewing them.
The risk of most hazards is amplified when a person works alone, as there’s no one there to spot potential dangers or offer hands-on assistance. This means it’s essential to identify every hazard and determine its likelihood of causing harm to a lone worker.
It’s good practice to involve employees in this process, as they will have useful information about how their work is done that can improve the risk assessment. In addition, they may be able to provide suggestions for improving the controls in place, which can range from upgrading PPE to updating procedures. It’s also a good idea to regularly review the lone worker policy, as hazards can change over time as an organisation grows or introduces new equipment and working practices.
Developing Procedures
When defining your company's lone working policy it is important to set out the procedures employees must follow to stay safe. This may include a procedure to call for help, a system for logging incidents, or guidelines for reporting issues. It is also helpful to outline the responsibilities of managers and supervisors as they will be responsible for conducting a risk assessment, escalation contacts and monitoring lone workers.
It is important to consult with lone workers during this process as they will be the ones most affected by any safety changes. Use a survey or interview them to find out what their fears and concerns are about working alone, any incidents they have experienced or know of and how they manage these risks.
Once the lone worker policy is complete, it should be distributed to all employees who work alone and to any contractors or temporary workers. It should be reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains up to date. Employees should be trained in how to follow the safety policies and procedures and how to use any lone worker devices they may have.
Implementing the Procedures
While every company will have its own unique requirements for a lone worker policy, there are some general guidelines that can help companies draft their own policies. Some of these guidelines include defining who is considered to be a lone worker, documenting all necessary procedures, and creating a reporting system for identifying hazards.
Ensure that all employees who are considered lone workers are aware of the policy and that they understand its purpose. This can be done by holding a team or group workshop where you can openly discuss the reason for the policy, how it will benefit all employees and how it aligns with the organization’s values and goals.
It is also important to provide clear instructions for how employees should respond in the event of a lone working emergency and to outline who will be responsible for implementing these procedures. This may include developing a training program, establishing telecontrol measures or monitoring systems, or providing additional resources and support services for lone workers. Finally, it is a good idea to review your policy regularly and solicit feedback from employees and managers. This will help ensure that the policy is accurate and up-to-date.
evaluating the Procedures
When a company creates a policy for lone workers, it must clearly define the processes, procedures, roles, and responsibilities involved. This is the best way to ensure that all the lone worker safety rules and guidelines are implemented correctly and effectively. It is also important to evaluate the policies regularly and update them when necessary. This will ensure that your lone workers are protected from any new hazards or risks that may arise.
This is because working conditions, employees’ roles and safety regulations change over time. Creating separate lone worker policies allows you to identify these changes and implement appropriate controls.
Developing a lone worker policy involves many steps, including listening to your employees. Conduct a survey to find out the specific fears and dangers they face when they work alone. You can also observe them while they work and take a written inventory of all machinery or chemicals that they could come into contact with. Additionally, it is a good idea to talk to the employees who have been working alone to understand what has been going wrong and how they feel about the situation.