009.1 - Policy Statement

Lone working environments present a unique health and safety problem. Although there is no specific legal guidance on working alone, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and the Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1992, Open Homes has a responsibility to organise and control the health and safety of lone workers.

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines and procedures for employees and volunteers who may be required to work alone as part of their roles.

Lone working refers to situations where an employee works without close or direct supervision or assistance from colleagues, or a volunteer is one-to-one with a young person we support. This policy aims to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of lone workers while promoting efficient and effective work practices.

009.2 - Scope

This policy applies to all employees or volunteers who may be required to work alone, either regularly or occasionally, in the course of their work. It encompasses all work locations, including on-site, off-site and all volunteer premises.

009.3 - Responsibilities 

009.3.1 – Management Responsibilities

• Assess and identify roles that involve lone working and ensure that proper risk assessments are conducted for those positions.
• Implement control measures to mitigate risks associated with lone working, such as providing appropriate training, equipment, and support.
• Provide clear communication and guidance to lone workers regarding the lone working policy, procedures, and available resources.
• Monitor the well-being and safety of lone workers and address any concerns or issues promptly.
• Investigate and document any incidents or accidents involving lone workers and take appropriate corrective measures to prevent future occurrences.

009.3.2 – Lone Worker Responsibilities

009.3.2.1 – All Workers

• Familiarise themselves with the lone working policy and procedures and comply with them at all times.
• Participate in any required training and seek clarification or guidance when necessary.
• Take responsibility for their personal well-being and security, including identifying potential risks and taking appropriate precautions.

009.3.2.2 – Volunteers

• Report any potential hazards, security concerns, or incidents promptly to the Open Homes service.
• Maintain regular communication with the Open Homes services, providing updates on their whereabouts.

009.3.2.3 – Staff

• Report any potential hazards, security concerns, or incidents promptly to an additional Open Homes staff member for support if required.
• Maintain regular communication with a responsible individual on Open Homes team. 

009.4 - Control Measures

009.4.1 – Risk Assessment

Open Homes conducts thorough risk management for all staff and volunteers detailed in the [046.11 Risk Management Policy].

009.4.2 –Staff Working in the Office or Home

Each staff member should receive a health check in if alone in the office or home on any working day.

Monitoring workloads on task management software (such as Asana) can help prevent the increased mental health risk in lone working.  

009.4.3 – Staff Operating Off-Site

Those staff on visits for work purposes should record beforehand the location and time in their personal Outlook calendar.

Any staff member on a visit should report their arrival on site and departure to the office in working hours or otherwise to the on-call phone.

Potential hazards, security concerns, or incidents on the visit require prompt reporting to the Open Homes office inworking hours or the on-call phone.  If this situation continues to escalate then a further staff member might need to join the lone worker for support.