Lone Worker Policy

The clear objective of G3 Security Lone Worker Policy is to minimize any impact on any individual/employee.

Management will ensure that a risk assessment has been carried out on the lone working site, and that suitable control measures have been implemented to protect their employee’s health and safety.

Many employees work alone and in the majority of cases they do so without a significant risk to their health and safety e.g. employees working alone in offices carrying out typical office activities are unlikely to be at significant risk or increased risk just because they are working alone.

We will ensure that our employees have training of the guard patrol monitoring system that will minimize the risks of any such activity.

This policy defines circumstances in which lone working is appropriate, and identifies circumstances where it would be inappropriate within G3 Security and is subject to a comprehensive assessment of potential risks involved. This policy applies to all employees of G3 Security Ltd.

Whilst there is no legal prohibition to working alone there are general duties under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and also requirements to assess and control risks in the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1992. These require an employer to provide safe systems of work and safe workplaces as far as reasonably practicable, and to control risks that do arise from work activities. These duties are held towards employees, students, contractors, visitors and any other persons who are affected by work activities.

To protect staff and in line with this policy and that of our Health and Safety policy, a current Insurance document for the location should first be acquired. This should be available and current. Staff is asked to complete and submit to the Operations Manager a weekly diary/time sheet detailing whereabouts and timing of activities undertaken.

1. In many cases, the risks are low and work takes place without incident. However, in an emergency, lone workers are more vulnerable because they may not be able to summon assistance or deal effectively with a potentially dangerous situation.
2. A lone worker at G3 Security Ltd will have both visual and audible communications with other members of staff, who will be capable of providing assistance without delay, should illness or injury occur.
3. In the following situations identified by the Health & Safety Executive, lone working should not be allowed:

In confined spaces where there may be a risk of inadequate ventilation (e.g. tanks, manholes, pipes, ducts and flues, enclosed basements, and in laboratories using flammable, highly flammable or extremely flammable liquids, flammable gases, asphyxiates, toxic and corrosive substances. However, G3 Security Ltd does not foresee any circumstances by which services will be provided under these circumstances.)

4. In most circumstances security services will take place at a client’s workplace. In such circumstances Supervisors will ensure a risk assessment of the working area, and access and egress to this area, has been carried out. Whilst conducting activities considered ‘higher risk’ such as Physical Intervention; Disengagement and Holding techniques as part of roles and responsibilities detailed in your job description, specific insurance policies and cover is in place.
5. The risk assessment – visual risk audit – should cover the following points as outlined in the pre-event checks section of the standard operating procedures under the heading PRE-EVENTS CHECKS.

CHECKS:

• Is there safe access and exit arrangements?
• Are the fire precautions for the building fully operational (e.g. fire alarm, emergency lighting)?
• Is the staff fully familiar with how to respond in an emergency? E.g. how to activate the fire alarm?
• Is there effective communication links (phone to the Office, communication with the rest of the workplace)?
• Can the lone worker operate all the equipment controls on his / her own, including emergency shutdowns?
• Is there access to a currently qualified first aider?
• Is there access to a first aid kit?
• Is there, or could there be, a requirement to lift or handle objects which are too heavy or unwieldy for one person?
• Is the level of supervision at other times sufficient to ensure that any problems are identified and dealt with?
• Are there aspects of the staff’s health that could lead to increased risk, for example, if diabetic, would they have access to medical attention?
• Are other precautions necessary, for example, could the lone worker make regular contact with another person, should they be equipped with lone worker’s safety alarm (to detect absence of movement after a pre-set time)?
• Do staff face any obvious risks? Show them the DSE Regulation guidelines on working in loud environments, strobe lighting etc.

Any risks found as a result of a risk assessment will be formally documented and reviewed at reasonable intervals. This requirement is part of G3 Security’s overall procedures.

Employees must reply to telephone and email messages within 12 hours (except when on holiday). This helps to ensure that employees are safe and responsive. Mobile telephones used for work communication must have their answer phones activated to enable messages to be left.

If you have any queries, or would like guidelines on Manual Handling or Risk Assessment they will be made available at G3 Security’s head office.

The safety of our staff is of paramount importance. As such we need to know you are safe and conforming to the above policies and guidelines at all times.