Lone Worker Policy

Lone worker policy

Last Updated: 05/02/2024

Next Review Date Due : 05/02/2026 

Objective : To ensure the safety and well-being of employees working alone, particularly engineers conducting surveys in various environments. This policy incorporates a generic risk assessment for routine activities and mandates specific risk assessments when circumstances or environments pose unique risks.

Line managers are responsible for ensuring that appropriate task-specific risk assessments are completed where required.  

Generic Risk Assessment:

• A comprehensive generic risk assessment has been conducted to identify common hazards associated with routine lone working surveying activities.

• Employees must follow the controls and guidance set out in the generic risk assessment during day-to-day lone working. 

Specific Risk Assessments:

Specific risk assessments will be completed where additional job-specific information is required to supplement the Company’s generic risk assessments.

All routine activities, including surveys, equipment repairs, sensor replacement, system installation, and training activities, are covered by existing generic risk assessments. Where required, a task-specific risk assessment will be used to capture job-specific details, including but not limited to:

• location and site conditions

• task description and scope of work

• employee details and competencies

• site-specific hazards and controls

• emergency contact and response arrangements

Line managers are responsible for ensuring that the appropriate job-specific risk assessment and RAMS are completed, communicated, and understood before work begins.

Communication:

• Employee must maintain regular communication with their designated point of contact using company-issued mobile phones.

• The Company also uses the My Mobile Worker application, which includes lone worker functionality such as location awareness, welfare check-ins, and alert escalation where required. 

Check-in Procedures:

• Employee are required to follow agreed check-in procedures to confirm their location and wellbeing at appropriate intervals. These procedures may be supported through the My Mobile Worker system. 

Emergency Procedures:

• Clearly outlined emergency procedures will be provided to lone workers, including contact details for emergency services and company personnel.

Training:

• Comprehensive training will be provided on lone working procedures, emergency protocols, and the use of communication devices.

Vehicle Safety:

Employees operting company vehicles must

• comply with road traffic laws

• carry out vehicle checks

• report defects promptly

Vehicles used for survey work are fitted with tracking systems to support safety and operational oversight.

On-Site Collaboration:

• Employees will coordinate with site personnel for awareness and adherence to site-specific safety protocols.

Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE):

• The use of necessary PPE, as outlined in Risk Assessment and site specific requirements must be worn.

Responsibilities :

Employees

• Follow risk assessments and lone working procedures

• Maintain communication and check-in requirements

• Report concerns, incidents, or unsafe conditions promptly

Managers

• Ensure generic and task-specific risk assessments are in place

• Provide training and guidance on lone working procedures

• Monitor lone workers and respond appropriately to alerts or concerns

Review :

This policy will be reviewed every 2 years, sooner if necessary.