Policy Adopted on 10/05/2022 and will be reviewed Q3 2025 – Revision 1.0
1. Policy Statement
The policy sets out the approach that Revive Church will undertake in managing lone working. Within Revive Church it is acknowledged that we have a legal duty to look after the health, safety and welfare of its employees and this includes a duty of care to reduce, as far as is reasonably practicable the risks associated with lone working in the workplace. These duties are set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Safety Representatives Safety Committee Regulations 1977.
Revive Church is committed to the provision of a safe place to work for all employees, volunteers, visitors, contractors and those affected by or involved in church activities. We will take all steps possible to ensure that lone workers are not exposed to additional or greater risks than any other workers. More specifically we will ensure that Lone workers are identified, hazards and risk are assessed, and appropriate action is taken to reduce these risks.
2. Who Should Read this Policy
- Board of Trustees
- Senior Leaders
- Operations Team
- All those lone working as part of their role in Revive Church
3. Definition of Lone Working
The Health and Safety Executive defines lone workers as those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision. This can be split into two main groups.
- People who work in fixed establishments – e.g on site or home workers
- Remote workers working away from a fixed base e.g. drivers, social workers
There is no general legal prohibition on lone working however the employer must identify the hazards, assess the risks involved and put in measures to avoid or control the risks. If the risk assessment shows that it is not possible for the work to be done safely by a lone worker, other arrangements need to be put in place.
Classification of Lone Workers
To assist in determining the level of risk we have identified examples of low, medium and high risk.
- Low risk situations includes: staff working alone in the church office, cleaners, staff working alone at home.
- Medium risk situations include: use of space or lone working in the coffee shop where aggression or dangerous situations are reasonably foreseeable and where colleagues cannot be readily called on by the lone worker in the event of an adverse situation arising.
- High Risk situations include: visiting domestic and commercial premises where risk of violence and aggression or dangerous situation is reasonably foreseeable, working alone with hazardous tools equipment or chemicals and when serious injury may be incurred by the type of work being carried out. Working at heights, ladder use by contractors/staff/team.
This list is not exhaustive and for each staff or volunteer position an assessment would need to be made to determine if lone working will occur and what level of risk that role carries.
NOTE: Young or inexperienced workers who require direct supervision should not be permitted to work alone.
4. Responsibilities in relation to Lone Working
Each department is responsible for implementing arrangements to ensure lone working is effectively managed and that all employees and volunteers are made aware of this policy statement and accompanying risk assessments or guidance.
Board and Senior Leadership Responsibility
- Ensure sufficient resources are made available for the identification and protection of lone workers.
- Identify any posts that undertake lone working
- Ensuring lone working risk assessments are undertaken
- Ensure all staff receive relevant training to ensure competency in safety matters
- Ensure lone workers are not put at more risk than other employees
- Monitor lone worker training
- Maintain a list of any staff carrying our lone working
- Assist department managers to identify the levels of control measures
Managers Responsibility
Lone working should carry no more risk than normal working, but managers must recognize that the risks to lone workers are greater because there is a reduced level of immediate support available. By following normal risk assessment methods, managers should be able to eliminate, or reduce to an acceptable level, the risks associated with lone working.
- To identify lone workers and ensure lone workers risk assessment is completed
- To ensure staff who are lone workers complete lone workers questionnaire and health questionnaire
- To implement the suitable control measures from the risk assessment
- To ensure that any accident, hazard or incident is reported and any control measures identified are implemented.
- Ensure that lone workers attend any relevant training.
- Ensure that employees and voluntary workers during their induction period have adequate additional controls in place
- To implement and ensure procedures are in place in an emergency.
Employees Responsibilities
- To take reasonable care of themselves and others affected by their actions
- To assist the manager by completing a lone workers and health questionnaire annually
- Following guidance and procedures designed for safe working
- Reporting all incidents that may affect the health and safety or themselves or others
- Take part in training deemed necessary
- Reporting of any dangers or potential dangers that they identify or any concerns they have in respect of working alone.
- To comply with the actions identified in the lone working risk assessment
5. Training and Information
Training to ensure competency is particularly important where supervision may be limited, training may also be critical to avoid panic reactions in unusual situations. Lone workers need to be sufficiently experienced to understand the risks and precautions fully. Managers and supervisors should set limits on what can and cannot be done when working alone. Employees must be competent to deal with unforeseen circumstances should they arise. Personal safety training should be made available to lone workers to help them understand the following:
- Advice and guidance not to go into a situation if you feel at risks
- Use of conflict resolution or defusing techniques including being aware of non-verbal communication and how to behave in a non-confrontational way
- The importance of good customer care
- How to be aware of your surroundings and how your actions affect how others may perceive you
6. Risk Assessment Procedure
Risk assessment is an integral management tool that should be completed to ensure that employees and volunteers are safe in their work. Workplace risk assessments should be completed in accordance with the Risk Assessment Policy.
Lone workers self-assessment should be completed by all new staff. If it is highlighted from that assessment that an employee/work team are lone workers, then their manager must complete a risk assessment for the individual/work team. Health Questionnaires should also be completed annually so that additional support can be made available where necessary.