Lone Worker Policy

1. Statement
Ashbourne College is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all its employees. This policy provides guidance on managing the risks associated with lone working, ensuring that staff who work alone or in isolated conditions are adequately protected.

2. Scope
This policy applies to all staff members who may be required to work alone during their duties, whether on or off College premises.

3. Definition of lone working
Lone working refers to situations where staff members undertake work activities without direct or close supervision. This includes:

• Working outside of standard College hours;
• Conducting off-site activities independently;
• Occupying isolated areas within the College premises.

4. Related policies, legislation and guidance
4.1 Related policies
This Policy should be read in conjunction with other relevant Ashbourne College policies, including:

• Child protection and Safeguarding
• Critical Incidents
• Fire Safety
• Health & Safety

4.2 Legislation and guidance
This policy has been developed with reference to relevant government legislation and guidance.

Full list of legislation and guidance

5. Responsibilities
5.1. The Principal
The Principal holds overall responsibility for the implementation and effectiveness of this policy.

5.2. Line Managers
Line Managers are responsible for:

• Identifying lone working situations within their departments;
• Conducting risk assessments to determine potential hazards;
• Implementing control measures to mitigate identified risks;
• Ensuring staff are trained and aware of lone working procedures.

5.3. Employees
Employees engaged in lone working must:

• Adhere to the lone working procedures outlined in this policy;
• Report any incidents or hazards encountered while working alone;
• Participate in training sessions related to lone working safety.

6. Risk Assessment
A thorough risk assessment must be conducted for all lone working activities. This assessment should:

• Identify potential hazards associated with the task;
• Evaluate the likelihood and severity of risks;
• Determine necessary control measures to reduce risks to an acceptable level.

7. Control measures
To ensure the safety of lone workers, the following control measures should be implemented:

• Communication: Establish regular check-ins via phone or messaging systems;
• Emergency Procedures: Provide clear instructions on actions to take in emergencies;
• Training: Offer training on personal safety, emergency response, and the use of communication devices;
• Supervision: Arrange periodic visits or observations where feasible.

8. Reporting and Monitoring
All incidents or near misses while working alone must be reported promptly to the line manager. Regular reviews of lone working procedures should be conducted to ensure their effectiveness and to incorporate any lessons learned from incidents.

9. Training
Ashbourne College will provide training to all staff involved in lone working. This training will cover:

• Understanding the risks associated with lone working;
• Emergency procedures and communication protocols;
• Use of any equipment or devices provided for safety purposes.

10. Review
This policy will be reviewed regularly and/or following any significant incidents to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness.