Raising the standard of lone worker security

Raising the standard of lone worker security

There are over six million lone workers in the UK, representing approximately 20 per cent of the workforce. Within the NHS, they represent the ‘hidden’ workforce that is under represented in the offices and wards they rarely frequent. Here, we analyse the issue of lone worker protection

Written by Michael Lyons

Whilst the British summertime is quickly approaching, you can guarantee it will not be long before the early evening dim once again seeps in. Often having to think months ahead in terms of operations and workforce rotas, the number of lone workers in the NHS could continue to rise, largely driven by the advances in wireless communications technology and the staffing issues within the health service.

Therefore, there is a clear need for employers to consider the policies and procedures in place to safeguard employees whose role might involve working unsupervised.

Although there is no common definition of a lone worker across Europe, there does appear to be some commonalities in the definition across the UK. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines lone workers as ‘those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision’, whilst the NHS – the UK’s largest employer – defines a lone worker as ‘staff who work, either regularly or occasionally, on their own, without access to immediate support from work colleagues, managers or others. This could be inside a hospital or similar environment or in a community setting’.

Lone working, almost by definition, can be both intimidating and at times dangerous. The protection of lone workers, therefore involves a two-fold approach, not only to provide safeguards, but also to offer reassurances to the people involved.

The risks faced by lone workers usually fall within three main groups; physical or verbal violence and aggression; occupational risks such as slips, trips or falls; and personal wellbeing risks such as medical conditions. Whilst these risks aren’t exclusive to lone working, they are greater, and if an incident does occur, the alarm may not be raised until it is too late. These risks may be higher still as winter draws in and the nights become longer.

Employers have a legal obligation to keep their lone workers safe under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Employers have a duty to assess risks to lone workers and to take steps to avoid or control risks where necessary, however, despite this, many businesses do not know what safety solutions provide adequate protection for their lone workers.

Part of the confusion lies in the issue of ownership; who’s responsibility is it? Who within the company should pay for lone worker security solutions? Is it a security expense, or a health and safety one? The private security industry has also struggled with this positioning, finding it hard to know who should be targeted within a company.

Technology advances

The development of technology and practice in the field of lone worker security has focused on encouraging and enabling lone workers to consider the risks they might face in their roles and subsequently provide them with the means both to summon aid in the event of emergency, but also to collect vital information that can be used as evidence should the situation call for it.

Whilst there is a huge selection of lone worker devices available on the market, typically, devices provided by a credible supplier will all offer similar functional capabilities. Some of these functions include two-way audio connection between the Alarm Receiving Centre and the user; GPS tracking; ‘Man down’ alarms which automatically raise the alarm if a sudden impact is detected; and the ability to record evidence for prosecution purposes. Smartphone software applications are also available as an alternative to using a dedicated device, which is a viable option for those that do not want to carry around additional hardware.

NHS Employers

In February last year, NHS Employers produced guidance to raise standards of workplace health, safety and well-being in healthcare organisations and to promote a safer working environment for all healthcare staff, specifically targeting safety for lone workers.

Acknowledging that an increasing number of health and social care staff work alone in community settings, such as patients’ homes or on outreach work, the guidance says that lone workers can be vulnerable and at increased risk of physical or verbal abuse and harassment from patients, clients, their relatives or members of the public, simply because they don’t have the immediate support of colleagues or security staff.

It focuses upon two main ways to combat this threat: prevention and risk assessment. NHS employers have a legal duty to carry out risk assessments of any work-related activities that present a risk to your personal safety. This risk assessment should identify who might be harmed, the dangers they face and any measures that can be taken to prevent and reduce the risk of injury. This assessment should take into account the job you are doing, the environment in which you will be working, the patients you will be dealing with (for example do they have a record of violence), and any factors specific to yourself such as training and competencies.

The risks faced by lone workers usually fall within three main groups; physical or verbal violence and aggression; occupational risks such as slips, trips or falls; and personal well-being risks such as medical conditions

Tackling prevention, the guidance says that your employer should firstly look at ways of eliminating the hazard. For example, if the risk is caused or increased by you visiting a patient, it may be safer if the patient comes to you and is treated in a safe and secure environment.

Alternatively, it may be safer if you are accompanied by a colleague on your visit. Inevitably there may be circumstances when you regularly visit patients on your own. If this is the case, your employer must invest in implementing a safe system of work that deals with the risks to lone workers, including a means of discreetly raising the alarm (known as a lone worker safety device). However, it is important that this technology is supported by robust reporting systems that include colleagues knowing where you are and points of contact should you get in trouble.

FURTHER INFORMATION

https://www.nhsemployers.org/-/media/ Employers/Publications/HSWPG-Lone- Workers-staff-guide-210218-FINAL.pdf