Lone worker
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (March 2016) |
A lone worker (LW) is an employee who performs an activity that is carried out in isolation from other workers without close or direct supervision.[1] Such staff may be exposed to risk because there is no-one to assist them and so a risk assessment may be required.[2][3][4]
Examples of lone workers
There are different types of lone workers including:
- People working at home such as telecommuters, affiliated marketers, writers
- Workers in the energy industry or oil and gas Industry including upstream workers like surveyors, land managers, drillers, and midstream or downstream workers such as refinery workers and drivers
- Construction workers
- Mobile workers such as traveling salesmen, truck drivers, health visitors, repair technicians
- People who work in any type of manufacturing facility
- People working outside normal hours such as security guards, cleaners
- Utility workers such as meter readers or technicians
- Self-employed people
- People who work apart from their colleagues such as receptionists, retail clerks, service station attendants
Countries with lone worker legislation
The following countries have enacted lone worker legislation:
- Australia
- Canada (Provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan)
- France
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- Spain
In Australia
Australia has legislation regarding lone workers and their employers.
- Guidance Note, Working Alone 2009[5]
In Canada
Some of the provinces in Canada have enacted legislation regarding employer's responsibility towards Lone Workers.
Alberta
- Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety Code: An Explanation of the "Working Alone" Requirements 2009 [6]
- Working Alone (Part 28 of the Occupational Health and Safety Code) 2009[7]
Additional Province-issued documents include:
- Working Alone Safely – A Guide for Employers and Employees 2000[8]
British Columbia
- Working Alone or in Isolation Regulation 2011[9]
- WorkSafeBC OHS Regulations General Conditions Part 4 2009[10]
Manitoba
- Code of Practice for Workers Working Alone or in Isolation 2006[11]
- Workplace Health and Safety Regulation Part 9[12]
Saskatchewan
- The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 1996[13]
In France
France has enacted laws protecting lone workers.
- Code du travail - Article R4512-13 2008[14]
In Germany
Germany has codified laws mandating when it is legal to work alone and how those workers must be protected.
- § 5 Arbeitsschutzgesetz
In Spain
Spain has codified laws governing the protection of lone workers.
- Ley 31/1995 de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales 1995 [15]
In the United Kingdom
The UK has a Code of practice relating to the 'Provision of lone worker services' via the British Standard, BS 8484. In August 2016, the standard was republished, and BS 8484:2016 was introduced (This supersedes BS 8484:2011 which will be withdrawn on 28 February 2017).
Other UK legislation relevant to the safety of lone workers:
- The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977(a) and The Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996(b)
- The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007
- Fire Act 2005
In November 2015, The Sentencing Council introduced a 'Definitive Guideline for Health and Safety Offences, Corporate Manslaughter and Food Safety and Hygiene Offences', effective in sentencing from 1 February 2016. [16] Fines imposed are considered in accordance with a number of factors:
- the culpability of an organisation or individual;
- the likelihood of harm;
- financial information relating to an organisation - i.e. fines can now be directly linked to the turnover of a business or the earnings of an individual
Managing lone workers
Common practices used by companies to manage the personal safety of their Lone Workers are:
- Conducting Risk Assessments
- Documenting a Lone Worker Policy
- Implementation of a Buddy System
- Lone Worker Training
- Conflict Management Training
- Use of monitoring systems and equipment (Panic Alarms, Mandown (fall/impact) Detectors, Pendant Trackers, GPS based Mobile Apps.
See also
References
- ^ [1], BSIA Lone Workers guide for Employers
- ^ Phil Hughes, Ed Ferrett (2009). "Lone workers". Introduction to Health and Safety at Work. Butterworth-Heinemann. p. 117. ISBN 978-1-85617-668-2.
- ^ [2], NHS Lone Working Guidance Section 3.3
- ^ [3], NHS Lone Working Guidance Section 3.3
- ^ [4], Guidance Note, Working Alone
- ^ [5], Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety Code: An Explanation of the "Working Alone" Requirements
- ^ [6], Working Alone (Part 28 of the Occupational Health and Safety Code)
- ^ [7], Working Alone Safely – A Guide for Employers and Employees
- ^ [8], Working Alone or in Isolation
- ^ [9], WorkSafeBC OHS Regulations General Conditions Part 4
- ^ [10], Code of Practice for Workers Working Alone or in Isolation
- ^ [11], Workplace Health and Safety Regulation
- ^ [12], The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
- ^ [13], Code du travail - Article R4512-13
- ^ [14], Ley 31/1995. de 8 de noviembre, de Prevencion de Riesgos Laborales
- ^ [15], Sentencing Council - Definitive Guideline, Health and Safety Offences, Corporate Manslaughter and Food Safety and Hygiene Offences Nov 2015.