Lone Working – Good Practice Marie Foster Early Years Safeguarding Officer

Aim of the session To share information about the review of Birmingham City Councils lone working policy To consider the issues of lone working for schools and early years settings To share good practice about lone working To invite engagement onto the lone working policy working group

The Legal Framework Is it legal to work alone and is it safe? Working alone is not against the law and it will be often safe to do so. The law requires employers to consider carefully and then deal with any health and safety risks for people working alone. Employers are responsible for the health and safety at work of all their works. They also have responsibility for the health and safety of any contractors or self-employed people working for them. Workers have responsibilities to take reasonable care of themselves and other people affected by their work activities and to co-operate with their employers in meeting their legal obligations Lone workers are those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision.

Birmingham City Council Policy Lone Working: any working practice that involves an employee undertaking their duties alone Managers Responsibilities Bring the contents of the policy to the attention of staff Attend risk assessment training and undertake additional/refresher training as necessary Arrange for lone working risk assessments in accordance with council risk assessment policy to be carried out as necessary.

Managers Responsibilities cont…. Provide employees with appropriate information, instruction training and supervision, this must include refresher training on a rolling basis Take appropriate action response to hazards or concerns Develop and implement systems to monitor lone workers to help keep them healthy and safe. Take appropriate action Retain all prescribed documents relating to health and safety matters. Prescribed documents include, for example, accident reports (this list of examples is not exhaustive).

Employees Responsibilities Employees must: Assist and co-operate with the lone working risk assessment process when requested Take all reasonable care for their health and safety and that of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions Comply with any contact and/or emergency procedures established by their Directorate/Department to ensure their health and safety Bring to the attention of their manager any concerns that they may have about health and safety or changes to personal circumstances, Use any equipment or safety device provided to them in accordance with any instructions or training they have received in us of that equipment or device

Role of safety services To support the Directorate/Department with advice on risk assessment, training, preventative and protective measures, and guidance when requested which enables the effective implementation of this policy

For Consideration Out of hours working Use of rooms within your building Home visits Staff with specific illnesses Individuals responsibilities

The future The BCC lone working procedures are under review Please take some time to discuss amongst your selves what procedures for lone working you have, and what you would like to see added to the updated BCC procedures

Thank You Any Questions?