Answer to Question 1:

Hi Paula

Thank you for your question.

It is not technically “illegal” to have a person working on their own in non-high risk activities e.g. working in an office.  Two people are however required where there are “high risk activities” taking place. These could include working at heights, working on gas and electrical systems, working in confined spaces, work on hazardous laboratory processes etc.  

However with regard to the “legality” of your situation; where staff, have to work alone a risk assessment should be carried out. This assessment must take into account the following:

• Identify all at-risk personnel who work alone, define if they are isolated.
• Assess what hazards and risks their work involves.
• Assess their working environment and any limitations imposed on the worker.
• Define and implement safe working arrangements to ensure the risks are eliminated or adequately controlled.
• Ensure the worker is suitably instructed and trained in the necessary procedures for lone working.
• Where it is not possible to devise arrangements for a person to work alone in safety then alternative arrangements providing help or back up will be required.

When assessing the risks to the lone worker the following items should be taken into account:

• Access and egress to and from the work area
• Foreseeable emergency situations – i.e. fire, explosion, inhalation of fumes, or dust resulting in illness and interaction with machinery, etc.
• The process or work being done and the risks associated with it
• The fitness and medical history of the person working alone, for routine work and foreseeable emergencies
• The location the work is undertaken in i.e. at height, segregated areas, external, etc.
• The risk of violence and abuse from a third party
• The use of dangerous machinery or equipment
• The use of hazardous materials, which may be flammable, corrosive, toxic, or harmful etc
• Possible confined spaces - lack of oxygen

• Weather conditions and time of day or night
• Movement of equipment, can it be undertaken safely by one person
• Exposure to dust, gases or other hazardous airborne contaminants
• Training required for emergency or unusual situations
• Provision for special equipment – i.e. hand held radio, mobile phone, lone worker alarm (attack/injury) system, Personal Protective Equipment
• First aid kit and basic training on its use for minor injuries

Examples of Controls measures for Lone Workers:

1.      Contact support structure to be installed and used (Security or Supervisor)

2.      Designated contact person information to be passed to lone workers

3.      High risk activities not permitted by lone worker (either employee or contractors)

4.      Lone workers to be medically fit / no pregnant women

5.      Lone workers to have fire fighting equipment training

6.      Lone workers to be competent for task

7.      Young persons not be lone workers

8.      Ex-standard mobile or walkie-talkie to be available and used

9.      Procedures whereby supervisors /charge hand visit regularly and monitor people working alone

10.  Spot check or periodic site visits covering all shifts where, staff are working alone.

11.  System requiring the lone worker to check in regularly by landline phone, mobile phone or by radio.

12.  Use of lone worker alarm, which would activate if there were no movement by the worker for 20 seconds or a personal attack button, which could be activated by the worker.

13.  Checks that a lone worker has clocked out on completion of the shift.