Example Risk Assessment - Lone Working

Example Risk Assessment - Lone Working

This documentcan be personalised to meet the needs of your service area’slone working activities and should be used in conjunction with guidance given on risk assessment outlined within WLCPersonal Safety at Work Procedure (Mytoolkit).

Department: / Location:
Service User (name and address): / Individual(s) exposed to the risk:
Risk assessment carried out by: / Date completed: / Review date:

What will the overall level of risk be when additional control measures have been implemented?

Low / Medium / High
Remember risk levels that are Medium or High indicate that lone working should not take place until action is taken to reduce the level of risk to as low as reasonably practicable.
Main risks and areas of concern / Tick if applicable / Assess the degree of risk after considering your existing control measures
1. Before Visit or job task / Is communication in place (mobile / emergency device / travel route / expected contact & return time etc)
Carry out pre checks - location / property / person
Do you know the location of the lone worker
Is there access to first aid / emergency services
Is the person expecting your arrival / visit
Is the visit during unsocial hours
Is there a risk of violence / Injury
Is the area isolated or potentially an unsafe location
Can plant / substances / equipment be handled safely by one person
Does the workplace or task present a special risk to the lone worker – e.g. electricity / working at height
Is there a procedure to summon help in emergency
2. On Arrival / Parking / distance of travel on foot
Lighting / ventilation / welfare arrangements
Safe access / egress to property / work area
Surroundings – Present specific risks to lone worker
Property Type - (Semi / Tenement / Multi Storey Other)
Lift / stairwell
Communication signal / availability (mobile phone / device)
3. On Entry / Groups Gathering/Loitering
Front Door Security
Concierge Service
Condition of House
Number in House
Client Attitude/Behaviour / threatening
Pets - Type - Are they secured (Y/N)
Ease of escape / exit strategy
4. Post Visit / Felt safe
Felt threatened / intimidated
Would not revisit alone
Would not revisit
5. Other Factors / Is the person medically fit to work alone
Driving conditions / route of journey
Adverse weather / underfoot conditions
If person becomes ill or has an accident

NB: This information must be used to decide how subsequent visits will be undertaken. Please review the risk assessment annually or if circumstances change or an incident happens.

Action Plan

Comment on any actions that could eliminate or reduce the risk to a safe level.

Describe the measures required to make the work safe. Include hardware, engineering controls, and procedures. Say what you intend to change. If proposed actions are out with your remit, identify them on the plan below and request your manager authorises and allocate the resources required.

Proposed actions to control the problem
List the actions required. If action by others is required, you must send them a copy / By Whom / Start date / Action due date

Please follow your service area Safe System of Work (SSOW) and communication process for lone working. Report all incidents immediately and review the risk assessment to reduce foreseeable risk.

Please read WLC Personal Safety at Work Procedure and use Appendix 3 – Lone worker data sheet.

Report to line manager for action
Alert your staff to problem, new working practice, interim solutions, etc
Assessment completed date: / Review date:

This form must be personalised to the service area to reduce the risk to lone workers

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DATA LABEL: INTERNAL ONLY

July 2012