INTRODUCTION

Lone workers are defined by The Health & Safety Executive as “those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision”. Obviously, when these employees are also involved with clients, tenants and members of the public, then the potential risk of aggression and violence is ever present.

As it is the solitary nature of the work which gives rise to the increased level of risk, the importance of

keeping in regular communication with others

access to relevant case history

communication of potential risks

calling for assistance in the event of a serious incident

usually figures highly in any control measures.

Although by definition, lone workers cannot be subject to direct supervision, the employer still needs to provide a system of effective supervision. This can only happen if the lone workers themselves commit and agree to regular contact with the organisation through team meetings attending training events etc.

There are also mutual benefits to both the lone worker and the organisation if regular supervision is maintained:-

incidents can be reported, recorded, investigated, communicated and acted upon

support can be offered in the event of an incident.

potential risks can be discussed, shared and avoided

the lone worker no longer feels isolated and confidence increases

if confidence increases as staff feel supported by the organisation so does their relations with clients and members of the public which in turn reduces incidents of aggression and violence.

HOW THIS WILL BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THE TRAINING

a)by open discussions and action planning on the training course

b)by reference to the legal duty placed on employees as regards personal safety e.g. to make themselves available for training, to take part in incident investigations, team briefings aftercare and support

c)by producing a report highlighting

staff concerns regarding their own personal safety

actions management and the organisation can take to improve the personal safety of lone workers

AIM:

To prepare staff who work alone to be able to avoid, reduce or manage risks to their personal safety at work

OUTCOMES:By the end of the programme, delegates will be able to:-

  • Identify the advantages and disadvantages of being a lone worker
  • Identify potential areas of risk to their personal safety within their work (lone working in a building, 1:1 meetings, home visits, out in the community, travel etc.)
  • Assess risks to their personal safety on a daily basis
  • State the law relating to personal safety
  • Produce a personal action plan highlightingpractical strategies they can take to keep safe in the course of their work and how they can contribute positively towards the culture of the organisation (by improving contact; regular supervision attending meetings and training)
  • Review existing safe systems of work and either reinforced their importance or suggested improvements that need to be made.

State how their own behaviour could either escalate or defuse a difficult situation and how they need to understand they are representing the organisation when out and about

State their options in the face of an attack – escape strategies

TOPIC AREAS

  • Lone Working – Delegates will openly discuss the benefits of lone working but also the potential problems this may cause in relation to personal safety and identify ways in which
  • Violence and aggression at work – In this session delegates will learn that violence is not just physical and that it is importantto report all incidents of violence and aggressionincluding near misses and how to use this information to prevent future incidents
  • Personal Safety & The Law –Delegates will be able to state the law relating to personal safety and identify their and their managers legal responsibility as regards aggression and violence at work
  • Minimising Risk - e.g. travelling around the community, working in other people’s homes or premises, working alone (on and off-site), residential work, working with vulnerable people. Delegates will identify and assess the risks they may encounter when working alone and develop personal strategies for avoiding and reducing those risks including escape strategies. This session will alsodiscuss the problems of emergency response within an environment of virtual team working
  • Managing Difficult Situations -
  • Recognising early warning signals. Delegates will learn how to recognise the warning signs of impending aggressive or violent behaviour at an early stage so that they are able to make their own assessments of the situations in which they find themselves and discuss strategies for de-escalation and how they can make their escape before a situation gets out of hand

BENEFITS:

Increases delegates confidence in the day to day aspects of their work

  • Reinforces the importance of following procedures, guidelines and safe systems of working
  • Reinforces the importance of regular supervision and regular contact
  • Raises awareness of the importance of behavioural issues relating to personal safety