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Lone WorkingLone Working
Toolbox Talk
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Lone WorkingLone Working
 HSE definition::
 “Those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision”
People in fixed establishments
 Only one person works on the premises
(eg shops, fuel stations, home-workers)
 People who work separately from others
(eg anyone in a one-person office or workshop, home-workers etc)
 People who work outside normal hours, inc the first person to
arrive & the last one to leave each day
(also cleaners, security, maintenance staff etc)
Mobile workers
 Construction, maintenance and cleaning workers
(eg builders, painters, electricians, window cleaners etc)
 Agricultural and forestry workers
 Service workers (eg postmen, social workers, estate agents, service
techs, salespeople, also car, taxi, van, lorry & train drivers)

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Lone workingLone working
 If other people are present
(eg clients, customers, public):
 Major risk may be assault
(e.g. robbery, mugging, sexual, deranged)
 Other risks include interference, obstruction, tasks which require
2 people
 If no-one else is within aural or visual range,
risks include:
 Tasks which require 2 people
 Action in an emergency:
To oneself (first-aid, rescue etc)
To the workplace or equipment (fire, spillage, security etc)



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Lone WorkingLone Working
 Lone working is not in itself unlawful, it is unsafe only if:
 an unsafe situation is allowed to arise.
 the person does an unsafe act.
 Lone working can have a positive effect:
 greater concentration from less chatter or background noise.
 less / no interruptions from colleagues, visitors, telephone etc if
out of office hours.
 fewer distractions.

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Safety while working aloneSafety while working alone
 Check that there is nothing unsafe nor unsuitable about:
 The person (their physical, mental, medical & emotional condition)
 The location and environment
 The tools, equipment and materials
 The tasks
 Plan the activity to ensure that every part of it is safe and
suitable to do on your own.
 Consider normal work and foreseeable problems / emergencies
A few high-risk activities have specific regulations which require 2
people (eg diving, some confined spaces etc)
 This also applies in your private life at home or elsewhere,
whether doing everyday tasks or DIY etc.
Many adults live on their own or do lone leisure activities
(eg fishing, running, surfing, swimming, wind-surfing etc)

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Safety while working aloneSafety while working alone
 Consider action in an emergency
 Who to contact and how
a person elsewhere in the building (eg security guard?).
a person elsewhere on the site.
a person elsewhere (eg family).
the emergency services.
 If you are likely to be alone for a significant time:
 tell someone where you are and what you are doing.
 arrange to call them at an agreed time.
 arrange that if you don't phone them by an agreed time, they will
phone you (give them your contact number!).
 you should tell them what action to take if they don't get an answer.

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P.A.U.S.E.P.A.U.S.E.
P.A.U.S.E.
for thought
 PPlan each task
 AAnalyse what might happen
 UUnexpected - be prepared
 SSlipping, tripping & sprains
 EEntanglement
P.A.U.S.E. for thought ... think safety
A millisecond makes all the
difference

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To concludeTo conclude
 Please think about what you have seen in this
presentation.
 Injuries hurt. Pain isn’t pleasant.
 Safety = 100%
concentration
100%
of the time
 You have choices about your life.