In this post, we will provide a lone working policy template UK for cleaning service companies as well as a lone working risk assessment.
Are you in need of a Lone working policy template UK?
This is a follow-up post from our post titled: What should you have by law if you lone work?
Lone worker safety
Sometimes you must hire lone workers. In such scenarios, it’s important as a business owner that you are providing necessary care for your staff.
One of these ways to protect your lone workers is to create and implement a lone working policy.
Lone working policy
A lone working policy is a document used to protect yourself and your staff when lone working.
Included in your lone working policy are your risk assessment, best practices, role and responsibilities, work safety procedures and emergency action rules.
Lone working policy Template UK
Below we have our best advice and guidance on setting up your lone working policy template for the UK.
Policy Statement
A lone worker is someone who works by themselves or without the close or direct supervision of another worker.
At XXX Company people are our most valuable asset. Therefore their safety and well-being are important.
We will take reasonable steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees working alone.
We have completed a risk assessment which identifies the risks when alone working.
XXX Company have created safe working procedures to eliminate or adequately control the risks associated with lone working.
Safe Working Procedures
Ensure safety in lone working by following the following steps:
- Follow all XXX Company guidance and arrangements for lone working
- Take all reasonable steps to ensure your safety and welfare.
- Always notify line managers when and where you are alone working. What you’re doing and the time of finish must be documented and informed to your line manager too.
- Inform the line manager immediately of any accidents, incidents and safety concerns
- Take all reasonable steps to ensure your safety and welfare.
- Be aware of all emergency exits and emergency evacuation procedures.
- All windows and external doors must be securely locked.
- Always have means of communication with someone in the event of an emergency.
Company Procedures
- One person can carry out this job safely
- The lone employee has undergone training and can competently carry out the work on their own.
- XXX Company have provided safety steps in place to ensure the one worker’s whereabouts are known at all times.
- Lone workers can obtain advice and assistance when/ if required.
- Lone workers have access to training and guidelines on safe working procedures.
Lone worker risk assessment
When you employ lone workers it is a legal requirement to conduct risk assessments.
These ensure your lone workers are kept safe within your employment.
Below is a template of the lone working risk assessment:
Lone Working Risk Assessment
XXX Companies’ risk assessment is in place to assess the risks when working alone.
Risk: Hazardous materials/COSHH
Control procedure:
Workers are to wear PPE. All cleaning materials are low hazard and the control procedures for COSHH are in place to minimise risk.
Risk: Communication
Control procedure:
Employees working alone must inform the line manager when they start and end their shifts. This should be the same person each time so a break in the pattern is noticed.
Lone workers should use the XXX check-in system to log into their shift and end shift.
When a lone worker is late checking out an alert is sent to the manager on shift.
Lone workers must use an adequately charged and functioning mobile phone on shift. This must always be on thor person.
All staff have emergency contact numbers and up-to-date numbers for staff emergencies.
Risk: Accidents and near misses
Control procedure:
Any accidents or near misses must be immediately reported to XXX Companies’ head office. Management must know of unknown risks asap to discover and control them.
Risk: Personal injury or accidents while working alone
Control procedure:
To reduce personal injury or accidents for lone workers on shift they must follow the working methods and control procedure for the specific cleaning risk assessments. This is to minimise all risks.
Lone workers must only use vacuum cleaners, or cleaning products provided by XXX Company. Vacumn cleaners must have an up-to-date PAT test sticker. Do not use without one of these.
No other electrical equipment must be used on shift unless specified for specialist use and proper training has been carried out.
Sensible working must be carried out and followed while on shift lone working. No higher-risk activities are to be taken place. This includes climbing, working at heights or on steps. No changing lightbulbs, repairing electrical equipment or vacuum cleaner.
Each lone worker on shift must carry a working mobile phone in the event of an emergency, it should be on their person and within reach at all times.
All lone workers must be aware of where the first aid boxes are on shift.
Risk: Sickness or medical conditions
Control procedure:
If any changes in health or illnesses can increase the risk when alone working, the lone worker must contact XXX Company.
Pre-existing health conditions must be shared with XXX Company. Especially illnesses that affect breathing and consciousness.
Risk: Special hazards for specific sites
Control procedure:
Cleaners must be informed of any specific or unusual hazards on the property. Anyone spotting unusual storage must follow directions specific to their location.
Risk: Violent or threatening persons
Control procedure:
Lone workers are at a higher risk of being present to violent or threatening people. Therefore locking and unlocking the windows and doors of the premises is of paramount training.
Local workers are instructed not to open the door to people loitering outside. When on shift, the external building doors and windows need to be locked properly as per the training,
If suspicious people are loitering outside during out-of-office hours do not approach and call for assistance from a safe place.
Should any unauthorised people enter the building the lone worker should call the police immediately.
Risk: Fire
Control procedure:
All employees including lone workers must have the training to be familiar with all fire exits, exit routes, fire extinguishers, alarm call points and assembly points.
Staff are to undergo fire extinguisher training.
Staff must follow fire protocol as per training and keep copies of the procedure on shift.
Having your policies in order is an essential part of managing your business.
Using a proper documentation system will help to organise all your paperwork properly.
Contact us at DocFlite for more information on paperwork storage, organisation and communication between clients and employees.
If you need more information regarding creating a Lone Working Policy check out our post:
