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Lone workers are those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision. Anybody who works alone, including contractors, self-employed people and employee, is classed as a lone worker.
Hazards that lone workers may encounter include:
• accidents or emergencies arising out of the work, including inadequate provision of first aid
• sudden illnesses
• inadequate provision of rest, hygiene and welfare facilities
• physical violence from members of the public and/or intruders
control measures to be implemented to minimize the risk to lone workers
The risk assessment should prescribe control measures to be implemented in order to eliminate/minimize the identified risks. Such control measures may include:
• communication is very important: mobile phone, telephone or radio
• controlled periodic checks
• Automatic warning devices, e.g. panic alarms, no movement alarms, automatic distress message systems, i.e. pre recorded message sent if not actively cancelled by operative, etc.
• Instruction and training in proper procedures, e.g. code words for potentially violent situations when combined with mobile phone communication.
• use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• health surveillance
• first-aid kits and training
• implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s)
• locking and securing place of work
• implementing correct incident reporting procedures
• provision of counselling
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