Lone Working Risk Assessment

Title of Activity:	Office work outside normal building occupancy
Location(s) of Work:	The Forum, Appleton Tower

Brief Description of Work:

Normal office activities, outside normally expected hours of building occupancy.

Hazard Identification: Identify all the hazards specific to the lone working activity; evaluate the risks (low / medium / high);
describe all existing control measures and identify any further measures required.

Specific hazards should be assessed on a separate risk assessment form and cross-referenced with this document. Specific assessments are available for hazardous substances, biological agents, display screen equipment, manual handling operations and fieldwork. Refer to SAFENET http://www.safety.ed.ac.uk/safenet/guide_page.htmfor details.

HAZARD(s)

RISK L / M / H

CONTROL MEASURES (i.e.alternative work methods/mechanical aids/engneering controls, etc.)

Workplace/Process:

1. Slips, trips and falls

2. Fire or other emergency

3. Electrical accident

Ensure, during departmental self-inspections, that any such hazards, e.g. torn carpets, trailing cables etc. receive prompt remedial attention. Do not work alone outwith normal hours if your mobility is temporarily impaired (e.g. leg injury).

Ensure that you receive appropriate fire safety training and that you are familiar with emergency procedures for your area. Note that special provisions will be in place for mobility impaired persons.

Ensure that PAT tested items (kettles, desk lamps etc) have been labelled “Pass” and that all electrical cables etc. are regularly visually inspected for damage. Do not interfere with plugs, cables etc, when any item is connected to the power supply.

Equipment:

Work with any potentially hazardous items of equipment or materials.

Manual handling of loads

Ensure that any work which involves such items or materials is done during normal building occupancy. Operate a “buddy” system - always being accompanied by a colleague - where this is not practicable.

Do not attempt to lift or move any load single handed which is likely to put you at all at risk of injury. Re-schedule work to time when assistance is available. Alternatively, use lifting/moving aids where this can safely facilitate single person operation.

Violence:

Intruder in building

Safe routes home after work

Ensure that you know how to contact University Security promptly, should you know or suspect that an intruder is present in your building. Do not confront the intruder, lock your door and await the arrival of Security.

Plan out how you will get to your car/public transport/home after leaving your workplace, taking account of potential personal safety issues e.g. well lit routes etc.

Individual:

Personal medical conditions etc.

Ensure that any medical conditions which might be relevant to your working alone are fully discussed with your line manager and, if necessary, Occupational Health and your own GP. Do not work alone if any such condition is assessed as putting you at increased risk.

Work Pattern:

Avoidance of lone and out of hours working.
Log in/log out procedures

N/A

Consider how your work pattern integrates with those of other workers, in terms of both time and geography, with a view to avoiding lone working as far as is practicable.
When lone working is unavoidable, contact University Security to initiate a check-in/check-out system to log your presence in the building.

Persons at Risk: Identify all those who may be at risk.
Academic staff	X	Technical staff	X
P’Grad students	X	U’Grad students	X
Maintenance staff	X	Office staff	X
Cleaning staff	X	Emergency personnel	X
Contractors	X	Visitors	X
Others	X

Training: Identify the level and extent of information, instruction and training required. Consider experience of workers.

Training	Yes	No	N/A
Fire safety training has been given?	X
Fire safety training has been given. Instructions in out of hours procedures are available in the Informatics Safety Policy.

Supervision: Identify the level of supervision required.

Is suitable supervision in place?(identify all necessary supervisory measures).	Yes	No	N/A
Periodic telephone contact with lone workers necessary	X
Periodic site visits to lone workers		X
Regular contact (telephone, radio, etc)		X
Automatic warning devices, e.g., motion sensors, etc.	X
Manual warning devices, e.g., panic alarms, etc.		X
End of task / shift contact	X
Other. Specify……………………………………….	X

Additional Information: Identify any additional information relevant to the lone working activity, including emergency procedures, first aid provision, etc.

Location of First Aid box: Information available on notice boards in each building.

Assessment carried out by:	Dates:
Name: David Wyse	Date: 02/03/2009
Name: David Wyse	Reviewed:

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Lone Working Risk Assessment

Persons at Risk: Identify all those who may be at risk.