Britain is a country built on its railway networks. From transport to exports, railways are a major source of trade, business, jobs and tourism within the United Kingdom.

The importance of railways means there is a wealth of rail-specific legislation and health and safety powers. It goes without saying that railways are dangerous, so you need to know the specific laws in place.

Below, we discuss railway health and safety regulations, including the role of hazard labels and railway guidance. More...

As many of you know, radiation is no joke. You need to stay incredibly safe around radioactive material, and radiation safety procedures are extremely stringent.

Underpinning these detailed safety procedures is a system that relies on radiation labels; if people aren’t aware of radioactive material, then they can’t protect themselves against it.

Below, we discuss how radiation labels are integral to radiation safety, the importance of radiation risk assessments and other safety procedures. More...

Handling glass is always precarious work. We’re not just talking about moving glass or installing it – sometimes, simply sticking things on patio doors and high windows carries risk. Thankfully, we’re here to make sure you stay safe!

Installing window safety stickers on glass doors and windows is bread-and-butter work for professionals, but sometimes, you may have to install them yourself.

Below, we discuss installing safety markers for glass doors, patio doors and windows, as well as the dangers associated with the practice. More...

We are surrounded by health and safety myths. As people regularly state that the practice has “gone mad”, many stories and beliefs enter public discourse based on fiction.

As a consequence, a few health and safety misconceptions have entered popular thinking, distorting the practice and its importance. We all like to think we know health and safety rules well, but sometimes, our beliefs can be wrong.

Below, we list a few common myths, misconceptions and health and safety facts to put your health & safety knowledge to the test. Simply pick which letter you think is correct. More...

Lone working is common for many employees in the UK. And, whether you’re working a night shift alone in a shop or hotel, working alone in an office or working separately from everyone else in a factory, lone working carries risk.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, lone working has become more common. Outside of working from home, staff members who previously worked in pairs or small groups may have now found themselves working alone.

The definition of a lone worker is someone who:

• Works alone at a fixed base, such as a hotel, shop or petrol station.
• Works alone in farming or agriculture. 
• Works apart from other people in a shared workspace (such as security staff and cleaners).
• Works from home.
• Works away from a fixed base, such as those who work “from the road” (for instance delivery drivers, nurses, social care workers, postal staff).

Below, we discuss the lone working risks, how to enact a lone worker safety policy and how to carry out a lone working risk assessment.

Lone Working Risks

Lone working risks are similar to the usual risks that come with working together with a team. However, they come with the caveat that workers are usually isolated, making the consequences of these risks much worse.

In total, lone working risks include:

• Accidents and injuries resulting in a lack of proper first-aid.
• Poor provision of hygiene, rest and welfare provisions.
• Security issues, such as encountering violent members of the public or intruders.
• Mental health challenges.

The majority of lone workers are trained on how to deal with the above, but to ensure they’re safe, employers with lone workers should adhere to the law and create a lone working risk assessment.

Lone Working: What Does The Law Say?

There is no specific law regarding lone working. Instead, it comes under The Health and Safety At Work Act and The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.

These laws are hefty documents with numerous guidelines and rules to adhere to, but when it comes to lone working, it essentially boils down to the following:

• An employer must deal with any risks associated with home working before an employee is allowed to do so.
• All risks must be assessed: including violence, manual labour, the health of the worker, hazards around the workplace and any mental health risks.
• There must be an assessment of whether training is needed, preparations must be made to ensure staff are trained.
• Systems must be put in place to ensure the lone employee can report accidents and any issues quickly.

Underpinning all of this is the need for a comprehensive assessment and safety policy.

How to Create a Lone Working Risk Assessment and Safety Policy

There is no legal requirement to create a specific lone working risk assessment. However, lone working should be considered in your general risk assessment and safety policy.

This means, when carrying out your risk assessment, you should make lone working provisions such as:

• Considering how risks differ when encountered by a lone worker.
• Putting separate steps in place to navigate risks for lone workers.
• Considering how risks change when they involve a lone worker.
• Using risk assessments to inform safety policy.
• Regularly updating risk assessment and safety policy in line with lone workers’ experiences.

To learn more about risk assessments, consider reading our blog on the subject: Risk Assessment Kits: Prevent Accidents & Injuries in Your Workplace.

If In Doubt, Consider Safety Signs

Whether it’s for the benefit of lone workers or general employees, safety signs can be a big help in the workplace.

Our full range of safety signs covers everything from prohibition signs to health & safety labels, so they can help protect all types of employees.

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