Lone Working: Are We Doing It Safely?

A sobering starting thought but when you work alone, how safe do you think you are? How quickly would someone know if something happened to you?

Are you aware of the HSE advice on lone working? ¹

This month we share some thoughts and pointers to consider; helping minimise the risks when you find yourself working alone and to assist you in meeting the relevant professional standards e.g. (CSP Standard 2.6 ² Osteopathic Standards C5.4 ³ HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics 6.2⁴ ).

How often do you think about your safety when you are working alone?

What have you risk assessed, put in place, and documented – a few tips to assist: –

Before the first visit?

• If it is a first visit, how do you know the person who has just arrived is a client/patient and not a potential perpetrator? Could a triage call be beneficial for new clients/patients?
• If in a clinic, what have you agreed they will use to confirm who they are? Name, DOB, anything else?
• If on a home visit, what have you considered in this scenario, who may also be present, and what are you checking to ensure they are bonafide too?
• Are you seeing high risk individuals or working in a high-risk environment, and would a panic alarm be beneficial?
• When do you see new clients/patients? If working in a team, could the first visit be timed to ensure others are around?

During any consultations?

• Where is your exit route can you access it if necessary?
• If you are taken unwell and the client/patient is now alone, what do they do: – Consider a visible notice with phone location, where to go for help in the building, defib etc.
• If in another location, have you risk-assessed your exit route?
• Where do you deliver treatment in relation to the exit route – could it be blocked and if so, can you change your position?
• Does your scenario need you to consider using a listening device? * 

After the client/patient has left the building?

• Can you see that they have left the area?  Video cams, cc TV, video doorbells
• Is any car park lit at night for everyone’s safety – ask the landlord if applicable?
• Who is your contact for checking in and how long after the final client/patient?  What is the process if you cannot be contacted? Do not be left alone and unnoticed if something happens.

Where to start?

Consider the questions above and start by risk assessing the environment in which you work irrespective of the service you offer i.e. it could be a clinic room in a department or an area used for a domiciliary service. All areas offer differing risks, and all areas offer opportunities to minimise risks.

Wherever you are, consider:

1. How would I and could I escape if I had to?
2. If someone collapses between you and the door, could the “well” person get out to get help quickly?
3. How would I summon help?
4. Am I slightly uncomfortable with the scenario I face and if so, do I need a chaperone?
5. My gut feeling is uncertainty – would a cautious approach be better here?
6. Which location apps should I use e.g. What3words that can in the event of an emergency provide your location to the emergency services.

* Listening devices and points to consider

You may want to consider having a listening device in your clinic that triggers a response from the emergency services when a code word is issued.

Many options on the market can do this, but you must be cognisant of the GDPR rules and regulations and the need to delete the recording.

Clients/Patients must be made aware of the presence of such devices and if they are active. The risk assessment also needs to justify their use. They are for the safety of everyone.

What to do next?

1. Don’t wait until you need to do this, set aside time to plan it now.
2. Write your policy/process – if you have a team involve them to engage them in the process.
3. Complete, make any necessary changes, and score your risk assessments. (If necessary or possible, make changes to the risk assessment to decrease the score.) Note this documentation and its location in your policy/processes.
4. Embed the process within your practice/clinic/team.
5. Be prepared and set a date for an audit to show when and how you will review the situation to show you have been responsive in acting.

Proactive processes are much better than having to make a reactive one.

We can help you work through the steps above, book a free HCPG/virtual-cuppa via this link to share ideas.

The Offer of the Month which includes a call if required is the  HCPG Lone Working Policy this link goes to our store.

Let’s work alone in safety – it’s for everyone’s benefit.

Sources:

¹ HSE Protecting Lone Workers .pdf

²Quality Assurance Standards for Physiotherapy Service Delivery

³ C. Safety and quality in practice – Osteopathic Service standards

⁴ HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance, and Ethics