1. Purpose
Equra College London (“Equra”) is committed to protecting staff and others who may be required to work alone or without close supervision. This policy sets out arrangements to reduce risks linked to lone working and to support personal safety.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all staff, contractors and volunteers who may work alone, including:
- Out-of-hours work on site
- Working in classrooms/offices without other staff nearby
- Opening/closing premises
- Off-site activities and travel where staff are alone
- Remote working where lone working risk may be relevant
3. Definition
Lone working means working without close or direct supervision, in circumstances where immediate assistance is not readily available.
4. Principles
Equra will:
- Identify and assess lone working risks
- Implement proportionate controls to reduce risk
- Provide clear guidance and escalation routes
- Review arrangements after incidents or changes in risk
5. Roles and responsibilities
5.1 Governing Body
- Ensures oversight and resourcing for lone working controls.
5.2 Health and Safety Lead
- Oversees the lone working risk assessment approach and reviews incident trends.
5.3 Managers
- Identify roles/tasks that involve lone working
- Ensure risk assessments are completed and controls implemented
- Ensure staff understand procedures and escalation routes
5.4 Lone workers
- Follow lone working controls
- Report hazards, unsafe situations and incidents promptly
- Maintain situational awareness and prioritise personal safety
6. Risk assessment
A lone working risk assessment must consider:
- Location and environment
- Time of day and duration
- Access/egress and lighting
- Presence of visitors/unknown persons
- History of incidents, conflict, or antisocial behaviour
- Communication reliability (signal, devices)
- Health factors and fatigue
- Work activity risk (handling cash, equipment, or sensitive data)
7. Lone working controls
Depending on risk level, Equra may require one or more controls:
7.1 Planning and scheduling
- Avoid lone working where reasonably practicable
- Restrict lone working to authorised activities
- Ensure knowledge of who is on site
7.2 Sign-in/out and check-in arrangements
- Lone workers must confirm start and end times
- Check-in calls/messages at agreed intervals
- Escalation steps if check-ins are missed
7.3 Access control and site security
- Maintain secure entry/exit arrangements
- Keep doors secured where appropriate
- Do not allow unauthorised persons into restricted areas
- Avoid meeting unknown visitors alone without approval
7.4 Communication
- Lone workers must have a charged phone and emergency contact numbers
- Where appropriate, provide alternative contact methods or panic alarm arrangements
7.5 Personal safety guidance
- Keep valuables secure
- Do not put yourself at risk to challenge unknown persons
- Withdraw and seek support if threatened
- Call 999 where immediate danger exists
8. Dealing with visitors and meetings
8.1 Where a meeting with a visitor is required, Equra will arrange it during normal hours and in an appropriate space where support is available.
8.2 Lone workers should not meet unknown visitors alone without prior authorisation and risk controls.
9. Incident response
If a lone worker feels unsafe:
- Leave the area if safe to do so
- Contact a manager or agreed emergency contact
- Call 999 if there is immediate danger
- Report the incident to the Health and Safety Lead as soon as possible
All incidents and near misses must be recorded under Equra’s Incident Reporting Procedure.
10. Training and awareness
Equra will provide guidance and training appropriate to lone working risks, including personal safety, de-escalation where relevant, and incident reporting.
11. Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner following incidents, risk assessment changes, or changes in premises and working patterns.