Vital Information on Lone Working

However, as the level of risk to the safety, security and wellbeing of employees can all be increased by lone working, how do organisations ensure that they are fulfilling their responsibilities?

Help is at hand for those who aren’t sure where to start (or want to check best practice), in the form of the Lone Worker Safety Expo Conference, an educational event that brings together experts and specialists to share their knowledge and experience. For the second year in a row, the Conference will be taking place at The King’s Fund, Central London on the 15^th October. 

Nicole Vazquez the organiser and host told us “Last year was extremely well received with the level of positive feedback being overwhelming. It seems that we hit just the right note, with our combination of education and interaction.”

This year the day will be opened by Barbara Hockey, Head of the Vulnerable Workers Team for the Health and Safety Executive. Nicole Vazquez continues “We are thrilled that the HSE are engaging with the Lone Worker conversation. Their input and guidance is vital, helping to ensure that organisations recognise the importance of managing the specific risks that can affect remote and isolated workers.” 

The main conference takes place in the morning, with speakers discussing issues such as realistic risk mitigation, current security risks in the UK and abroad and the potential mental health implications for lone workers. Duncan Spencer, Head of Advice and Practice for IOSH will be sharing insights from IOSH’s research and will then be joining the panel for a group led discussion on ‘A Cohesive Approach to Lone Worker Risk Control’. He will be joined by Spencer Lee, H&S Manager at Arsenal Football Club and Chief Inspector Patrick Holdaway from the National Business Crime Centre, amongst others.  

In the afternoon, there will be a selection of interactive workshops for delegates to choose from including a case study from Sean Elson of Pinsent Masons LLP, looking at the implications of an organisation not fulfilling their legal responsibilities. 

With statistics showing that violence and aggression against staff is on the increase in most sectors, Nicole Vazquez and the team from Worthwhile Training will be inviting delegates to take part in a drama-based workshop, looking at innovative ways to provide effective training to staff, equipping them with the skills to defuse aggression and protect themselves. Other workshops offer a chance to further explore ways to manage the wellbeing of your remote workers with the team from Anker Marsh and a very practical session on reducing security and personal safety risks when travelling.  

Nicole sums up the purpose of the day, “Our aim is to make this event the one place that people attend for advice and guidance on all things lone working – a one-stop-shop so to speak. Although lone working is now on most organisations’ agenda, it still seems that a lot of people are not looking at the breadth of the risks, or if they are, there is still confusion about the best way to manage both the risks and lone workers themselves”.

Nicole concludes “We are hoping that managers and those responsible for lone or remote workers will take this opportunity to engage with experts in the field. The day is interactive from the very beginning, so if you are going to attend, please come along armed with questions”.

You can find more information about the event at www.loneworkersafetyexpo.com