Lone and Hazardous Working Policy June 2010

Transcription

1 June 2010

2 Contents Introduction 3 Definitions 3 Policy Objectives 3 Policy Statement 4 Application 4 Categories of Work 4 Risk Category examples Appendix 1 Risk Category Control measures Appendix 2 2

3 Introduction It is part of every employer s responsibility to make adequate arrangements for the health and safety of workers at all times. This must take into account not only the task but also the abilities and experiences of those who may be undertaking the work. This policy details the arrangements and responsibilities for the management of lone and hazardous working. Definitions Lone Workers: those university workers (see below) who work by themselves without close or direct supervision or contact with a colleague. University Workers: staff, visiting academics, students engaged in university work and contractors employed by the University Hazardous Areas: are areas where workers may be exposed to hazards which are greater than those normally encountered within low risk environments such as Offices. These areas may include Laboratories, and workshops. Vicinity: either in the same area or close by so as assistance can be readily summoned. Same Location: in close proximity so that assistance can be immediately provided. Objectives The objectives of this policy are to put into place procedures for the management of: Lone workers, University workers when working in hazardous areas Assessing the hazard of the above and reducing the risk to the lowest achievable level. 3

4 Application This policy applies to all university workers working on University of Surrey premises; in particular, to managers and supervisors of staff and students and those who actively control contractors engaged on university business. Policy Statement The University will assess and control the risks for workers who are lone working or working in hazardous areas. In accordance with the above the University will: Assess and categorise the risks associated with lone working and working in hazardous areas, Provide adequate controls based on these assessments. Examples of such controls could include the provision of: Defined work activities including written safe systems of work, Adequate staffing to undertake the work safely, Adequate supervision, Suitable training, Suitable emergency equipment and emergency arrangements, Occupational Health fitness assessments for workers, Categories of Work All lone working and working in hazardous areas must be subject to a Hazard assessment by the line Manager/Supervisor. The assessment should initially allocate the activity to one of the following three categories (See appendix 1 for examples) and assign appropriate control measures as shown in appendix 2: Low Hazard Activities Medium Hazard Activities High Hazard Activities 4

5 Hazardous Areas The following applies when working in hazardous areas. Competent Persons Only competent persons may enter hazardous areas. Competent persons may include members of faculty, postgraduates, technicians, visiting research workers and persons of equivalent status who: are directly associated with the hazardous area, are familiar with the layout of the building, are familiar with any emergency procedures, and have received a copy of, and understand, any applicable local safety rules and emergency arrangements. All other persons entering hazardous areas must be accompanied by a competent person. Research Project Students Research project students are allowed access to hazardous areas provided that they: have demonstrated a suitable level of maturity and competence, have obtained authorisation from their faculty supervisor, are familiar with the local safety regulations and emergency procedures. are adequately supervised. Undergraduates Undergraduates are required to be adequately supervised in hazardous areas. Maintenance and Emergency Works All work must be subjected to a risk assessment and, where appropriate, a written safe system of work provided, e.g. Permit to Work. 5

6 Examples of hazardous categories and workplace controls. Appendix 1 Risk Category Activity Hazard Control Measure Low Office Based-Lone working Illness If known illness then consideration should be given to restricting working alone for periods of less than one hour. Consider regular logging in to Security Fire Evacuate to Assembly Point. Report to controlling Officer if necessary. Intruder in Building Secure Building. Contact Security on emergency number if see or hear anything suspicious. Un-planned event University Worker must be familiar with emergency procedures. Low Lone working Collecting routine data/procedure in Laboratory Laboratory Environment Use only specified equipment. Avoid use of hazardous materials (sharps, chemicals, etc) Un-planned event University Worker must be familiar with emergency procedures. 6

7 Appendix 1 Risk Category Activity Hazard Control Measure Medium Working within Workshop/Laboratory Injury Work must not be undertaken alone. Colleague in vicinity. Un-planned event University Worker must be familiar with emergency procedures. High Work within specialised Unit e.g. Containment Level 3, High Toxicity, High Voltage Injury Work not to be undertaken alone. Colleague in same location. Un-planned event University Worker must be familiar with emergency procedures. Emergency Plan Local Incident Plan required. 7

8 Appendix 2 Category Control Measures The following risk control measures should be applied for each hazard category along with any other additional measures identified by the risk assessment. The overriding principle is to reduce the risk to the lowest level achievable. Low Hazard Activities Can only be undertaken by workers who are familiar with the premises and are aware of the emergency procedures. Must be authorised and suitably controlled (see Appendix 1 for examples) by the line manager/ supervisor (or equivalent e.g. Principal Investigator) and can be verbal. Medium Hazard Activities Can only be undertaken by competent persons if there is at least one other person in the vicinity (either in the same area or close by) who is competent to make safe any work being undertaken and is also familiar with any emergency procedures for the area. Must be authorised (using risk assessment form) by the line manager/supervisor (or equivalent e.g. Principal Investigator). High Hazard Activities Can only be undertaken by competent persons if there is at least one other person in the same location who is competent to make safe any work being undertaken and is also familiar with any emergency procedures. Suitable emergency arrangements, such as the provision of adequate first aid or fire safety measures must be in place. (additional measures may be required depending on the time of day when the work is undertaken) Must be authorised (using risk assessment form) by the Head of Department (or equivalent e.g. Director) after consultation with the Faculty/Area Health & Safety Advisor. 8

9 Summary of requirements for Categories of work Category Lone Working Authorisation Additional Emergency Procedures Low Risk Yes, can work alone Line manager, supervisor, (or equivalent e.g. Principal Investigator) - Verbal approval acceptable No Medium Risk No, must be competent and work with Colleague in vicinity Line manager, supervisor, (or equivalent e.g. Principal Investigator) - Approval by Risk Assessment No High Risk No, must be competent and work with Colleague in same location Head of department after consultation with faculty/area H&S Advisor - Approval by Risk Assessment Might be required 9

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12 Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this booklet at the time of going to press. The latest information can be found on the University Health and Safety website University of Surrey Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH UK T: +44 (0) F: +44 (0) E: