Lesson 1 – Understanding Lone Working

1.1 Examples of lone working at MyEstate

Employees may be lone workers when:

• Conducting a property viewing alone.
• Carrying out a valuation or market appraisal.
• Undertaking a routine property inspection.
• Visiting an occupied or vacant property.
• Collecting or delivering keys.
• Opening or closing the office alone.
• Travelling between appointments.
• Meeting a landlord, tenant, buyer or contractor away from the office.
• Working from the office when no colleagues are present.
• Attending appointments outside normal working hours.

1.2 Why lone working can increase risk

Lone workers may:

• Be unable to obtain immediate assistance.
• Have difficulty raising the alarm.
• Face threatening or aggressive behaviour.
• Encounter unsafe buildings or environmental hazards.
• Suffer an accident or medical emergency.
• Enter a property where conditions differ from those expected.
• Experience stress, anxiety or isolation.

Lone workers generally face the same hazards as other employees, but the consequences may be greater because nobody is immediately available to help.

1.3 Shared responsibilities

MyEstate should provide suitable risk assessments, procedures, training, communication arrangements and management support.

Employees should:

• Follow the approved lone-working procedure.
• Keep appointment records accurate.
• Use required check-in arrangements.
• Carry the designated safety equipment.
• Report hazards, incidents and near misses.
• Avoid unnecessary risks.
• Stop or leave an activity when it cannot be completed safely.

Knowledge check

Which employees may be considered lone workers?

Answer: Any employee working without close or direct supervision, including staff attending property appointments, travelling between locations or working alone in the office.