Lone working is inherently more hazardous than normal procedures and should only be undertaken when there is no alternative and only then if it is safe to do so.
In situations where significant hazards exist, personnel are not normally permitted to work alone. Before a lone working situation arises a full risk assessment must be made and a reasonably practicable safe system of work implemented.
There are no restrictions on working alone in the normal office environment.
Safety in relation to working long hours
Working long hours can lead to tiredness and mistakes being made, potentially leading to accidents as well as possibly leading to work related illnesses. The ensuing risk will depend upon many factors such as the individual, the work, hazards present etc.
The Working Time Regulations 1998 and associated Directive have been introduced. Any hazardous activity is subject to a Risk Assessment which should, if relevant, take the possibility of personnel working long hours into account.
If personnel are likely to work more than 12 hours in a day then prior authorisation must be obtained from the relevant CLF Group Leader. In these cases, the CLF has adopted a late working procedure which must be followed.
