A guide to personal safety for lone workers

Written by Nick Pamment, IKON Trainer

In an era where flexibility and autonomy in the workplace are increasingly valued, the concept of lone working has gained significant prominence. Defined by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) as individuals who undertake their duties without close or direct supervision, lone working encompasses a diverse range of professions and industries.  

From remote healthcare workers to retail staff, the solitary nature of this work arrangement presents unique challenges and considerations that demand careful attention. In this Insights Article, I delve into the intricacies of lone working, exploring its benefits, risks, and strategies for ensuring safety and productivity in this dynamic landscape. At the end of the article, I outline the content and benefits of our lone worker training courses. 

Three key steps to keeping ourselves and others safe while lone working 

 1. Aware: 

Look: Observe your surroundings. 

Listen: Be attentive to your environment. 

Intuition: Trust your instincts. 

2. Assess:

Person/s: Evaluate individuals involved. 

Objects: Identify potential threats. 

Place: Consider the environment. 

3. Act:

De-Escalation: Manage conflicts calmly.  

Distance: Maintain a safe distance. 

Defence: Protect yourself when necessary. 

Let’s delve into the essence of a personal safety plan

Those who work alone or in the community should adopt a Personal Safety Plan. Whether operating in unfamiliar environments or within others’ homes, lone workers face unique challenges that necessitate a clear, adaptable strategy for handling conflicts.  

The primary objective of this plan is swift and efficient removal to safety, especially in physical confrontations, followed by seeking assistance from colleagues, security personnel, or law enforcement.   

Given the chaos of such situations, calling for help from a secure location is a priority. Elevated heart rates during emergencies can impede the operation of communication devices, underscoring the importance of ensuring personal safety first.  

A robust plan also aids in maintaining focus during critical periods between seeking assistance and its arrival, potentially involving physical protection techniques like Shielding and Breakaway.   

While organisations typically provide guidance for handling conflicts, aggression, and challenging behaviour, it is always advisable to familiarise yourself with these policies. This knowledge enhances confidence during the action stage of a situation.  

The model below provides a flexible framework that can be tailored to suit the specific needs of any organisation. It incorporates essential elements like Conflict Resolution, Breakaway training, and addressing the ‘Fight or Flight’ response.  

In this Hazard Triangle, I’ve distilled the key elements of personal safety to make them easy to recall and apply, even in stressful situations. The central exclamation mark symbolises the main goal: swiftly moving to safety and seeking help. 

Using a simple traffic-light system, I’ve colour-coded each segment: 

1. Red (Aware): 

This foundational segment highlights the importance of heightened situational awareness. It prompts individuals to stay alert and attuned to their surroundings, including potential signs of conflict or danger.  

By sharpening our senses, we can actively observe, listen, and tune into our instincts regarding individuals and situations. 

Our intuition, often referred to as our ‘gut-feeling’ or ‘instinct,’ plays a pivotal role as an early-warning system and is intricately connected to our limbic system. 

This system communicates through subtle physical responses, drawing upon past experiences, subconscious cues, and our present observations. 

While our intuition is exceptionally reliable, there are times when we may suppress these feelings with logic for fear of appearing paranoid or foolish. 

However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that if something feels unsafe, it usually is

What feels safe for one person may not feel safe for another due to previous experiences, so this should always be considered and respected when we are working with colleagues who may feel unsafe in certain environments or situations. 

We often hear phrases like ‘I had a feeling that was going to happen!’ or ‘I knew that was going to happen!’ following serious incidents, yet we may disregard these warning signals. While decisions shouldn’t solely rely on a ‘hunch,’ it’s essential to acknowledge and incorporate these feelings into our scanning and information-gathering process. 

American Security Specialist Gavin De Becker extensively explored this aspect in his books ‘The Gift of Fear,’ ‘Protecting the Gift,’ ‘Fear Less,’ and ‘Just 2 Seconds.’ His work provides compelling examples of our innate survival responses, offering valuable insights for a deeper understanding of personal safety. 

2. Amber (Assess): 

Moving clockwise, this section encourages individuals to assess the situation calmly and objectively.  

It involves evaluating various factors, including the people involved, potential threats, and the environment, to determine the most appropriate action.  

We pay particular attention to three key elements (P.O.P.) during this assessment: 

Person 

Considerations about the person include their physical condition and behaviour. Physical condition encompasses factors such as the number of people involved, size, stature, age, intoxication, illness, and injury. Observations of a person’s physical state may determine whether assistance from a colleague, security personnel, or police is necessary.  

Regarding behaviour, we look for warning signs indicating potential conflict, such as signs of agitation, anger, or aggression. These behavioural cues provide valuable insights that inform our response. 

Objects 

We swiftly scan the surroundings for anything that could be used as a weapon, whether against us, someone else, or even by the person. We assess if objects are within reach or if the person already possesses something potentially harmful, like a hot cup of coffee.  

Can we prevent access to these objects by moving them, hiding them, or using our bodies as a barrier? Tracking the movement of the person’s hands can provide clues about their intentions, enhancing our reaction time if needed. 

Place 

We evaluate our immediate environment, considering factors such as the location—whether in a building, room, corridor, office, car park, etc.  

We identify potential exits and barriers and assess how quickly we can evacuate ourselves and others to safety if the situation escalates.  

If exits are blocked, we identify alternative strategies, such as using doors or furniture as barriers or seeking refuge in a vehicle or a busy public area to attract attention. 

3. Green (Act):

Individuals are prompted to take decisive action based on their assessment in the Action Zone. This may involve implementing Conflict Resolution strategies, employing Breakaway techniques if necessary, or seeking assistance from colleagues or authorities. 

Let’s delve into the Action segment, which I call the 3D Action Plan, emphasising De-Escalate, Distance, and Defend. 

The 3D Action Plan operates to achieve our overarching aim.  

The adage ‘Distance is Our Friend‘ underscores the importance of creating and maintaining a safe distance while verbally De-escalating a potentially volatile situation. 

The distance between individuals can dynamically fluctuate as a situation evolves, emphasising the significance of controlling this space. Our Conflict Management Training and Breakaway Disengagement Training Courses provide valuable insights into managing this aspect effectively.  

The ‘Defend’ option within the plan is a last resort tactic.  

The decision to use force is often dictated by the actions of the other person. During a physical assault, the focus shifts to ensuring personal safety and security. Breakaway training becomes invaluable in safely disengaging from physical contact with minimal force. 

It’s crucial to recognise that engaging physically escalates the risk of harm. Thus, our primary goal should be to disengage and move to safety while summoning assistance. There are circumstances, such as aiding a colleague under attack, where employing force may be necessary. However, we must consider the legal and physical implications, ensuring our response is proportionate to the threat. 

U.K. law mandates defensive action to be necessary, reasonable, and proportionate. Once the threat is neutralised, physical force should cease immediately. Our actions should be guided by the principle of doing what is necessary and nothing more, prioritising the safety of all parties involved. 

This concept offers a clear and flexible action plan for managing conflict, ensuring adaptability. 

The model operates cyclically, rotating clockwise, and may require multiple iterations until the overarching goal or resolution is reached.  

Each rotation takes only a few seconds, providing a dynamic snapshot of the situation and facilitating effective intervention. 

In conclusion 

As we wrap up our exploration of lone working, it’s clear that while this mode offers unmatched autonomy and flexibility, it also demands heightened awareness of safety and well-being.  

From establishing robust communication protocols to providing adequate training and resources, organisations and lone workers must prioritise proactive measures to minimise risks and cultivate a culture of support and accountability. 

By embracing a comprehensive approach that integrates technological advancements, regulatory compliance, and a commitment to employee welfare, we can empower lone workers to excel in their roles while ensuring their health and safety remain paramount. Through continued collaboration and a dedication to ongoing improvement, we can confidently navigate the complexities of lone working, enabling individuals to pursue their professional goals while safeguarding their overall well-being. 

‘Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan!’ – Napoleon Hill 

IKON Training lone worker course content 

• Definitions of lone working 
• Dynamic risk assessing 
• Information gathering 
• Recognising vulnerable situations 
• Impact factors – personal and environmental 
• Communication and lone working strategies 
• Verbal and non-verbal communication 
• Communication and de-escalation models and strategies 
• Policies and procedures 
• Lone working policy 
• The legal position on lone working 
• Post-incident procedures 
• Options of support 
• Physical stance and positioning 
• Self-awareness in lone working situations 
• Distance, stance and positioning 
• Escape routes 
• Tactical awareness 

By the end of this course learners will be able to: 

• Define lone working 
• Identify personal safety risks 
• Understand positive communication and strategies to de-escalate 
• Understand policies to keep you safe 

Our lone worker safety training courses enhance the health and safety, self-awareness and confidence of individuals who work without supervision. 

We offer courses tailored to various industry sectors, featuring relevant examples and scenarios: 

IKON Training NHS Lone Worker Safety Training Course 

IKON Training Health & Social Care Lone Worker Safety Training Course 

IKON Training Local Authority & Housing Lone Worker Safety Training Course 

IKON Training Facilities, Retail & Leisure Lone Worker Safety Training Course 

IKON Training Education Lone Worker Safety Training Course 

IKON Training Transport Lone Worker Safety Training Course 

These courses aim to deepen understanding of your organisation’s lone worker policy while empowering staff to resolve situations effectively and safely when working alone. 

Visit our website or contact us on 01473 927333 or via email at [email protected] 

If you found this information valuable, delve deeper into our other insightful blogs. 

Written by Nick Pamment, Trainer