Lone working is more prevalent in the workplace, especially with employers facing pressure to cut costs.  However a recent prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive sends out a clear reminder that failure to provide lone workers with adequate protection could carry a hefty price. 

A mental health charity, Mental Health Matters Limited, has been fined £30,000 and ordered to pay £20,000 in costs for health and safety breaches.  In 2006 a 22 year old support worker for the charity was killed by a schizophrenia sufferer when she went to visit him at his home.  The charity is said to have failed to respond to a number of warning signs.

The Judge criticised the charity for failure to carry out risk assessments and said that training should have been given to try and protect the employee.  Employers must take extra care when their employees are working alone.  Risk assessments should be reviewed at least annually depending on the circumstances.

All companies working with vulnerable adults should have a 'Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy' in place to deal with identified risks.  However, paperwork is not enough and the Health and Safety Executive urges employers to ensure the practices and procedures contained in the policy are fully carried out in order to protect employees and ultimately save lives.

Disclaimer: The information and opinions expressed in all Lee & Priestley LLP articles contained in our briefings and on our website - http://www.leepriestley.com are not necessarily comprehensive and should not be relied upon without taking in-depth professional advice.

• Previous Page