Visitor Safety in the Countryside Group

I am a new safety advisor at Chatsworth House and am currently auditing the activities at both Chatsworth House and Bolton Abbey and a recurring theme for some of our workers is lone working - whether this is during their normal day to day duties (such as gamekeeping, shepherds, forestry) or for emergencies at night( such as fallen trees, dead animals on the highway). Mobile phones do not work in some areas of our estate and are relied on too heavily in my opinion.

I wondered if anyone was willing to share any systems they are currently using for their workers and any experience of using outside companies (who can provide GIS systems to locate people)? Any feedback would be much appreciated.

We undertake Lone Working risk assesssments and control methods very according to risk.

Higher risk activites might involve ringing in at intervals (we can use radios for mobile dead spots).

Lower risk activities might simply involving ringing in at the end of the day.

Some risks we have determined should not be lone working.

Our system is much the same as that described by Geoff.  The key (as usual) is risk assessment.  The more dangerous activities should simply not be allowed to take place ‘alone’ others are graded and the precautions/system more or less onerous accordingly.  I am currently revising our blanket rules for lone working (those that apply to all - corporately) and the advice for more specific/targetted assessments.  We/I have considered various forms of communications and these are inevitably an important part of the assessment and subsequent system employed.  If you would like to discuss further and possibly liaise (we are local) I would be happy to hear from you.  Call 07890 274662 email

Matthew,
We reviewed and re-issued our lone working guidance last year - it includes advice to our properties on a range of different lone working scenarios that cover both countryside working and issues around staff working in typical mansion properties.  We also use an alarm service and GPS devices from a firm called Skyguard.  I’m happy to share our procedures and if you take up Jon’s offer, possibly a combined meeting would be useful, as I’m based between Leeds and Sheffield.  I’m sure that establishing a link between the NTand Chatsworth would be mutually beneficial anyway.

There was an HSE prosecution on lone working last year - see http://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/experience/50.htm?ebul=agric/issue05&cr=04

Mark

Hi Matthew
Similarities with the others in that its risk based, and our internal instructions set out where loneworking is not allowed or where use of a buddy system is mandatory.  The buddy system is by default our nationally provided one - Loneworker - unless exemption from its use is granted by the Regional Director and local Safety Advisor.  Set up in advance are a minimum of 5 buddies, and the lone worker logs on and leaves a detailed message about the job, and an expected log-off time.  If the job is not cancelled in advance of this time Loneworker calls the individual for 6 minutes, and if no answer, continues around the buddies until one picks up, then plays the message.  Buddies briefed in advance to call the emergency services if they receive a call.  Currently under review and we may move to Skyguard or something similar in 18 months time as the software provider are gettign less helpful if we find bugs!  Daytime use on large sites though does rely on radios and whiteboards in offices.
Regards
Andy

Thanks very much to those who have replied and I will be taking up the offer to meet up with colleagues locally. We have issued guidelines in the past but it is clear we need to make sure that departments have implemented these. One area i dont think is covered that well is during emergency call-outs at night. Some departsments rely on family members to raise the alarm rather than a robust company procedure which i am not happy about.

Thanks again for the useful info