Page 1 of 9 MANAGING PERSONAL SAFETY AT WORK POLICY AND GUIDELINES 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Personal safety at work takes many forms and applies to all employees, but the context of this policy and guidance encompasses three specific issues: Lone working Work-related violence Personal Safety 1.2 The primary elements of all three issues are addressed, though it must be stressed that only by implementing the risk assessment process will sections and staff be able to fully identify and manage their own specific risks. 2. DEFINITIONS 2.1 Lone working Whilst health and safety legislation provides no specific definition of lone working it can be described as “work that is specifically intended to be carried out by unaccompanied persons, without direct supervision or immediate access to another person for assistance”. Lone working does not generally apply to the likes of the first or last person at work (except those with specific opening/lock-up duties), or an individual going unaccompanied to a storeroom. Whilst the term “lone working” clearly implies single employees it should be remembered that two, or even more, employees working in isolation could equally be at risk. 2.2 Work-related violence Work-related violence can be defined as “an incident in which an employee is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work”. Work-related violence can be physical or non-physical. Basic examples of each include: Physical Non-Physical Physical assault Threats and threatening gestures Pushing and shoving Abusive phone calls, letters, e-mails, texts Damage to personal property Verbal abuse Kicking, biting, punching, spitting etc. Bullying and harassment Unwanted physical contact Insults, innuendo, ridicule, sarcasm This policy and guidance is aimed at external work-related violence i.e. non- employee violence directed at an employee. Internal employee-on-employee work-related violence should be addressed separately using WATMOS’ Policies