1. Introduction
BrisDoc is committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all members of staff. BrisDoc recognises that the consequences to an individual of feeling at risk at work, for example low morale, stress/anxiety, loss of confidence; may have an adverse impact on the efficient and effective working of the organisation leading to, for example reduced productivity, sickness and recruitment/retention problems. This in turn could have an adverse impact on patient care.
It will often be safe to work alone and there are no absolute restrictions otherwise. However, the law requires employers to think about and deal with any health and safety risks before people are allowed to do so. The Health and Safety at Work Act (HSAWA) 1974: Section 2 sets out a duty of care on employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees whilst they are at work. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSWR) 1999: Regulation 3 states that every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work.
The aim of this policy is to
- help staff identify and address actual or potential risks that could arise because they are working alone,
- ensure an approach to minimising and reducing risks through the introduction and management of control measures is embedded into everyday working practice,
- ensure staff feel safe, supported and confident when working alone,
- ensure staff have the appropriate knowledge and skills to deal with any risk situation in which they may find themselves.
BrisDoc has a risk assessment system, as part of its Risk Management Policy, to be used to identify personal safety concerns, and to develop safe systems to promote and /or ensure personal safety wherever possible. BrisDoc is committed to providing training to assist in managing violence and aggression and resolving conflict in an effective manner. Ensuring staff safety and well-being supports BrisDoc achieve its core values as set out in its 4way business model.