working policy

[attendant]

what are the policies of working alone on a night shift

[undercovers]

well it depends were you work doesn't it - they are individual policies depending on the employer and it would be impossible for us to guess

[dot.hawkes]

you're not flying a jumbo Jet are you?!

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

The only official 'policies' relate to the same Health & Safety regulations that apply to other types of employment.

The employer must carry out a risk assessment for the job (taking into account that the employee will be working alone at night). For each activity to be carried out, this should state the risk of an accident (or, for example, of an assault by a customer) assessed on a scale of 1 (low) to 4 (high) together with the likely seriousness of any injury occurring because of such an accident (or assault). (This is also assessed on a scale of 1 to 4). The assessment must then state the control measures, put in place by the employer, to minimise the risk of such incidents occurring. The employer must make the risk assessment available to the employee.

For some occupations, the risk factors would be fairly low. e.g. someone sitting in a secure office throughout the night, handling emergency calls for a group of doctors, would probably not be assessed as being greatly at risk.

[Buenchico]

An employee working alone, overnight, at a filling station is obviously at risk of assault from someone intent upon stealing the cash. The risk assessment would have to take this into account and explain the measures taken to prevent such assaults. (e.g. a policy stating that the doors are to be kept locked during certain hours and only the 'night till' is to be used).

Some semi-rural railway stations only have one member of staff working late at night. Once again, a risk assessment has to be carried out and measures stated for minimising the risks identified. (These could include the installation of security cameras and the display of notices stating that these are in use. It could also include compulsory training for staff in 'aggression awareness').

If you're concerned about some form of risks present when you work alone at night, your first step should be to demand to see a copy of the risk assessment document relating to your job. Hopefully, by discussing the risks with your employer, you will be able to keep the risks to a minimum. If you don't get satisfaction, look up the number of the Health & Safety Executive in the phone book.

Chris