Night shift

[football]

What is the European law about night shift workers shouldn't work alone. Does a security guard, once an hour count as not being alone?

[templeman]

I do not believe that there is any such legislation. Certainly, in the UK, there is no prohibition on working alone. However, there is some guidance and some requirements covered in the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health & Safety Regulations.

[sft42]

Indeed there is no legislation covering solo working practices be it at night or daytime.....I can think of too many groups such a legislation would disrupt....24hr petrol stations, milkmen & breadmen, on call tradesmen.

[darth vader]

I agree with football that there is some legislation (only recently brought out) - i do not know the exact details but a night shift worker has to be contacted at least once an hour if working alone by a suprevisor for example, and have the means to contact someone in an emergency (i.e. 2-way radio in the case of a security guard). I imagine your scenario illustrated, is an example of "not being alone"

[darth vader]

with regards to sft42's examples: 24hr garage attendants DO have the system i illustrated (i believe), milkman don't fall into this category as they are "out-and-about" and can summon assistance immediately, breadmen/bakery workers either are not working alone or are employers of a one-man operation - the legislation only applies to employer/employee situations, the onus being on the employer to provide adequate security and safety for his/her employees.

On call tradesmen?

[football]

Lorry drivers & petrol attendants have a means of contact by mobile phone or radio link. The legislation only applies to factories. The legislation only applies to employer/employee situations, the onus being on the employer to provide adequate security and safety for his/her employees.

[templeman]

I refer to my original answer (the 1st one above) can anyone state what this legislation is that you refer to? Other than that I mentioned about health & safety, I can't find any.

[darth vader]

here you go templeman (and football) - issued by the TSSA, but i assume they got their info. from a government agency. http://www.tssa.org.uk/advice/hs/hs08.txt