Lone Working Policy

Lone working includes any work activity undertaken in isolation.

Staff and volunteers undertaking activities on behalf of the church should do so in accordance with the parish Health and Safety and Safeguarding Policies and be aware of fire safety procedures within the Church and Community Centre.

It is recognised that lone working is an everyday and essential practice for clergy and church workers, and it is therefore important that the additional risks that arise from this are fully understood.

Staff and volunteers should conduct their own risk assessment when they are working alone.

If anything happens that makes you feel uncomfortable in any way in the buildings or on a home visit, please inform the Vicar and/or the Parish Safeguarding Officer.

Have a mobile phone with you and have saved contact numbers for the Vicar, a Churchwarden and/or a relative or friend.  It is encouraged to have the relative/friend set up as an emergency contact which can be accessed when the phone is locked.

Inform someone that you are going to be lone working and at what time you expect to finish, and inform them when you have finished.

If working in the Community Centre ensure all doors are locked. In the Church, the general advice is the same, except for the clergy whose role it is to keep an open and welcoming church.

Lone working at any height is explicitly forbidden.

Lone working in the tower should not take place above the level of the organ loft.

Any task requiring more than one person to undertake safely should not be attempted.  Never put yourself at risk.