1. Purpose
This policy sets out Murzo Group's approach to lone working and first aid arrangements.
The purpose is to reduce risk to workers, contractors, visitors, and others who may work alone, travel alone, attend sites alone, or need first aid assistance during Murzo Group activities.
2. Scope
This policy applies to Murzo Group offices, remote work, fieldwork, site visits, travel, storage areas, workshops, laboratories, farming or insect-related environments, events, client sites, supplier sites, and any activity where a person may work without immediate support.
It applies to employees, contractors, consultants, agency workers, visitors, and authorised third parties where Murzo Group has responsibility or influence.
3. Lone Working Principles
Lone working is not automatically unsafe, but it must be assessed and controlled according to the task, location, person, time, communication, and emergency response arrangements.
- Avoid lone working where the task is too hazardous to be done safely alone
- Confirm that the person is competent, informed, and medically fit where relevant
- Use check-in arrangements for higher-risk lone work
- Maintain a reliable way to request help
- Stop work where conditions change or the person feels unsafe
4. Risk Assessment
Lone working risk assessments should consider the work activity, location, travel, timing, foreseeable violence or aggression, manual handling, chemicals, machinery, animals, insects, biological material, confined areas, heights, electrical risk, weather, fatigue, and emergency access.
Higher-risk work may require a buddy system, supervisor approval, site induction, permit, specialist equipment, reduced duration, or prohibition of lone working.
5. Communication & Check-In
Where lone working presents more than minimal risk, Murzo Group may require check-in arrangements, emergency contacts, location sharing, call schedules, site arrival and departure confirmation, or escalation if contact is missed.
Workers must not rely on a communication method that is known to be unavailable or unreliable for the task or location.
6. First Aid Needs Assessment
Murzo Group will consider first aid needs based on the nature of work, hazards, number of people, travel, remoteness, work pattern, previous incidents, and access to emergency services.
First aid arrangements may include first aid kits, appointed persons, trained first aiders, emergency information, vehicle kits, travel kits, eyewash, burn kits, or specialist supplies where risk requires.
7. Emergency Response
Workers and contractors should know how to raise an emergency, where first aid equipment is located, who to contact, and what information to provide.
Serious injury, illness, violence, missing-person concern, chemical exposure, animal or insect-related incident, fire, security incident, or major near miss must be escalated promptly.
8. Training & Competence
People undertaking lone work or first aid responsibilities should receive suitable information, instruction, training, or briefing for the activity.
Training needs may include site safety, emergency procedures, use of equipment, manual handling, violence avoidance, travel safety, first aid, chemical safety, biosecurity, and incident reporting.
9. Incident Reporting & Review
Lone working incidents, missed check-ins, injuries, illness, first aid events, near misses, welfare concerns, and unsafe conditions should be reported and reviewed.
Murzo Group may amend work methods, supervision, equipment, travel arrangements, check-in procedures, or first aid provision following an incident or review.
10. Records & Responsibilities
Murzo Group will keep proportionate records of risk assessments, first aid needs assessments, training, incidents, equipment checks, and corrective actions.
Managers, project owners, site leads, and authorised representatives are responsible for assessing lone working and first aid needs. Individuals must follow agreed arrangements and report concerns promptly.
