Exam Pass Notes

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Memory spine: Spot risk, Check the task, Keep in touch, Keep space, Leave and get help, Report and review

• Spot risk: notice isolation, late work, poor exits, conflict, unfamiliar tasks and broken systems.
• Check the task: confirm whether this person, task, place and time are suitable for lone working.
• Keep in touch: use the agreed check-in, return, alarm, phone or radio arrangements.
• Keep space: protect visibility, exits and distance where possible.
• Leave and get help: personal safety comes before cash, stock, appointments or finishing the task.
• Report and review: report incidents, near misses and unsafe systems so they can be addressed.

Core exam points

• A lone worker operates without close or direct supervision or realistic immediate help.
• Lone working may occur for short periods as well as for whole shifts.
• There is no blanket ban on lone working, but risks must be assessed and controlled.
• New starters, locums, trainees and anyone performing unfamiliar tasks may need closer supervision.
• Opening, closing, handling cash or stock, rear doors, car parks and deliveries can increase risk.
• Do not confront theft, intruders, aggression or suspicious situations alone.
• Use alarms and agreed help routes early; do not wait until the situation becomes unmanageable.
• Off-site tasks need clear route, contact, return and withdrawal arrangements.
• Missed check-ins, broken alarms and repeated near misses must be reported.
• Aftercare matters following threats, intimidation, incidents and frightening near misses.

Practical reminders

Before working alone, check the task, place, time, help route and stop point. Keep exits clear and ensure phones or alarms are available. If the situation changes, pause, withdraw or escalate early. Record what happened and what needs to change so the next person is safer.