Reading List

Sources below support the course and offer further reading for optical support staff, registrants, managers and owners on lone-working controls, violence prevention, emergency arrangements, business duties and CCTV governance.

• HSE - Lone working: protect those working alone
  Main Great Britain overview for employers on managing risks to lone workers, including risk assessment, violence prevention, stress, training, supervision and keeping in touch.
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/lone-working/employer/

• HSE - Manage the risks of working alone
  Explains how to assess and manage risks to lone workers, stay in contact, respond to incidents and consider violence, stress, medical suitability and workplace hazards.
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/lone-working/employer/manage-the-risks-of-working-alone.htm

• HSE - Lone working and violence
  Guidance for customer-facing roles, highlighting how lone workers can be more vulnerable when no-one is nearby to prevent or interrupt an incident.
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/lone-working/employer/violence.htm

• HSE - Training, supervision and monitoring
  Covers training, supervision, check-ins, return systems, alarm devices and testing of emergency procedures.
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/lone-working/employer/training-supervision-monitoring.htm

• HSE - Stress and other health factors for lone workers
  Explains how lone working can affect stress, mental health and wellbeing, and highlights emergency, first-aid and contact arrangements.
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/lone-working/employer/stress-other-factors.htm

• HSE - Lone workers: your health and safety
  Worker-facing page explaining employer duties and the worker's role in cooperating, taking care and reporting safety concerns.
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/lone-working/worker/index.htm

• HSE - Protecting lone workers: How to manage the risks of working alone
  Official INDG73 leaflet covering training, supervision, monitoring, support, violence and wellbeing for lone workers.
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg73.htm

• HSE - Assessing violence and aggression risks
  Guidance on assessing work-related violence, including why lone workers, new starters and trainees may face extra risk.
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/violence/employer/assessing-the-risks.htm

• HSE - Workers who drive or ride for work
  Relevant where staff travel between branches, deliver items or complete authorised journeys in company or personal vehicles.
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/roadsafety/worker/

• HSE - First aid legislation
  Explains employer duties to assess first-aid needs and provide suitable equipment, facilities and personnel.
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/legislation.htm

• HSE - RIDDOR reportable incidents
  Manager-level reference for deciding whether serious injuries, dangerous occurrences or other work-related incidents must be reported.
  https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/reportable-incidents.htm

• HSENI - Lone working
  Northern Ireland guidance on lone-working risk assessment, training, monitoring and situations where lone working may not be appropriate.
  https://www.hseni.gov.uk/articles/lone-working

• GOC Standard 11 - Protect and safeguard patients, colleagues and others from harm
  Optical standard on raising concerns, acting to prevent harm and keeping adequate records when safety issues arise.
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-of-practice-for-optometrists-and-dispens/11-protect-and-safeguard-patients-colleagues-and-o.html

• GOC Standard 12 - Ensure a safe environment for your patients
  Standard on maintaining a safe environment, complying with health and safety law and taking action when premises or equipment are unsafe.
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-of-practice-for-optometrists-and-dispens/12-ensure-a-safe-environment-for-your-patients.html

• GOC Optical Business Standard 1.1 - Patients can expect to be safe in your care
  Business-standard context for patient and public safety, staff reporting routes and acting on concerns that affect safety.
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-for-optical-businesses/1-1-patients-can-expect-to-be-safe-in-your-care.html

• GOC Optical Business Standard 1.2 - Patient care is delivered in a suitable environment
  Business-standard context for suitable premises, equipment, training and emergency preparedness.
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-for-optical-businesses/1-2-patient-care-is-delivered-in-a-suitable-enviro.html

• GOC Optical Business Standard 3.2 - Staff are suitably trained, qualified and registered
  Relevant to lone-working induction, local task training, preparing new staff and meeting professional requirements.
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-for-optical-businesses/3-2-staff-are-suitably-trained-qualified-and-regis.html

• GOC Optical Business Standard 3.3 - Staff are adequately supervised and supported
  Guidance for deciding when staff need closer supervision, support or limits on lone-working tasks.
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-for-optical-businesses/3-3-staff-are-adequately-supervised-and-supported.html

• ICO - CCTV for your organisation: things you need to do
  Manager-level guidance where CCTV is used for security or staff safety, covering transparency, purpose and data protection responsibilities.
  https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/advice-for-small-organisations/cctv-and-dashcams/cctv-for-your-organisation-things-you-need-to-do/

• HSE video - Lone Workers
  Short video used in this course to introduce employer duties, risk controls, monitoring, emergency procedures and support for lone workers.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2MxIL0jopM