Lone Worker in Schools: A Guide

What is a Lone Worker in Schools?

Lone workers in schools refer to staff members in educational institutions carrying out their duties without immediate help and presence nearby. This could include teachers, teaching assistants, office staff, cleaners, or any other school employees who may find themselves working alone, whether occasionally or on a regular basis. Lone working in general already presents its own challenges, but doing it in a school environment adds further risks, given the weight of the responsibility for pupil safety, the potential for medical incidents, and the need to manage emergencies without immediate support.

Types of Lone Workers in Schools

Lone working in schools encompasses a variety of roles that fall into different categories depending on the kind of work they do and the type of academic establishments they work at. These establishments can be:

• Early childhood centers such as daycares, preschools, and kindergarten

• Elementary or primary schools, where first stage of compulsory schooling happens

• Secondary schools, such as middle schools, high schools, and vocational schools

• Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), such as colleges, universities, and community colleges

Each type of educational institution has their own unique needs for lone workers. Some of the common types of lone workers in schools include:

• teachers working alone in the classroom;

• counselors and career advisers;

• caretakers, cleaners, or maintenance staff working after hours;

• librarians on early or late shifts;

• lab technicians handling chemicals or experiments alone;

• custodians in remote or isolated areas of the school;

• security guards monitoring school premises; and

• school bus drivers transporting students alone.

Common Risks

The main risks of working alone in schools often come from being isolated and not getting help quickly enough. According to the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the most common injuries in elementary and secondary schools were slips, trips and falls with 67,700 injuries per year. From this, about 53,100 cases happened on the same level, like slipping on a wet floor or tripping in a hallway, rather than falling from a height. 

The second leading cause of workplace injuries among school employees was violence or injuries inflicted by outside factors. More than half of these incidents were intentional harm caused by individuals like being struck, slapped or pushed. Additionally, of those intentional injuries, about 83% came from students themselves, which shows the significant role student behavior plays in contributing to workplace safety risks for school staff. 

All in all, these risks highlight the importance of addressing both environmental hazards and behavioral challenges in order to create a safer and more supportive work environment for lone workers in schools.

Importance of Lone Worker Safety in Schools

Lone worker safety in schools is important because these people dedicate themselves to looking after students, often while working on their own. The risks of accidents, illness, violence, or unsafe conditions can escalate quickly when staff are alone. Without immediate backup, every minor issue can turn into something serious, making clear communication and quick response time essential for both the staff and the students.

Key reasons why lone worker safety in schools in essential include the following:

• Student Safety: Staff and educators are essential in helping maintain a safe, violence-free, and stress-free environment in schools while managing duties alone, which can be hard in emergencies.

• Medical Emergencies: Regardless of the age of their students, staff and educators need to be prepared to respond quickly to student injuries or needs without immediate support or supervision.

• Crisis Response: In addition to managing medical emergencies, staff and educators also need to know how to manage fires, lockdowns, or other emergencies with reliable communication and protocols, even when alone.