Change of programme at Lone Worker Conference

Nicole Vazquez, who is the host for the event for the second year running, explains, “Originally we wanted to provide people with a choice of workshops, so that they could concentrate on the topics most relevant to them. However, we were receiving calls from delegates concerned that they couldn’t attend all the workshops as several were running at the same time”. 

“It seems that all of the topics are relevant and of interest, and the last thing we want to do is to disappoint our delegates, so we have altered the programme and timetable for the day so that everyone can attend every workshop”.

The event returns to the Kings Fund in Central London, on the 15 October and focuses on the safety, security and wellbeing issues for lone workers. It is the only event in the UK that brings these three elements together and looks specifically at how lone and remote working can impact on the level of risk in these areas. 

Tickets are still available at www.loneworkersafetyexpo.com and there is a generous discount and CPD points for subscribers to HSM magazine.

The day will be opened by Barbara Hockey, Head of the Vulnerable Workers Team at the HSEand she will be joined by speakers discussing issues such as practical risk mitigation, current security risks and mental health implications of lone working.

Duncan Spencer, Head of Advice and Practice for IOSH will be sharing insights from IOSH’s research and joining the expert panel for a discussion on how to engage lone workers and senior management in the risk control conversation. 

The workshops where there was the overlap in the timetable that has caused the concern and subsequent upheaval include:

• a case study from Sean Elson, Pinsent Masons LLP, looking at the implications of organisations not fulfilling their legal responsibilities 

• a very practical session from CMA Training on reducing personal safety risks when travelling. 

• a drama-based experience with the team from Worthwhile Training looking at innovative ways to train staff with skills to defuse aggression and protect themselves. 

• an inspirational presentation from Jason Anker MBE and Prof Tim Marsh looking at how the decisions workers take can affect their safety, and exploring the impact on mental health and wellbeing, 

Nicole adds, “We are pleased that people have let us know what they want, so that we had the opportunity to fix this before the event and thrilled that all our speakers are so popular. It has taken a little bit of lateral thinking to make this work, but now that it is done, the programme actually makes much more sense and will add even greater value to those attending”.