An inspection of estate agents across the Bristol area to assess their policies on lone working has resulted in a clean bill of health.
David Thomas, the environmental health officer who undertook the project, carried out 18 inspections after sending out 130 letters to agents.
He said that a number of issues around staff safety had been discussed.
These included staff being supplied with mobile phones with trackers, and having office phone numbers on speed dial – essential, he said, for anyone who felt they were in trouble.
He said other protocols discussed included the use of code words for agents to use to raise the alarm without alerting the client, check-in systems at the end of viewings, and information sharing between local estate agents.
Also discussed were viewing protocols, with agents being encouraged to let clients into the property first, and avoiding being cornered in rooms.
He found that all agents – 14 local independents and eight branches of national chains – had control measures in place.
His report concluded that he was very pleased with the outcome of all the inspections.
He added that agents need to be aware that it is a legal requirement to carry out risk assessments, which should be written and discussed with staff.
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For all up-to-date information and guidance in reference to lone worker safety please come and visit the annual LONE WORKER SAFETY 2012 Conference & Exhibition http://www.loneworkersafetyexpo.com/
I once did an internal h&s audit, only to find out that of the three female negotiators in the office, one had left her rape alarm at home, another had taken the batteries out because it kept going off in her bag and the third had it in her bag with batteries - but had never bothered to take it out of the vacuum sealed plastic.
Well at least it keeps David Thomas in a job!
Once again, what a complete and utter waste of taxpayer's money.
A length of rope is cheaper - string up all violent offenders.