Västra Mälardalens Energi och Miljö (VME) identified the need to carry out an updated and consolidated risk assessment of lone working within both district heating production and distribution. Over time, operational conditions had evolved, increasing the need to ensure that risk assessments and working practices were up to date, fit for purpose and effectively embedded across the organisation.
The assignment aimed to establish a clear and evidence-based understanding of how lone working is undertaken across the operations, while laying the foundation for a more systematic and long-term approach to managing the issue.
A shared understanding of operational conditions
To ensure a decision-making basis that accurately reflects actual operating conditions, the work was carried out in close proximity to day-to-day operations and in dialogue with employees from both production and distribution. Based on a review of existing documentation, interviews and surveys, work tasks, risk scenarios and perceived levels of safety associated with lone working were mapped.
Sigholm compiled and analysed the information in a structured risk analysis, in which risks were assessed based on likelihood and potential consequence. The outcome provided VME with a consolidated and comparable overview of risk levels associated with different work tasks and operational situations.
From current state to future direction
To clarify development needs and identify viable ways forward, a GAP analysis was conducted in which the current state was compared with a desired future state. The analysis was carried out jointly with the client and resulted in a set of concrete, prioritised actions. The focus was on establishing a clearer definition of lone working, strengthening organisational and technical support, and creating the necessary conditions for further development of procedures, instructions and working practices.
By combining the risk analysis with the GAP analysis, a robust basis was created that both highlights existing risks and describes how these risks can be managed over time.
Occupational health and safety as part of the whole
The delivery provided VME with a consolidated, operations-focused decision-making basis for managing lone working as an integrated part of the organisation’s systematic occupational health and safety management. The assignment also contributed to a shared understanding across the organisation of how lone working can be addressed in a more structured, proactive and sustainable manner – in both production and distribution.
“The investigation provided us with a foundation that gives us clear direction for how we can continue to develop our approach to lone working within both production and distribution.”
– Robin Erneby, Production Manager, Västra Mälardalens Energi och Miljö
Sigholm’s contribution
Sigholm provided structure, analytical capability and facilitation within an occupational health and safety context characterised by the interaction of technology, organisation and people. Through an operations-oriented approach and a clear methodology, an evidence-based decision-making foundation was established, strengthening the client’s ability to work in a long-term and systematic manner with lone working.
