Estate agents Hamptons International is developing an elearning course on lone working to complement their classroom training. The course explains personal safety issues and introduces the firm's policy and procedures for staff who need to work alone.

Information Transfer is writing the safe lone working course, which is just one element of elearning material covering health and safety topics, part of the library of compliance training that is provided online for all Hamptons staff.

Twenty years ago the murder of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh made the headlines - Suzy was an estate agent who failed to return from a viewing. Her diary showed she had gone to meet a Mr Kipper at a property for sale. She did not call back to her office and she missed a later appointment, which was unusual. Worried colleagues called the police. In spite of a massive search she was never heard of again.

Her parents subsequently set up the Suzy Lamplugh Trust to raise awareness of the risks of lone working. Their theme is 'Live Life Safe'.

Twenty years on the Trust can be credited with having created the discipline of personal safety. The law on safety at work now requires employers to have procedures for reducing the risks faced by staff who have to work alone. This includes the provision of appropriate training.

Knowing how to avoid violence and aggression is a useful life skill for adults and children, in our work, and at home. Some simple guidelines can help us all to live safer, more confident lives. Those who do not have the benefit of Hamptons' elearning course can find out more from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust website: www.suzylamplugh.org