Staying Safe While Lone Working: Practical Dos and Don’ts
Every day across the UK, millions of employees go to work in roles without close supervision. In fact, it’s estimated that 22% of the UK workforce, around 8 million people, are classed as lone workers. That includes housing officers, delivery drivers, community nurses, retail staff, engineers and many more.
While not inherently dangerous, lone working can act as a risk multiplier, increasing the severity of any consequences. A hazard that could be minor in a workplace with colleagues nearby, like a trip, an aggressive customer, or a machinery fault, can quickly escalate when help is not immediately available.
This lack of support makes lone workers more vulnerable and means that both employees and employers should take extra steps to reduce the risks they face. Understanding the challenges of lone working is key to creating effective safety strategies.
Here’s a helpful guide on some of the key dos and don’ts of lone working.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- Why lone working can increase the impact of everyday workplace risks
- How to communicate your location and expected return time
- Why dynamic risk assessments are important
- When to use a lone worker app or personal safety device
- Which unsafe behaviours and unnecessary risks to avoid
- How employers can support a stronger lone worker safety culture
Dos of Lone Working
- Let people know your whereabouts – Always make sure someone knows where you are and how long you expect to be there. The most efficient way of doing this is by checking-in using a personal safety service, saving time for both workers and managers. Manual methods, including shared calendars and sending messages (e.g. WhatsApp or SMS) to a ‘buddy’, are better than having nothing in place, but may be less reliable and slower in an emergency.
- Complete a dynamic risk assessment – Before and during each task or visit, constantly assess the risks around you. Stay aware of changing conditions, the people present, and the tasks being performed, and adjust your actions according to the changing circumstances.
- Follow relevant safety guidelines – Stick to established safe working practices, including the use of PPE, control measures, and procedures specific to your role, and always adhere to your organisation’s Lone Working Policy when working alone.
- Carry a personal safety alarm – Technology such as a personal safety app or device gives lone working employees a direct line to help in an emergency, even when support isn’t physically nearby. To ensure support is always accessible when you need it, regularly check that your equipment is working and make sure your mobile phone and lone worker device are charged.
Don’ts of Lone Working
- Don’t be complacent and assume you’re safe – Just because you’ve visited the same site or met the same client many times before doesn’t mean nothing can go wrong. Always stay aware and follow key safety protocols.
- Don’t attempt anything that cannot be done safely – If a job requires more than one person, such as heavy lifting, working at height, or visiting an aggressive service user, don’t attempt it alone. It’s always better to come back to a task with support than to risk injury or escalate a dangerous situation.
- Don’t take unnecessary risks – Cutting corners or rushing increases the chance of an incident. Always weigh up the risks before proceeding and take a cautious approach.
- Don’t be afraid to trust your instincts – If a situation feels unsafe, trust your gut and remove yourself as soon as possible. Your safety is always more important than completing the task.
- Don’t ignore near misses – Treat them as warnings and report them; they’re often precursors to bigger incidents.
Building a Culture of Safety
Lone working will always carry some level of risk, but by following these best practice tips, you can reduce the chance of harm and keep your workers safer. Employers must also support staff by providing clear policies, training, and access to reliable safety technology.
At Peoplesafe, our solutions are designed to ensure that lone workers are never truly alone. With the ability to raise an alarm to our dedicated Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) at the push of a button, employees can access emergency help whenever they need it, helping organisations meet their duty of care and giving employees the peace of mind they need to work with confidence.
Lone Working Safety FAQs
What is lone working?
Lone working is work carried out without close or direct supervision. It can include employees working alone at a fixed location, travelling between sites, visiting customers, working remotely or operating in an area where colleagues cannot provide immediate assistance.
Is it legal to work alone in the UK?
Working alone is not generally prohibited, but employers must identify and manage the health and safety risks before allowing employees to work alone. Some higher-risk activities may require additional supervision or another person to be present.
What should a lone worker do before starting a task?
Before beginning work, a lone worker should check the environment for hazards, confirm that the task can be completed safely alone and make sure someone knows where they are and when they are expected to finish. Any phone, alarm or safety device should also be charged, tested and easy to access.
How often should lone workers check in?
There is no single check-in frequency suitable for every role. Contact intervals should be based on the level of risk, the employee’s location and the nature of the work. Higher-risk tasks generally require more frequent monitoring and supervision.
What should a lone worker do if there is no mobile signal?
The employer should plan an alternative way for the worker to communicate or raise an alarm, such as a radio, satellite-enabled device or an agreed check-in procedure from a safe location. Emergency arrangements should be tested and should not rely on a communication method that is unavailable in the working area.
When should a task not be completed alone?
A task should not be carried out alone when the risks cannot be adequately controlled, when specialist assistance may be needed or when the risk assessment identifies that more than one person is required. Employers should set clear limits on which activities employees may complete alone.
What should a lone worker do if a situation feels unsafe?
The worker should stop the task, move to a safer location and contact their employer or raise an alarm where necessary. Unsafe behaviour, threats, incidents and near misses should also be reported so that risks can be reviewed and further incidents prevented.
Does every lone worker need a safety app or personal alarm?
Not every role requires the same technology. The appropriate solution should be based on the risk assessment, working environment and employee’s ability to contact help. Apps and personal alarms can support check-ins and emergency responses, but they should form part of a wider system that includes training, procedures and supervision.
How can employers help lone workers stay safe?
Employers should provide suitable risk assessments, training, supervision, monitoring and emergency procedures. They should also keep in contact with lone workers, respond to incidents and regularly test any communication or alarm systems being used.
