Working Alone: Basic Advice for Employers and Lone Working Staff 11 September 2016 Working alone is a daily occurrence for almost 6 million people in the UK. Being aware of the risks and full-prepared can make a real difference to personal safety. The Risks of Working Alone Statistics from the British Crime Survey have indicated that as many as 150 lone workers are attacked every day (both physical and verbal). These attacks take place across a number of industries and job roles where people can be found working alone. Some roles are more prone to risk. Take housing, for example. In a recent survey (June 2016), Inside Housing found that 69 percent of those who responded said they have been verbally assaulted while doing their job. Regardless of sector, anyone that is working alone is at risk. The main risks associated with lone working include: Sudden illness or accidentViolence, threats or abuseTheft or intrudersDriving related incidents Advice for Employers The best place to start is identifying what types of lone workers you employ. People who work alone typically fall into one (or more) of three categories: Public-facing lone workersMobile lone workersFixed-site lone workers You have a legal obligation to carefully consider the health and safety risks of these lone workers. Everything starts with a lone working risk assessment, but there are a number of things you can do to protect your lone workers: Implement a lone working policyLone worker trainingUse of personal safety alarms and monitoring software Further reading: Lone Working: Everything an Employer Needs to Know Advice for Lone Workers Your safety when working alone can be improved by following these tips: Make sure that a colleague or family member knows where you areBe cautious — if something doesn’t feel safe don’t proceedIf an incident does occur, share it with colleagues for future learningOnly take what you need to an appointment — don’t overburden yourself with unnecessary equipmentIf you have a lone worker device, make sure you use it! Further reading: Our 10 Lone Worker Personal Safety Tips
