Lone Working Awareness

Lone working means any situation where a person works by themselves without close or direct supervision.
Construction lone workers include surveyors, security guards, maintenance workers, and those on remote sites.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require a specific risk assessment for lone workers.
Lone workers face higher risk because there is no one nearby to help if they are injured or taken ill.
A check-in system with agreed contact times must be established before any lone working takes place.
Certain high-risk activities such as confined space entry and work at height must never be carried out alone.
Lone working devices with panic buttons, fall detection, and GPS tracking provide additional protection.
Lone workers must be competent, experienced, and able to identify hazards and manage risks independently.
The risk of violence and aggression is higher for lone workers, particularly during night shifts or in public areas.
An emergency response plan must be in place so help can reach a lone worker quickly if contact is lost.

Rapid rescue	If a lone worker is injured or taken ill, delayed discovery can turn a survivable incident into a fatality.
Legal duty	Employers must assess the risks of lone working and provide controls including communication and monitoring systems.
Personal safety	Lone workers are more vulnerable to violence, aggression, and unforeseen hazards without colleagues nearby.

Do

Don't

Complete a lone working risk assessment before starting any lone working activity.
Agree check-in times with your supervisor and stick to them without exception.
Carry a charged mobile phone or lone working device with you at all times.
Ensure someone knows your location, expected tasks, and return time.
Follow the emergency procedure and know how to summon help if needed.
Avoid high-risk tasks that should never be carried out by a lone worker.
Trust your instincts — leave any situation where you feel unsafe or threatened.
Ensure your vehicle has fuel, a first aid kit, and emergency contact details.
Keep access routes clear so emergency services can reach you quickly.
Report any incidents, near misses, or concerns about lone working to your manager.

DON'T carry out lone working without a completed risk assessment and agreed procedure.
DON'T miss a scheduled check-in — your supervisor will assume something is wrong.
DON'T work alone without a reliable means of communication on your person.
DON'T work in isolation without telling someone where you are and when you will return.
DON'T attempt confined space entry, work at height, or lifting operations alone.
DON'T take on tasks beyond your competence when working without supervision.
DON'T stay in a situation where you feel threatened — leave and report it immediately.
DON'T let your phone battery die — keep your communication device charged at all times.
DON'T park in locations that block emergency access to your work area.
DON'T assume nothing will go wrong — lone working incidents happen to experienced workers too.

See also: Lone Working Risk Assessment | Communication & Check-In Procedures

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