Lone Surveyor Safety

Surveyors frequently work alone in remote locations, near highways, on rooftops, and adjacent to excavations.
Lone working risk assessments must identify the specific hazards for each survey location and task.
Communication is the primary control — surveyors must have reliable contact with their office or base.
Mobile phone signal cannot be guaranteed at all locations, so backup communication may be needed.
Personal safety devices that detect falls, impact, or non-movement can automatically raise an alarm.
Setting out near live traffic requires traffic management or at minimum high-visibility clothing and awareness.
Surveyors accessing roofs, confined spaces, or deep excavations alone face specific fall and entrapment risks.
Violence and confrontation from landowners or the public is a recognised risk for surveyors in the field.
Medical emergencies while working alone in isolated areas can become life-threatening without rapid response.
A check-in schedule must be agreed before the surveyor departs, with defined actions if a check-in is missed.

Delayed rescue	A lone surveyor who is injured or incapacitated may not be found for hours without a check-in system.
Diverse hazards	Surveyors encounter traffic, heights, water, confined spaces, and hostile encounters across varied locations.
Legal duty	MHSWR 1999 requires employers to assess lone working risks and implement controls specific to the task.

Do

Don't

Complete a lone working risk assessment for each survey location before departure
Carry a charged mobile phone and a backup communication device or lone worker app
Agree a check-in schedule with your office including times and escalation procedure
Share your planned locations, route, and expected return time with a colleague
Carry a personal first aid kit suitable for the terrain and task
Wear high-visibility clothing when surveying near traffic or on construction sites
Assess each location on arrival for hazards not identified in the desk-top assessment
Avoid confrontation — withdraw from any situation where you feel threatened
Carry appropriate PPE for the locations you will visit including hard hat and boots
Report any incidents, near misses, or safety concerns on return to the office

DON'T depart without telling someone your planned locations and return time
DON'T work alone at height, in confined spaces, or near deep water without cover
DON'T skip the check-in schedule — missed check-ins trigger the escalation procedure
DON'T rely solely on a mobile phone — signal is unavailable in many rural areas
DON'T enter unfamiliar or remote sites without a risk assessment for that location
DON'T confront hostile landowners or members of the public — leave and report
DON'T access live highways on foot for surveying without traffic management or escort
DON'T work alone at night in isolated locations without specific authorisation
DON'T assume your vehicle will start — keep breakdown assistance details to hand
DON'T continue working if you feel unwell — return to base and seek medical help

See also: Lone Working Awareness | Surveying Safety Awareness

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