LON/General/TBT-LON-014

Lone Driver Safety

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Lone Driver Safety

Toolbox Talk Record

Ref: TBT-LON-014  |  Issue: 1  |  Date: March 2026
PresenterProject
LocationDate

What?

  • Lone drivers include delivery drivers, site supervisors, surveyors, and engineers travelling to remote project locations.
  • Driver fatigue is the primary risk for lone drivers making long or early-morning journeys to construction sites.
  • Breakdowns in remote areas leave lone drivers vulnerable to weather, traffic, and personal safety risks.
  • The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require lone driver risk assessments.
  • Lone drivers cannot get immediate assistance in a medical emergency without communication and check-in procedures.
  • Journey planning should account for distance, rest breaks, weather conditions, and alternative routes.
  • Hands-free mobile phones and lone worker devices allow drivers to maintain contact with base during journeys.
  • Vehicle pre-use checks reduce the risk of breakdowns that leave drivers stranded in remote locations.
  • Loading and unloading at unstaffed sites creates manual handling and security risks for lone drivers.
  • Night driving to early-start sites increases fatigue and reduces the ability to spot road hazards.

Why?

Prevent fatigue accidentsLone drivers making long journeys without rest breaks fall asleep at the wheel, causing fatal crashes.
Medical emergenciesA lone driver suffering a medical emergency has no one to provide immediate first aid or call for help.
Legal dutyThe Management Regulations 1999 require employers to assess and control risks to employees who drive alone.
Do Don't
  • Plan your journey in advance including rest stops every two hours on long drives
  • Carry a charged mobile phone and inform your base of your route and expected arrival time
  • Complete a vehicle pre-use check including tyres, lights, fuel, and fluid levels before departure
  • Take a 15-minute break if you feel drowsy — do not try to drive through tiredness
  • Carry basic emergency equipment including a torch, hi-vis vest, and first aid kit
  • Check weather forecasts before journeys to remote or elevated construction site locations
  • Use a lone worker device or check-in app for journeys to remote or unstaffed sites
  • Keep vehicle doors locked when stopped in isolated areas, especially at night
  • Report any vehicle defects, near misses, or safety concerns from the journey on arrival
  • Ensure your breakdown recovery membership is current before making lone journeys regularly
  • DON'T drive when you feel drowsy or have not had adequate sleep before the journey
  • DON'T make long journeys without planning rest stops at least every two hours
  • DON'T set off without informing someone of your route and expected arrival time
  • DON'T skip the vehicle pre-use check — breakdowns in remote areas are high risk
  • DON'T use a handheld mobile phone while driving — use hands-free or stop safely first
  • DON'T drive in severe weather without checking the forecast and considering alternatives
  • DON'T leave the vehicle without a hi-vis vest if you break down on a live road
  • DON'T load or unload heavy items alone at unstaffed sites without a manual handling plan
  • DON'T exceed driving hour limits or skip required rest breaks under pressure of programme
  • DON'T assume your employer knows where you are — always maintain check-in procedures

See also: Lone Working Awareness | Fatigue and Working Hours
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