LON/Specific Roles/TBT-LON-010

Lone Working Policy and Procedures

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Lone Working Policy and Procedures

Toolbox Talk Record

Ref: TBT-LON-010  |  Issue: 1  |  Date: March 2026
PresenterProject
LocationDate

What?

  • Lone workers carry out tasks without close or direct supervision from colleagues.
  • The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and MHSWR 1999 apply equally to lone workers.
  • A lone working policy sets out the rules, procedures, and responsibilities for lone work.
  • Employers must risk assess whether the work can be safely carried out by a person alone.
  • Some tasks must never be done alone, including confined space entry and live electrical work.
  • Check-in procedures and monitoring systems are essential for lone worker safety.
  • Lone workers are more vulnerable to violence, medical emergencies, and accidents without help.
  • A buddy system or lone worker device provides a safety net if the worker is incapacitated.
  • Training must cover emergency procedures, communication systems, and self-risk assessment.
  • Failure to manage lone working has resulted in enforcement action by the HSE.

Why?

Legal dutyEmployers are legally required to assess and control risks to lone workers under the MHSWR 1999.
Emergency responseWithout colleagues nearby, an injured lone worker may not be found in time to receive life-saving treatment.
AccountabilityA clear policy ensures everyone understands the rules and responsibilities for lone working on site.
Do Don't
  • Follow the site lone working policy and complete a risk assessment
  • Carry a charged mobile phone or lone worker device at all times
  • Check in at agreed intervals with your supervisor or control room
  • Inform someone of your location, planned tasks, and expected return time
  • Ensure you have access to first aid supplies while working alone
  • Know the emergency procedure for your specific lone working location
  • Stop work and seek support if conditions change or new hazards arise
  • Keep your vehicle or means of transport accessible for emergencies
  • Report any incidents or near misses as soon as it is safe to do so
  • Complete lone working training before undertaking any solo site tasks
  • DON'T carry out high-risk tasks alone such as confined space entry
  • DON'T work alone without informing someone of your whereabouts
  • DON'T skip scheduled check-ins — they are your lifeline in an emergency
  • DON'T ignore the lone working risk assessment for your task and location
  • DON'T enter unfamiliar or remote areas without planning your exit route
  • DON'T assume your mobile phone will have signal at all locations
  • DON'T work alone at night unless the risk assessment specifically permits it
  • DON'T take unnecessary risks because no one is watching or supervising
  • DON'T leave your lone worker device behind or allow the battery to go flat
  • DON'T continue working alone if you feel unwell, fatigued, or unsafe

See also: Lone Working Awareness | Communication and Check-In Procedures
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