Lone working is common across many high-risk industries in the UK. Construction, utilities, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing and security often rely on workers carrying out tasks without direct supervision. While lone working is not illegal, it increases risk when something goes wrong. Employers must take steps to protect lone workers and workers must understand how to manage hazards on their own.
This article sets out practical safety guidance for lone workers in high-risk environments, starting with the risks and the planning needed before lone work begins.
What Lone Working Means in High-Risk Industries
A lone worker is someone who works by themselves without close or direct supervision. This can include working on remote sites, working outside normal hours, visiting clients alone, or being the only person on duty.
In high-risk industries, lone working often involves hazardous equipment, dangerous substances, live environments, or unpredictable situations. When an incident happens, there may be no one nearby to raise the alarm or provide first aid. This makes prevention, planning and communication critical.
Key Risks Faced by Lone Workers
Lone workers face the same hazards as other workers, but the consequences are often more severe because help is not immediately available.
Accidents and sudden injury
Slips, trips, falls, cuts, crush injuries, and equipment failures can all occur during normal work tasks. When working alone, even a minor injury can become serious if the worker cannot move or call for help.
Medical emergencies
Lone workers may suffer sudden medical events such as heart attacks, seizures, asthma attacks, or diabetic episodes. Without early assistance, outcomes can worsen quickly.
Violence and aggression
Some lone workers deal directly with the public. This includes healthcare staff, enforcement officers, delivery drivers, and maintenance workers. Aggression, threats, and physical assault are higher risks when workers are alone.
Delayed emergency response
Remote locations, poor phone signal, or lack of regular contact can delay emergency response. The longer it takes for someone to notice a problem, the greater the risk of serious harm.
Planning and Risk Assessment Before Lone Working
Effective lone working safety starts before the task begins. Employers must assess risks and put suitable controls in place.
Identify tasks suitable for lone working
Not all tasks can be carried out safely alone. High-risk activities such as confined space work, live electrical tasks, or working at height may require supervision or a buddy system.
Assess environmental and location risks
The work location should be assessed for access issues, weather exposure, poor lighting, isolation, and emergency access. Remote and unfamiliar sites often increase risk.
Consider worker capability and experience
Training, experience, health conditions, and familiarity with the task all affect lone working safety. Lone work should only be assigned to workers who are competent and confident to manage the risks.
Define control measures and emergency actions
Clear procedures should be set for communication, check-ins, emergency contacts, and escalation if contact is lost. Online risk assessment training helps managers and supervisors spot lone working hazards, set controls, and record decisions to support compliance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
The next part of the article will cover practical safety tips for lone workers, the role of technology, training requirements, and employer responsibilities.
Practical Safety Tips for Lone Workers
Lone workers need clear routines that reduce risk and make it easier to get help fast when something goes wrong.
Start every shift with a safety check
The worker should check the job plan, hazards, controls, and site conditions before starting. If conditions have changed, the task should stop until the risks are reviewed.
Keep regular contact and stick to check-ins
A check-in routine should be agreed before work starts. This can include set times for contact, a supervisor call-back, and a clear action if contact is missed.
Carry the right safety kit
The kit should match the task. This may include first aid items, a torch, PPE, spill kit, gas monitor, or a working phone with backup power. Workers should check battery levels and signal before going into remote areas.
Follow safe systems of work, not shortcuts
Working alone can push people to rush jobs. Lone workers should follow the method statement, permit rules, lock off steps, and safe use checks every time.
Know when to stop and get support
Workers should stop work if the risk changes, the job becomes unclear, or the controls cannot be used. This applies to weather change, poor access, faulty kit, and signs of aggression.
Training and Competence for Lone Workers
Training helps lone workers make safe choices when there is no one nearby to guide them.
Build hazard awareness and safe decision making
Workers need to recognise hazards early, understand control measures, and know how to respond if conditions change.
Train for conflict and personal safety where needed
Workers who deal with the public may need training on de-escalation, safe exits, and reporting threats. This should reflect the settings they work in, such as home visits, retail sites, or public spaces.
Practice emergency response
Workers should know how to call for help, share their location, and use lone worker devices. Drills should cover missed check-ins, injury response, and escalation steps.
Refresh training and risk awareness
Refresher training should be planned based on risk. A lone worker course provides workers with awareness of the risks associated with lone working and the measures to control them.
Employer Duties and Ongoing Monitoring
Employers must manage lone working risks as part of normal health and safety duties. Controls should be realistic and reviewed often.
Provide suitable supervision and support
Lone workers still need supervision. This can be through planned site visits, remote supervision, regular contact, and clear reporting routes.
Set clear procedures and make them easy to use
Workers should have written guidance that covers check-ins, escalation, emergency contacts, and when to stop work. Processes should work on a busy shift and not rely on memory.
Review incidents, near misses and missed check-ins
Missed check-ins, device faults, and near misses should be treated as warning signs. Reviews should lead to changes in controls, training, or staffing levels.
Manage fatigue and working hours
Lone working often happens at night or outside standard hours. Fatigue increases error and slows response. Employers should manage shifts, breaks, workload, and travel time.
When Working Alone, Planning Is Protection
Lone working can be safe in high-risk industries, but it needs planning, strong routines, and clear support. The main risks are not always complex. They often come from small failures such as poor communication, rushed tasks, missing checks, or weak escalation steps.
A strong lone working setup starts with a clear risk assessment and suitable controls. It continues with training, tested technology, regular supervision, and a culture where workers report problems and stop work when needed.
