Lone Worker Safety Guide | GodsOwnApp.com

8M+

UK lone workers

25M

USA lone workers

£107K

Average SME H&S fine

2023 Act

Worker Protection aligned

Who they are

Who are lone workers and what roles do they perform?

Lone workers are individuals who carry out their duties independently, without immediate or direct supervision. They can be found across various industries and include those who:

Work on their own (solo) at a fixed location, such as in retail stores, petrol stations, factories, warehouses, or leisure facilities.
Operate separately from others within the same premises or during non-standard working hours, such as security personnel, cleaners and maintenance staff.
Work from home.
Perform tasks away from a fixed base, including healthcare, medical and social care professionals who visit patients' homes.
Construction, maintenance and repair workers, including engineers and plant installation technicians.
Engineers, assessors and delivery drivers who supply equipment and materials to construction sites.
Service workers, such as postal employees, taxi drivers, engineers, real estate agents and sales or service representatives who visit residential and commercial properties.
Delivery drivers, including those operating heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), vans, cars, or bikes for courier services.
Agricultural and forestry workers.
Volunteers who work independently for charities or voluntary organisations, engaging in activities like fundraising or litter-picking.

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Watch: lone worker safety briefing

Scale of the challenge

How many lone workers are there in the UK, USA, Canada and India?

UK: There are 8 million lone workers in the UK.

USA: There are 25 million lone workers in the USA, 15% of the overall workforce.

Canada: There are 2 million lone workers in Canada.

India: Approximately 120 million lone workers using smartphones.

Evolving work patterns

Work patterns are shifting due to automation and the increasing use of technology. The workforce is also transforming, with people working later in life. This requires employers to adopt new approaches to ensure the health and safety of their workers. The gig economy is expanding, characterised by short-term, informal work arrangements that are typically:

On-demand
Obtained through online platforms
Delivered on a task-by-task basis

These workers are often independent contractors, freelancers or self-employed. Many operate as lone workers, facing tight deadlines and specific road risks during work-related journeys. Similarly, lone HGV drivers often experience long, unsociable hours, high physical and mental demands, and extended periods of sedentary work. Employers should regularly monitor drivers' health and adapt their work to accommodate any individual health and safety needs.

These factors can lead to various health issues for workers, including musculoskeletal disorders, stress, fatigue, and problems related to poor or irregular eating habits.

UK law

Health and Safety law, UK.

As an employer, this document will help you understand what you should do to comply with your UK legal duties towards all lone workers under: the Health and Safety at Work etc Act; and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.

What are the fines if you break UK Health and Safety law?

According to data from Arinite, the average health and safety fine for an SME (small and medium enterprise) breaching the law is around £106,984, with smaller businesses potentially facing fines significantly higher than their annual Health And Safety compliance costs. SME health and safety fines are normally based on turnover, meaning larger businesses face larger fines. Consideration of culpability — the severity of the breach and the level of fault by the company — are also factored into the fine amount. Potential for significant costs — even for smaller businesses, a health and safety fine can be hugely higher than the cost of maintaining compliance.

Legality and safety of working alone

Working alone can be legal, but employers are responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of all workers, including contractors, volunteers, and the self-employed. These responsibilities cannot be transferred to others, even if they work alone.

Working alone is often safe, but the law requires employers to assess and address any health and safety risks before allowing it. Creating a safe environment for lone workers involves different considerations than for other workers. Key factors to consider include: a. Assessing risks such as violence, manual handling, the individual's medical suitability to work alone, and whether the workplace itself poses risks. b. Ensuring adequate training, experience levels, and effective monitoring and supervision. c. Implementing systems to stay in touch with lone workers and respond to any incidents.

Employees and some self-employed workers also have responsibilities to take reasonable care of themselves and others affected by their work activities, and to cooperate with their employers in meeting legal obligations.

Risk management

Managing the risks.

The law says that employers must assess and control the risks in their workplace. You must think about what might cause harm to people and decide whether you are doing enough to prevent that harm. If you employ five or more workers, you must write down what you’ve found.

Maintaining a risk record

Your risk record should include:

Hazards (things that may cause harm)
How these hazards may harm people
Current measures to control these risks

This record must be reviewed and updated regularly, especially if anything changes.

While there is no legal requirement for a separate risk assessment for lone workers, you must include risks to lone workers in your general risk assessment and take steps to avoid or control these risks.

This includes:

Involving workers in identifying potential risks and measures to control them
Removing risks where possible, or implementing control measures, such as selecting appropriate work equipment to ensure safe performance
Providing instruction, training, and supervision
Reviewing and updating risk assessments periodically, especially after significant changes like new staff, processes, or equipment
Consulting with other employers if the lone worker is at their workplace to identify risks and necessary control measures

Risk assessments should help determine the appropriate level of supervision for lone workers. Some high-risk activities may require at least one other person to be present, such as:

Working in confined spaces, where a supervisor and a dedicated rescue person may be needed
Working near exposed live electricity conductors
Engaging in diving operations, handling vehicles carrying explosives, or fumigation tasks

Practical assessment

People, place, and emergencies.

Considering normal work and emergencies

Account for both routine work and potential emergencies such as fire, equipment failure, illness, and accidents. Think about who will be involved, where the work will take place, and what factors might particularly affect lone workers.

Focusing on the lone worker and others

Consider the lone worker, the people they may interact with, and the nature of their work. Assess how these factors might impact risks:

How experienced is the worker in their role and in working alone?
Has the worker received the necessary training?
Are there any factors that might make the worker more vulnerable, such as being young, pregnant, disabled, or a trainee?

Environment and equipment

Evaluate the worker's environment and the equipment they use:

Does the workplace pose specific risks, such as operating equipment alone or handling objects too large for one person?
Is the work in a rural or isolated area?
Will the worker be entering someone else's home or premises?
Is there a safe entry and exit route for one person working outside normal hours?
Does the worker have reliable communication methods and a way to call for help?

Assessing incident triggers

Consider how the lone worker's activities might lead to an incident: Is the role security-related, involving authority over customers or enforcing rules? Does the work involve handling cash, requesting payments, or removing goods or property?

Stress, mental health, and well-being

Lone working can increase work-related stress and affect mental health. Factors like relationships with colleagues and managers are crucial. Poor management of these factors can lead to stress. Being away from managers and colleagues can make support more challenging.

Implement procedures for direct contact between lone workers and their managers. Understanding an employee's normal behavior and recognizing early signs of stress is essential. Poor contact can lead to feelings of disconnection, isolation, or abandonment, affecting performance and mental health.

Maintaining contact with lone workers

Agree on regular meetings or opportunities for lone workers to share concerns. Include lone workers in social events and team updates.

Including lone workers in consultations and training:

Ensure lone workers are included in any consultations on changes, as these may have unique implications for them.
Make sure lone workers are included in any required training.

Supporting mental health

Work can aggravate pre-existing conditions, and work-related issues can worsen symptoms. Whether work is causing or aggravating a health issue, you have a legal responsibility to support your employees.

Assess work-related mental health risks and take steps to remove or reduce them as far as reasonably practicable. If a lone worker has a pre-existing mental health condition, you may need to make reasonable adjustments to their work or workplace, which may require additional interventions, including those required by the Equality Act 2010: Equality and Human Rights Commission - Workplace Adjustments

For more advice on work-related mental health, visit: HSE - Mental Health

Violence and emergencies

Protect people when they are most exposed.

Addressing work-related violence

Any form of violence against workers is unacceptable and can affect both their psychological and physical health. While lone working does not automatically imply a higher risk of violence, it does make workers more vulnerable. The lack of nearby support from colleagues means lone workers may be less able to prevent incidents.

Key violence risks in the workplace

Some key violence risks in the workplace include:

Working in high-risk violence locations.
Late evening or early morning shifts with fewer workers around.
Roles with authority over customers or clients, such as security staff.
Clients or public members under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Carrying money or valuable equipment.

Training and safety measures

Personal safety training, including conflict resolution, can help workers recognize risky situations and take appropriate steps to avoid or manage risks. Other measures to consider include:

Modifying the work environment to avoid worker isolation.
Providing equipment like alarm devices that can be operated manually or automatically in emergencies, such as phones or radios.

Employers should support workers who experience abusive or violent incidents. Workers also play a crucial role in identifying and reporting incidents.

Impact of violence on businesses and workers

Violence against lone workers can affect businesses through staff turnover, low productivity, and damage to reputation. For the worker, it can lead to work-related stress, with serious and long-term effects on their psychological, physical, and mental health.

For more advice and case studies on preventing violence towards lone workers, visit: HSE - Work-related Violence

Supporting non-native English speakers

If a lone worker's first language is not English, ensure clear communication arrangements, especially for emergencies. Workers from outside the UK may face unfamiliar risks and different workplace cultures. Ensure they receive and understand the necessary information, instructions, and training to work safely.

For more information, visit: HSE - Migrant Workers

Working alone with a medical condition

Seek medical advice if necessary. Consider both routine work and potential emergencies that may add physical or mental strain.

Handling illness, accidents, or emergencies

Your risk assessment should identify potential events. Establish and practice emergency procedures regularly to ensure quick and effective action. Some lone workers may need to carry first aid equipment and receive first aid training, including self-administration. Ensure access to adequate first aid facilities.

Regular and realistic practice should take place to allow quick and effective action to ease the situation and reduce the consequences.

Emergency procedures and contact guidance

Emergency procedures should include clear guidance on how and when lone workers can contact their employer.

For more information on first aid, visit: HSE - First Aid

Working from home

Employers have the same responsibility for the safety and health of employees working from home as for any other employees. This includes providing supervision, education, training, and implementing control measures to protect home workers. Employers must accept liability for accidents or injuries involving home workers.

Importance of training

Training is crucial, especially with limited supervision. It helps workers manage uncertain situations, cope with unexpected circumstances, and handle potential exposure to violence and aggression. Lone workers often cannot seek help from more experienced colleagues, so extra training may be necessary. They need to be experienced and fully understand the risks and precautions involved in their work and location. Training should be relevant to the work activity.

Set clear limits on what can and cannot be done while working alone. Ensure workers are:

Competent to handle job requirements.
Trained in using any technical solutions provided.
Able to recognize when to seek advice from elsewhere.

Supervision and contact

Keep people connected when they work alone.

Supervision

The level of supervision needed depends on the risks involved and the lone worker's ability to identify and handle health and safety issues. This decision should be based on a risk assessment — the higher the risk, the greater the supervision required. Lone workers may need accompaniment when they are:

New to a job.
Undergoing training.
Performing tasks with specific risks.
Dealing with new situations.

Monitoring and keeping in touch

Advances in technology offer a wide range of systems and devices to monitor lone workers. These systems should be well understood by workers and supported by clear procedures. Effective communication is essential and may include:

Supervisors periodically visiting and observing lone workers.
Regular contact intervals between the lone worker and employer using phones, radios, email, etc., considering the worker's understanding of English.
Devices designed to raise alarms in emergencies, operable manually or automatically.
A robust system to ensure lone workers return to their base or home after completing their work.

Testing technical solutions and emergency procedures

Regularly test technical solutions and emergency procedures to ensure lone workers can be reached or contacted in case of a problem or emergency.

Responsibilities of workers

Workers must take care of their own health and safety, as well as that of others affected by their actions. They should cooperate with employers and co-workers to meet legal requirements. If workers have specific health and safety concerns, they should discuss them with their employer, manager, supervisor or a health and safety representative.

Some employers use dynamic risk assessments for lone working situations, where workers make operational decisions based on unforeseen risks. This does not replace a comprehensive risk assessment. When a risk assessment identifies the need for a dynamic assessment, lone workers must:

Receive training on how to conduct the assessment.
Consider possible control measures and actions to take.
Get support for their decisions.

Self-employed workers

Health and safety law may not apply to self-employed workers, but they should check the regulations at HSE - Self-Employed. As an employer contracting them, you are still responsible for their health and safety.

For further information about lone worker safety and to find about protecting lone workers using our Android mobile app for SMEs, large enterprises, the NHS and Government organisations please WhatsApp us or call us on 07746 339 663.

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