Lone Working FAQs

Lone workers are those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision. Examples include care workers, delivery drivers, security staff, service and maintenance engineers, cleaners and home workers. There are greater risks to lone workers without direct supervision, so these need to be considered by undertaking a suitable risk assessment, safe systems of work and training.

Lone working is legal in the UK and generally it is allowed as long as a suitable and sufficient risk assessment has been conducted, controls implemented and compliance regularly reviewed.

Hazards and risks lone workers may have to contend with include:

• Working location and travel.
• Confined spaces.
• Electrical working.
• Working at height.
• Manual handling.
• Dealing with members of the public.
• Working with valuable items such as laptops, phones and money.
• Lack of first aid arrangements.

Employers need to provide safe systems of work (SSoW) based on a suitable and sufficient risk assessment.

Factors lone workers need to consider include:

• Undertaking dynamic risk assessments to make sure the SSoW is still valid.
• Reliable means of communication including having a charged mobile device, charger and power bank.
• Planning and researching their journey and weather forecast.
• First aid equipment.
• Personal Protective Equipment.

There is a general legal requirement to have lone working arrangements, safe systems of work and procedures.

A lone worker policy and procedures should cover your organisation’s arrangement for protecting workers from harm.

Key areas to cover include:

• Reasons for the policy.
• When risk assessments need to be carried out and by whom.
• Lone worker training.
• Level of supervision, support and communication.
• Equipment required as part of the risk assessment.
• Importance of incident, accident and near miss reporting and the organisations procedures.

Home working is regulated by these laws:

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Employers must ensure employees’ health, safety, and wellbeing, even when working from home.
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Employers must conduct risk assessments for home workers.
• Employment Rights Act 1996.  Covers terms of employment, including flexible working arrangements.
• Working Time Regulations 1998. Regulates working hours, breaks, and rest periods for home workers.
• Data Protection Act 2018 (GDPR). Ensures secure handling of personal and work-related data.

By law, if you work from home your employer must:

• Conduct a risk assessment to ensure your workspace is safe (Health and Safety laws).
• Provide suitable equipment for safe and effective working.
• Ensure compliance with working hours and rest breaks (Working Time Regulations 1998).
• Protect sensitive work-related data (Data Protection Act 2018).
• Clearly state homeworking terms in your employment contract (Employment Rights Act 1996).

Lone working is when someone works alone without direct supervision or close contact with colleagues. This can include working from home, in remote locations, outside normal business hours, or on tasks that require solitude.

Examples are delivery drivers, security personnel, maintenance workers, and those conducting site visits.

In lone working, PLAN is an acronym used to help ensure safety and preparedness. It typically stands for:

• P – Prepare: Assess risks, ensure the lone worker has the right tools, equipment, and training.
• L – Location: Know where the lone worker will be, and ensure a system is in place to track their location.
• A – Access: Ensure the lone worker has access to support, communication devices, or emergency contacts.
• N – Notify: Make sure someone is informed of the lone worker’s schedule, location, and expected check-in times.

This approach helps organisations mitigate risks and keep lone workers safe.

A lone working policy details procedures to protect employees working alone, ensuring their health, safety, and wellbeing. It includes definitions of lone working, risk assessments, communication procedures, training requirements, and the responsibilities of employers and employees.

The policy helps manage risks, meet legal obligations, and ensure lone workers’ safety through clear protocols.

Yes, you can lone work when pregnant, but your employer must conduct a risk assessment to ensure it is safe.

Under health and safety laws, employers are required to consider risks specific to pregnancy, such as fatigue, medical emergencies, or physical strain.

If lone working is deemed unsafe, adjustments must be made, such as providing additional support, changing duties, or offering alternative working arrangements.

Employees can control lone working risks by following company safety procedures, including risk assessments.

Maintaining regular communication, such as check-ins or using lone worker alarms, ensures support in emergencies. Planning ahead by assessing risks, knowing emergency contacts, and locating safety equipment is essential. Using proper tools, first aid kits, and PPE further reduces risks.

Staying aware of surroundings, recognising hazards, and taking breaks helps maintain safety and prevent accidents.

Employers must control lone working risks by conducting thorough risk assessments to identify hazards and implement measures to protect lone workers. This includes ensuring safe working environments, providing appropriate training, and equipping workers with necessary tools and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Employers must establish communication systems, such as regular check-ins, alarms, or monitoring devices, to ensure lone workers can request help in emergencies. They should also set clear procedures for managing incidents and offer supervision where necessary.

Regularly reviewing and updating these measures ensures ongoing safety and compliance with health and safety regulations.

The risks of lone working include:

1. Accidents and injuries. Without immediate assistance, incidents like slips, trips, falls, or equipment-related injuries can become more serious.
2. Medical emergencies. Lone workers may face delays in receiving help during sudden health issues, such as fainting, heart attacks, or other conditions.
3. Violence or aggression. Lone workers, especially those interacting with the public, are at higher risk of verbal or physical abuse.
4. Stress and mental health issues. Isolation and lack of support can lead to increased stress, anxiety, or feelings of vulnerability.
5. Environmental hazards. Exposure to risks such as extreme temperatures, hazardous substances, or unsafe work conditions can be heightened when alone.

Employers must identify and manage these risks to ensure lone workers remain safe and supported.

In lone working, PET stands for:

• P – People. Consider who the lone worker is interacting with and whether they pose any risks (e.g., the public, clients, or other individuals).
• E – Environment. Assess the work environment for hazards such as poor lighting, unsafe conditions, or extreme temperatures.
• T – Task. Evaluate the specific task being performed, including its complexity, risks involved, and whether it can safely be done alone.

The PET framework helps employers and employees identify and manage risks associated with lone working.

In health and social care, lone working occurs when employees, such as carers or social workers, work without direct supervision, often during home visits, night shifts, or in isolated settings.

Risks include violence, medical emergencies, and stress.

Employers must conduct risk assessments, provide training, and implement safety measures like check-ins and lone worker alarms to ensure staff safety and wellbeing.

A lone working risk assessment should include:

1. Identifying hazards. Assess risks such as accidents, violence, medical emergencies, environmental dangers, or equipment failure.
2. The work environment. Evaluate lighting, access to emergency exits, communication systems, and overall safety of the location.
3. The task. Analyse the complexity, duration, and risks involved in the work being performed alone.
4. The worker. Consider the individual’s experience, health conditions, and any additional training or support needed.
5. Control measures. Implement safeguards like regular check-ins, lone worker alarms, emergency procedures, and providing appropriate equipment.
6. Review and monitoring. Regularly review the assessment and update it as tasks, environments, or risks change.

Yes, working from home can be considered lone working if the employee is working without direct supervision or close contact with colleagues.

While the home environment may appear safer, risks such as accidents, medical emergencies, or mental health concerns like isolation and stress still apply.

In the UK, a 16-year-old can lone work only in low-risk roles with strict conditions.

Employers must conduct thorough risk assessments, ensure proper training, and provide supervision and reliable communication systems.

Lone working is prohibited for high-risk tasks involving hazardous machinery, substances, or heavy lifting.

Working hours must comply with youth employment laws to ensure safety and wellbeing.

Yes, a disabled person can be a lone worker, but employers must ensure it is safe and appropriate by conducting a thorough risk assessment.

Under the Equality Act 2010, employers must make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the worker’s needs, such as providing assistive equipment, enhanced communication systems, or additional support.

The worker’s specific disability, the nature of the work, and the risks involved must be carefully considered to ensure their health, safety, and wellbeing while working alone.

Yes, you can work from height alone, but it is generally discouraged due to safety risks. Lone working at height must be carefully planned to ensure safety.

Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, employers must conduct a risk assessment and implement controls, such as proper training, safety equipment, regular communication, and clear emergency procedures.

No, lone working at night is not illegal, but it is subject to strict health and safety regulations.

Employers must conduct a risk assessment to identify and mitigate risks associated with working alone at night, such as fatigue, accidents, or security concerns. They must also ensure adequate support, such as communication systems, regular check-ins, and emergency procedures.

Employers must comply with the Working Time Regulations 1998 to manage working hours and rest breaks, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of lone night workers.

Yes, you can work alone in a pub, but employers must ensure it is safe under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

A risk assessment must address risks like violence, accidents, or emergencies, with measures such as CCTV, panic alarms, and regular communication.

Lone workers must also be properly trained and supported to manage potential risks.

Yes, you can work in a warehouse on your own, but it must be safe and comply with health and safety laws.

Employers must conduct a risk assessment to identify hazards such as accidents, manual handling injuries, or medical emergencies. Control measures like emergency procedures, regular communication, and access to safety equipment must be in place.

Lone workers must also receive proper training to handle risks and operate machinery safely.

If a lone worker is monitored, it means their safety and wellbeing are actively tracked while they work alone.

Monitoring can involve regular check-ins via phone or messaging, the use of lone worker devices (e.g., alarms, GPS trackers), or automated systems that alert supervisors to inactivity or emergencies.

The purpose is to ensure the lone worker can communicate issues, receive prompt assistance if needed, and remain accounted for, reducing risks associated with working alone.

Yes, you can work alone in a petrol station, but employers must ensure safety through a risk assessment and control measures like CCTV, panic alarms, secure payment systems, and regular communication.

Training is essential to ensure lone workers have the skills to manage emergencies, such as fuel spills, fire risks, or aggressive customers, and that they understand safety procedures, alarm systems, and the secure management of cash.

Certain medical conditions may make someone unsuitable for lone working, including heart conditions, uncontrolled epilepsy, poorly managed diabetes, severe respiratory issues, neurological conditions like MS or Parkinson’s, and significant mental health issues affecting decision-making or stress management.

Employers must assess these risks and provide reasonable adjustments to ensure safety.

Yes, driving can be classed as lone working if the driver is alone without direct supervision or immediate support. This includes delivery drivers, long-distance lorry drivers, taxi drivers, or sales staff travelling for work.

Employers must conduct a risk assessment to address hazards such as fatigue, accidents, vehicle breakdowns, or medical emergencies, and implement control measures like regular check-ins, GPS tracking, and emergency procedures to ensure the driver’s safety.

An apprentice can be left alone in the workplace if it is safe and appropriate. Employers must conduct a risk assessment, considering the apprentice’s age, experience, and training. High-risk tasks or hazardous activities require supervision.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers must ensure apprentices are properly trained and supported to work safely.

No, it is not illegal to work on your own in a shop, but employers must ensure it is safe under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. A thorough risk assessment must be conducted to address risks such as violence, theft, accidents, or medical emergencies.

Employers must provide proper training to ensure lone workers can handle situations like dealing with aggressive customers, managing cash securely, responding to emergencies, and using safety equipment such as panic alarms or CCTV systems.

Control measures like regular communication, emergency procedures, and monitoring systems should be in place to protect the lone worker.

A lone worker does not legally have to be first aid trained in every situation, but employers must ensure adequate first aid provisions under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. For lone workers, this means conducting a risk assessment to determine if first aid training is necessary based on the nature of the work, location, and level of risk.

If the lone worker is in a high-risk environment (e.g., construction, remote sites, or working with machinery), first aid training is often essential.