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QHSE Specialist

Dedicated to Quality, Health & Safety, and Environmental Guidance and Support

THERE IS NO UK LEGISLATION THAT SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITS LONE WORKING.

That said, there are broad requirements under the HSAW Act 1974 section 2 for employers to ensure the health and safety of employees whilst at work. Additionally Reg 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regs requires that an employer assesses the risks to employee's and others who maybe affected by their work. This responsibility cannot be transferred to people who work alone.

Lone working may be defined as any work activity which is intended to be carried out in isolation from other workers by an individual. The work activity should normally last for more than a short period of time. Lone working does not have to be a frequent requirement of the role and occasional occurrences still require appropriate controls.

Lone workers may be defined as those who work by themselves without direct or frequent supervision.

Types of lone working.

Lone working can take place when workers are either fixed or mobile.

Examples of lone workers in fixed locations may include employees who.

work in a shop or petrol station, small railway stations, information kiosks,
security gates.
work in warehouses or automated plants.
work at home.
work outside normal hours, e.g. cleaners, maintenance staff, security staff.
provide services to the public, e.g. social workers, home helps, community nurses.

Examples of mobile lone workers, may include employees who.

work away from their base, or at remote locations, e.g. construction workers, maintenance staff, repair and cleaning workers.
workers who travel as part of their work, e.g. sales staff or delivery workers.
forestry and agricultural workers.

It should be taken in to consideration that many of these lone workers will come into more than one of the categories listed above, as well as the many and varied other possibilities, where employees are faced with lone working situations as part of their duties.

Hazards of Lone Working.

Some typical hazards which lone workers may encounter are.

accidents, dangerous occurrences, or emergencies arising out of the work or work environment.
inadequate provision of first aid.
sudden illnesses.
inadequate provision of rest, hygiene and welfare facilities.
threatening verbal abuse and violence from members of the public.

From an employer, employee and a health and safety point of view, lone workers should not be at more risk than any other workers. So the question the employer needs to ask is, "can the risks of the job be adequately controlled by one person?" and if so, "what arrangements are required to ensure the lone worker is at no more risk than employees working together?".

Clearly the hazards of lone working and those activities undertaken whilst alone need to be the subject of a risk assessment, and where the risks are significantly higher, for example, confined spaces such as vats and tanks, the risk assessment should be robust.

The Risk Assessment and Control Measures

As stated above, the key to maximising safety wherever lone work is under consideration is the performance of a satisfactory risk assessment, which should examine all aspects such as the environment, individual and the activities. Once all relevant hazards associated with the lone working activities of employees have been identified, it is necessary to develop, implement, maintain and monitor appropriate control measures. Control measures may include training, supervision, instruction, communication equipment, protective equipment etc.

The following publications give more guidance on lone workers;

INDG69 Violence at Work

INDG73 Working alone

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