Lone working
Establishing a healthy and safe working environment for lone workers can be different from organising the health and safety of other employees. They should not be put at more risk than other people working for you.
It will often be safe to work alone. However, the law requires employers to think about and deal with any health and safety risks before people are allowed to do so.
Things you could consider to help ensure lone workers are not put at risk include:
- assessing areas of risk including violence, manual handling, the medical suitability of the individual to work alone and whether the workplace itself presents a risk to them
- requirements for training, levels of experience and how best to monitor and supervise them
- making sure you know what is happening, including having systems in place to keep in touch with them
Find out more
The HSE has a working alone guidance leaflet (link opens in new window) available which provides guidance on how to keep lone workers healthy and safe. It is aimed at anyone who employs or engages lone workers, and also at self-employed people who work alone.
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust (link opens in new window) also provides advice on lone working.