What is a lone worker?

According to the Health & Safety Executive, the meaning of lone worker is simply an employee who “performs tasks or works in isolation from other workers without close or direct supervision”.

With around 8 million lone workers in the UK and working alone named one of the top ten hazards of concern to employees, employers must place high importance on assessing and mitigating the risks they face.

With an increasing number of organisations offering flexible working practices, there are more at-risk employees than ever before.

At-risk employees can be simply defined as employees who work at a heightened risk. Individuals who carry around expensive equipment or bank employees who hold sensitive information would fall into this category. They may not work alone, but are still at risk of being attacked once they leave the workplace.

Examples of a lone worker by industry 

• Government administrations – Ellected councillors, social workers, housing officers, maintenance workers, gardeners
• Office and administration – Someone who workers late, receptionist
• Utilities – gas engineers, electricians, surveyors
• Retail and Wholesale – Warehouse operatives, cashiers, delivery drivers
• Transport and logisitics – Mechanics, HGV drivers

This is just an example, but the fact is, there are very few sectors in which you won’t find someone who works alone.

What are the hazards of lone working? 

Many risks that face other employees are amplified for someone working alone. For example, one person on their own is an easier target for aggression. And if someone has a fall and there’s no one around, they’re less likely to get the medical attention they need. 

• Slips trips and falls
• Working from a height
• Violence and agression from members of the public
• Driving related risks
• Working with machinery and moving parts
• Isolation and anxiety

What can you do to protect your lone workers?

Schedule regular training and supervision sessions so that your lone workers are confident in what they need to do to ensure their safety when working alone.

This might mean not carrying out certain activities, such as working outdoors in high winds, or drawing on specific training to manage voilent situations.

If your lone worker’s first language is not English, consider that they workplace culture in their country might be different, and ensure they fully understand how to work safely in your organisation.

Use technology. A lone worker solution is a communication sysem designed with specific features to keep a lone worker out of harms way. It’s typically made up of three components: 

• The mechanism – the device or application used to summon assistance, such as a lone worker app, pebble device alarm, or portable panic button.
• The online portal – where all activity can be viewed and tracked
• The control room or Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) – from where assistance is deployed. ARC’s which are BS8484 accredited are able to summon a level 1 priority Police response if necessary. 

Think about a lone worker solutions provider? Take a look at our free crib sheet with questions you should ask to ensure they’re a good fit for your organisation.