What Is a Lone Working Procedure

A Lone Working Procedure is a written document which gives employees guidance on how to work safely without supervision, reporting procedures for incidents and should be reviewed regularly by Lone Workers, Managers and Safety Teams to ensure its relevance and accuracy.

Prepare an emergency plan based on the findings of your risk analysis, with an employee-activated emergency call or GPS tracking system as part of it.

Identifying a lone worker

Lionite workers refers to anyone working alone without immediate or direct supervision, such as receptionists, delivery drivers, construction workers and field service staff. Other lone workers could include social care workers, paramedics and security guards - these workers should be assessed carefully prior to being assigned solo assignments as they may be vulnerable to violence from members of the public and should always be closely supervised before working independently.

After identifying potential hazards, it is also essential to assess risks and devise plans to mitigate them. This may involve implementing safety protocols, providing personal protective equipment or training sessions specifically targeted to employees working alone. It is also wise to review whether your lone working policy has been updated with accurate documentation.

Lone worker procedures must outline all the steps that employees must take to stay safe when working alone, such as checking in regularly, providing emergency contact info, and how to handle a situation if it arises. Regular testing should take place to make sure these systems are effective and understood by employees.

Escalation Procedure is another essential aspect of any lone worker policy, providing guidelines on how to notify other members of staff or an independent call centre should an employee become distressed while working alone. It's vital that someone knows immediately if an incident arises so appropriate action can be taken immediately.

Finally, it is crucial to identify any employees who may be more vulnerable when working alone, such as newcomers, those with a disability or medical condition, young people and anyone suffering from stress at home. Their line manager should offer additional support while paying special attention to ensuring their safety in the workplace.

Identifying the lone worker’s role

A lone worker is defined by their job and circumstances of operation. For instance, someone working alone on a building site for the entire day is considered a lone worker; even with access to mobile phones or walkie-talkies they could still be far away from colleagues and should create an emergency plan that includes an escalation procedure in case they do not check in as regularly or become unwell.

Lone workers face many risks. These include limited access to first aid in case of accidents or injuries, violence from clients or members of the public and increased risks due to being isolated. Lone workers also stand a higher chance of mental health problems as a result of being alone for so long.

Training lone workers properly is vital in order to properly identify and address potential safety concerns. Training courses or awareness sessions may provide this necessary knowledge.

Managers and supervisors should understand the significance and implementation of a lone working policy and adhere to it accordingly. Managers and supervisors must be mindful of risks involved with lone working, be accountable for monitoring employees, providing training sessions and responding to emergencies quickly when needed. A reliable lone worker service will allow visibility of staff locations when working alone while simultaneously dispatching help quickly when an emergency arises resulting in a safer workplace for all and reduced employee turnover costs.

Identifying the lone worker’s responsibilities





Lone workers include construction workers, taxi drivers, home care workers, security staff and even receptionists in large offices. Each type of lone work entails different risks; however all require being aware of their surroundings while remaining in contact with someone at all times and access to emergency services in case an incident occurs.

Employers have a legal responsibility to ensure lone workers are safeguarded. This involves conducting a risk analysis before permitting employees to work alone, and taking measures to minimise risks they face. Furthermore, training must also be provided so employees can deal with unexpected situations should they arise.

Some lone workers are especially vulnerable to violence or assault, such as social and housing staff who perform checks on vulnerable residents in their own homes (social workers), retail, bar and hospitality staff who take payments over the phone or in store (retail staff), retail workers taking payments over the phone (retail, bar and hospitality workers), as well as those performing maintenance inspections in remote locations with physical barriers separating colleagues. Other categories of lone workers face environmental hazards; those doing maintenance in remote locations or inspections by themselves (maintenance staffers).

Clear procedures for monitoring lone workers and responding to emergencies are crucial for their safety. This should include a checklist to identify hazards that could compromise health and safety risks to lone workers. Policies pertaining to them should also be regularly revised in line with changes to workplace or job roles; keeping abreast of changes can ensure employees stay safe on the job and can provide accurate details in case an emergency arises.

Identifying the lone worker’s equipment

Lone workers must be provided with proper safety equipment, including communication and geolocation devices. Furthermore, it's crucial that they know how to use this equipment responsibly so as to avoid taking unnecessary risks or having accidents; additionally, this will encourage them to follow company procedures when working alone and report potential hazards when necessary.

Equipment designed for lone workers should be robust enough to withstand challenging working environments, with resistance against water, shocks and dust as well as long battery life. Furthermore, an emergency panic button must be present so employees can easily seek assistance in an emergency situation. These features will enable employees to get help when necessary.

Companies should create and enforce a Lone Working Policy which provides specific health and safety guidelines for their employees working alone. This policy should be regularly reviewed as job roles, environmental conditions and regulations change. Furthermore, training lone workers on how to use equipment correctly is also key for setting clear expectations.

When an accident or incident happens, lone workers must promptly inform their manager. Depending on the nature of the event, police may need to be called - this will allow employers to identify issues and improve policies regarding solo work.

Thorough risk analyses, policies, lone worker training programs, communication systems and comprehensive technology solutions like Bodytrak can significantly lower the risks of injuries and fatalities among lone workers. Monitoring physical well-being through check-in/PPE procedures as well as conducting regular risk analyses is essential in protecting this workforce and it would also be wise to conduct risk analyses and devise escalation procedures specifically for lone workers is recommended.

Identifying the lone worker’s accommodation

Accommodation for lone workers should be easily accessible and well-lit, providing easy access to communication systems and safety equipment. Employees should also have the capability of quickly exiting their work environment in case of emergency; this ensures they can quickly contact colleagues for help if required.

Employers must conduct a risk analysis and provide training for all workers who will be working solo. Furthermore, they should check that none of them suffer from medical conditions that might hinder their ability to work alone safely. It's vital that employees are accounted for either at the end of each shift or once they arrive at their accommodation - whichever comes first.

Lone working can take many forms, each posing its own set of hazards. Healthcare professionals working solo may encounter hazards like trip hazards, aggressive animals or hostility from patients; additionally lone workers visiting clients' homes could face additional problems like alcohol and substance abuse.

These lone workers must be provided with an Escalation Procedure which clearly outlines what should happen in case of an incident, including how they should inform their employer and relevant authorities of any incidents they experience. It should also encourage safety solutions like wearable panic buttons or other wearable safety solutions designed specifically for them.

As it is essential to develop a comprehensive lone working policy, effective procedures can prevent tragedies like the stabbing death of mental health worker Ashleigh Ewing in 2006 and Andrew Locovou's murder in 2013 at an unattended betting shop early one morning.