What are lone workers and how can you protect them?

Lone working is incredibly common in the UK, with over 8 million people working alone in-office, on site, and at home every day. Sadly, there are around 150 instances every day where lone workers experience physical or verbal attacks (according to the British Crime Survey). On top of this, there will be many more who do not report the attacks. 

Before we dive into how you can protect your lone workers, we must first define what they are. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) describes lone workers as “those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision.” 

In terms of professions, this would include roles like:

• Petrol station workers
• Real estate agents
• Night guards
• Care workers who carry out home visits 
• At-home workers 
• Cleaners 
• Engineers 

There are also many job roles that will require lone working in small bursts - such as delivery drivers - who have to leave the comfort of their vehicle throughout their shift.  

When it comes to lone workers, employees have a responsibility to ensure their health and safety at all times. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to get you on the right track. 

What are the risks?  

Although working alone does not always mean the risk is guaranteed to be higher, it does mean that your employees are likely to be more vulnerable should something happen. As well as this, there is no immediate support nearby, especially if working off-site.

Should the worst happen while your employee is working alone - such as aggression from another person, an intruder in a workspace, or an accident - your employee needs a system in place that is designed to prioritise their safety. 

As well as physical risks, lone working can also result in mental health issues, so these must be addressed too. 

Are lone workers necessary for your business? 

If it’s at all possible to eliminate lone working then we suggest doing so. Implementing a buddy system or rearranging work teams could make lone working less frequent, which would in turn lower the risk factor. However, there are many professions where this is impossible and lone working is unavoidable. 

How can you keep your lone workers safe?

It’s down to the employers to put systems in place that will protect their lone workers, wherever and whenever they are working. The most recent Lone Worker Landscape Report stated that 92% of employees believe that their lone workers regularly communicate with them about any incidents or concerns they may have, however the same report also found that only 36% of lone workers actually do. So the breakdown of communication between employer and employee is clear. 

Here are a few essential things you can put in place to make lone working safety a priority: 

1. Invest in technology 

Cutting-edge tools, such as GPS tracking devices, wearable sensors, and real-time communication systems, empower organisations to keep a vigilant eye on their lone employees. By utilising these technological innovations, employers can not only monitor the location and activities of lone workers but also gain immediate communication channels in case of emergencies. 

This approach not only enhances the overall safety of lone workers but also provides a sense of reassurance and support, fostering a healthier and more secure work environment. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, integrating these technologies proves vital in safeguarding lone workers and addressing the unique challenges they may encounter.

2. Carry out risk assessments 

Before you can improve a situation, you must first understand it. The same rule applies to lone working. Understanding the unique challenges faced by lone workers is crucial for ensuring their safety in the workplace. 

One key strategy to protect these employees is the utilisation of comprehensive risk assessments. By thoroughly evaluating the specific tasks and environments in which lone workers work in, employers can identify potential hazards and develop specific safety measures. Risk assessments enable businesses to tailor safety protocols to the unique  needs of each lone worker, taking into account factors such as location, task, and potential emergencies. Different roles will see different emergencies - for example a paramedic is likely to face different scenarios to a real estate agent.

Carrying out risk assessments not only enhances overall safety but also empowers employers to provide relevant training and equip lone workers with the necessary tools and resources. We also highly recommend updating risk assessments regularly in order to ensure they’re always effective. 

3. Ask for feedback 

An important part of ensuring the safety of lone workers is creating a culture of open communication and requesting regular feedback from your employees. 

Encouraging lone workers to share their experiences, concerns, and insights provides valuable information that can be instrumental in enhancing safety protocols. By actively seeking input from those in the role, employers gain a firsthand understanding of the challenges faced in various environments. This feedback allows for the identification of potential risks, improvement of existing safety measures, and tailoring of support for specific needs. 

Feedback also creates an environment where lone workers feel empowered to share their observations, which not only promotes a collaborative safety culture but also ensures that protective measures will happen. 

4. Supply appropriate training 

Ensuring the safety of lone workers should always begin with training. 

Equipping employees with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate potential hazards in isolation is paramount. Appropriate training should cover a spectrum of topics, including risk awareness, emergency procedures, and the use of safety equipment and technology. By investing in training programs, employers empower lone workers to confidently assess their surroundings, respond to unforeseen challenges, and effectively utilise available resources to mitigate risks. 

Ongoing education ensures that lone workers remain up to date with the latest safety protocols, keeping their skills sharp. You can find out more about our training courses here. 

Tools that will help safeguard your lone workers 

There are many tools available to businesses looking to boost their lone working security, including a variety of innovative apps. This SafetyCulture blog post outlines the ‘10 Best Lone Worker Apps to Safeguard Lone Workers in 2023’, helping you to find an app that will work best for your business. 

Protecting your people with CT Health & Safety 

Not only do we offer training that can aid with lone working safety, but we also offer brand new eLearning courses across a variety of appropriate topics such as basic first aid and mental health awareness. Find out more here. 

If you have questions regarding lone working safety in your organisation and how to protect your staff, please send an email to clive@cthealthandsafety.com or call Clive on 07956 074798.