Lone working

Lone working is described as any situation or location in which someone works:

without close or direct supervision
without a colleague nearby
out of sight or earshot of another colleague

Types of lone workers

Working separately from others

For example, a technician working alone in a laboratory providing an out-of-hours service. A maintenance person working in an isolated area.

Working away from a fixed base

For example, a security person on patrol, a nurse on escort duty.

Working in the community

For example, a psychiatric nurse visiting service users homes in community homes.

Working outside normal hours

For example, radiographers, maintenance workers.

Being the only person on the premises

For example, a receptionist alone in a healthcare centre.

Visiting people in their homes

For example, social workers, doctors, home helps, public health nurses.

Hazards of lone working

Some hazards of lone working include:

accidents or emergencies and inadequate provision of first aid
road traffic accidents, breakdowns, punctures
sudden illness
not enough rest or hygiene and welfare facilities
physical violence or verbal abuse from members of the public
Slips, trips, falls
patient moving and handling
manual handling

Manager responsibilities

Carry out a written risk assessment (to include the identification of lone workers) in consultation with employees
Establish clear procedures to set limits on what can and cannot be done where appropriate, when to stop and seek advice
Undertake a training needs assessment
Provide information, training, instruction and supervision
Reviews of control measures to ensure that they are effective

Detailed roles and responsibilities are outlined in the HSE Policy and Guidance on Lone Working.

Employee responsibilities

Work in accordance with the HSE policy, local procedures and safe systems of work and associated risk assessments and controls
Conduct a dynamic risk assessment to quickly assess hazards and risks and taking the necessary steps to eliminate or reduce them in the rapidly changing situation
Report matters of concern, incidents and near misses, defects in equipment or place of work and unsafe systems to the line manager
Comply with any safety measures (for example, lone worker systems/devices, buddy system) that have been introduced

Detailed roles and responsibilities are outlined in the HSE Policy and Guidance on Lone Working.

Controlling risks for lone workers

Lone working must be risk assessed. The risk assessment should identify control measures to eliminate or minimise risks identified.

Control measures include:

lone workers having information about any potential hazards
referrals or requests for a home visit should be made through an authorised source
a control point where employees leave details of their lone working visits
Where self-referral is made from a client that is not known to the service a risk assessment must be carried out and where possible the lone worker should be accompanied by a colleague
where there are known risks associated with a particular location or service user, the risk assessment should identify whether a home visit is appropriate or if an alternative location is warranted
supervision offers valuable support to lone workers because of their unique working conditions
communication using mobile phones, telephone or radio
warning devices such as panic alarms and 'no movement' alarms (also known as man down alarms) if required based on risk assessment
procedure training, for example, 'safe words' or code words for potentially violent situations
first-aid kits and training
implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
security procedures for workplaces
implementing incident reporting and emergency procedures

The control measures should also include instruction and training.

For example:

personal safety techniques
management of work-related aggression and violence training
first aid procedures
emergency procedures
training in the use of any lone worker protection technology

Supervision

An employee new to the job or undergoing training may need supervision

Supervision may include site visits and checking on health and safety procedures.

Regular contact between the line manager and the lone worker is required. This forms a key part in ensuring the safety of the lone worker.

The risk assessment will identify the level of supervision required by the line manager and how it will be provided.

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