What does a lone worker risk assessment involve?

2024-03-20

A risk assessment is the foundation of safe lone working. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must identify, assess and control lone working risks – and keep a documented record.

Step 1 – Identify the hazards

Map the potential hazards of lone working in your specific environment – slip and trip risks, manual handling, chemicals, threats and violence, or the risk of a medical emergency with no one to help. The mapping should involve the employees who carry out the lone working [1].

Step 2 – Assess the risk

Assess how serious and likely each identified hazard is. How severe could the consequences of an accident or incident be? How probable is it? Combine likelihood and consequence to prioritise which control measures are most urgent. Read about lone working risks.

Step 3 – Evaluate existing controls

Review the safety controls already in place – equipment, procedures and communication systems. Are they adequate? Do they work in practice? Read about safety at the workplace for HR managers.

Step 4 – Implement control measures

Based on the assessment, implement concrete control measures – appropriate equipment (e.g. a personal alarm for lone workers), training, emergency procedures or reorganisation of work to avoid lone working in the highest-risk situations [1].

Step 5 – Document and review

The risk assessment must be recorded in writing and include: identified hazards, control measures, responsible persons and a review date. It must be reviewed regularly and whenever the work changes [1][2].

Consequences of a missing risk assessment

If an employer cannot demonstrate a documented risk assessment for lone working, the HSE can issue improvement notices and prosecute. Read about the legal consequences of failing to meet lone working obligations.

A personal alarm with man-down alert increases workplace safety

Sensorem’s personal alarm has an automatic man-down alert that calls alarm recipients via the watch’s built-in speakerphone with two-way communication. The alarm works outdoors and has built-in GPS positioning.

 

READ ABOUT HOW SENSOREM’S PERSONAL ALARM CAN HELP WHEN WORKING ALONE

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