Night work and the HSE: What employers need to know

2025-03-10

Having employees who work at night carries a particular duty of care. The HSE sets clear requirements for risk assessment, scheduling and protective measures – and those requirements are more stringent still when night work is combined with lone working.

What is night work under UK law?

The Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR) define night work as work during the period 11pm to 6am. Night workers must not work more than an average of eight hours in any 24-hour period, and must be offered a free health assessment before they start night work and at regular intervals thereafter [1].

Employers are also required under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 to carry out a suitable risk assessment that covers the specific hazards of night work [2].

Employer duties for night workers

Employers have a clear responsibility for the safety of night-working staff. In practice this means:

Risk assessment must be carried out – the specific risks of night work, including increased fatigue, reduced reaction time and isolation, must be identified and documented.

Schedules must be planned safely – excessively long shifts and insufficient rest between shifts must be avoided.

Health assessments must be offered – night workers have the right to a free health assessment before starting night work [1].

Safe procedures for lone working – where night work also involves lone working, the requirements for lone working safety apply in addition, including the need for workers to be able to summon help quickly in an emergency [1][2].

Risks of night work – especially when combined with lone working

Night workers face higher risks of sleep disorders, fatigue, cardiovascular disease and impaired reaction time. When night work is combined with lone working, the risk increases further: if something goes wrong, there is no colleague nearby to intervene or raise the alarm [2].

The combination of night work and lone working means that accidents can have more serious consequences – emergency services have longer response times at night, and incidents may go unnoticed for longer. Read more about workplace accidents involving lone workers.

Personal alarm – a necessary safeguard

Where night work carries a particular risk, HSE guidance on lone working expects employers to ensure workers can summon help. In practice this typically means a personal alarm for lone workers.

A personal alarm provides:

  • Immediate alert at the press of a button – without needing to reach for a mobile phone
  • Automatic man-down alert in the event of a fall or inactivity
  • GPS positioning so that help can be directed to the right location
  • Two-way communication via a built-in speakerphone

Consequences of failing to meet requirements

If an employer fails to meet night workers’ safety requirements, the HSE can issue improvement or prohibition notices, prosecute and impose unlimited fines. Read more about the consequences of breaching lone working rules.

A personal alarm with man-down alert increases workplace safety

Sensorem’s personal alarm is designed specifically to increase safety for lone workers. The alarm has an automatic man-down alert that calls alarm recipients via the watch’s built-in speakerphone with two-way communication. If no recipient answers, the call is forwarded to Sensorem’s alarm centre. The alarm works outdoors and has built-in GPS positioning.

 

 

READ ABOUT SENSOREM’S PERSONAL ALARM FOR LONE WORKERS

Sources