What does the HSE say about lone working?

2024-03-03

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 set clear duties for employers whose staff work alone. Here we explain what the rules mean in practice and what employers are specifically required to do.

What is the regulatory framework for lone working in the UK?

In the UK, lone working is governed primarily by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAWA), which requires every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all employees, including those who work alone [1].

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 add a specific requirement to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for lone workers and to implement appropriate control measures [2].

Enforcement is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Risk assessment – the employer’s first duty

Employers must carry out a risk assessment that identifies the specific hazards of lone working and documents the control measures in place. The assessment must be reviewed when circumstances change [1][2].

Examples of risks to assess:

  • Risk of accidents with no one to intervene
  • Risk of threats and violence – read more about personal alarms in unsafe situations
  • Risk of sudden medical episodes with no means of raising the alarm

Control measures and equipment

Once risks are identified, the employer must implement concrete control measures. This may include technical solutions, organisational procedures and training. Safety at the workplace for HR managers covers the practical requirements in detail.

The employer must ensure that the lone worker has suitable means of communication and can summon help quickly [1][2]. Where the work involves significant risk that cannot be eliminated, lone working must not take place.

Emergency procedures

Employers must have effective emergency procedures in place for situations that may arise during lone working – fire, medical emergencies or threatening situations. Procedures must be communicated to all relevant staff and tested regularly.

Monitoring and review

HSE guidance requires employers to monitor the effectiveness of control measures regularly and update the risk assessment when new risks arise or when existing measures prove inadequate [1][2].

Consequences of failing to comply

Where an employer fails to meet the 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

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