Many people work alone, with some estimates suggesting lone workers make up around 22% of the working population. These individuals perform duties without a colleague or manager nearby, a scenario common across numerous industries.
What is Considered Lone Working?
Lone working is performing job duties without the close or direct supervision of colleagues. If an employee cannot be seen or heard by another coworker, they are a lone worker, even for a portion of their day. The core of the definition is the absence of immediate support, not complete physical isolation. An employee can be a lone worker while surrounded by the public or in a separate part of a populated office.
While a home-based employee is often a lone worker, the terms are not interchangeable. The defining factor is whether a person can receive immediate assistance from a colleague in an emergency.
Common Lone Worker Roles
The roles that fall under lone working are diverse and can be grouped into several broad categories.
Mobile and Field-Based Workers
This category includes employees who travel for their jobs. Examples include delivery drivers, in-home service technicians like plumbers or electricians, and utility meter readers. Field-based scientific researchers also fit this description, operating independently in varied locations.
Fixed Location Workers
An employee does not need to be mobile to be a lone worker. Many work from a single site but are isolated, such as security guards patrolling buildings at night or cleaners working after hours. Retail employees in small shops or kiosks and individuals in a remote section of a factory are also lone workers.
Home-Based and Remote Workers
The rise of remote work has increased the number of lone workers. Employees who work from home are separated from the direct support of a central office. This includes professions like writers, call center agents, and IT specialists who lack the immediate physical presence of a colleague.
Public-Facing Roles
Many lone workers operate in full view of the public but are professionally isolated. Social workers and healthcare professionals like district nurses often visit clients in their homes alone. Estate agents showing properties to prospective buyers by themselves are also lone workers, as no colleagues are available for backup.
The Risks Associated with Working Alone
Lone workers face a distinct set of hazards amplified by the absence of immediate help. The inability to get timely assistance can turn a manageable incident into a serious event.
A sudden medical emergency presents a significant danger. If an individual experiences a heart attack or another acute health crisis, the lack of anyone nearby to summon aid can have dire consequences. This risk is compounded for individuals with known medical conditions.
Workplace accidents can become more severe for lone workers. For common incidents like slips, trips, and falls, the injured person may be unable to get first aid or call for help. This is particularly true for those in construction or maintenance working with dangerous machinery.
Violence and aggression from the public are an elevated risk, as lone workers can be seen as easier targets for robbery or assault. Employees who enforce rules, such as security staff, or those who enter private homes, like social workers, are vulnerable to unpredictable encounters.
The social isolation in many lone working roles can lead to stress and anxiety. This psychological strain is a risk in itself, affecting well-being and decision-making. The pressure of handling all challenges alone without the informal support of colleagues can take a considerable toll.
Employer’s Duty of Care for Lone Workers
Every employer has a legal and moral obligation to ensure the health and safety of their employees, known as a “duty of care.” For lone workers, this requires specific measures beyond standard safety protocols. Regulatory bodies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the U.S. and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK mandate these protections.
A primary step is conducting a formal lone worker risk assessment. This process involves identifying hazards associated with the role, from environmental dangers to the risk of violence. The assessment must consider the person, the environment, and the task.
Based on the assessment, employers must develop a formal lone worker policy. This document outlines procedures to minimize risks and should be supported by adequate training. This training should equip lone workers to handle unexpected situations and use any safety equipment provided.
Employers must also establish reliable communication and emergency procedures. This can involve periodic check-ins to account for the employee’s well-being. The employer is responsible for ensuring a lone worker has a reliable way to request help and that a procedure is in place for a swift response.
Safety Strategies for Lone Workers
While employers hold the primary responsibility, employees can adopt strategies to enhance their personal security. Developing strong situational awareness is a foundational practice. This involves being mindful of one’s surroundings and recognizing potential threats before they escalate.
A structured system of regular check-ins is an effective strategy, often managed through a “buddy system” or automated apps. These systems ensure an alarm will be raised if a worker misses a check-in, even if they are unable to call for help themselves.
Journey and location management is another tactic for mobile workers. This involves informing a supervisor of one’s schedule, route, and estimated times of arrival and departure. This information creates a trail that can be followed if the worker becomes uncontactable.
Utilizing technology provided by an employer can improve safety. Many companies equip lone workers with devices like panic alarms, GPS trackers, or specialized smartphone apps. Knowing how to use these tools and carrying them at all times is a direct action a worker can take to protect themselves.