As a business owner, you’re ultimately responsible for the safety and health of all employees — including those who work alone, either off site (traveling salespeople, telecommuters, etc.) or around your facility (such as security guards and night maintenance staff).
To help determine if these lone workers are safe, ask yourself:
Assessing lone-worker risk
- Does the workplace present a special risk?
- Is there a safe way in and out?
- Can one person handle temporary access equipment (such as portable ladders)?
- Are there potentially dangerous chemicals or hazardous substances involved?
- Does the job involve lifting objects too large for one person?
- Is more than one person needed to operate equipment or workplace transport safely?
- Is there a risk of violence?
- Are young, pregnant, or disabled employees at risk if they work alone?
- If the worker's first language isn’t English, are there arrangements for clear communication, especially in emergencies?
- Is the worker medically fit to work alone?
Once these questions are answered, you can reduce the risk to your solo workers by:
Reducing risks for lone workers
- Establishing a check-in procedure
- Recognizing that some high-risk activities can’t be performed alone and providing a buddy system for these situations
- Having the worker meet clients in a safe location if there’s a risk of violence
- Instructing distant employees not to enter any place or situation that feels unsafe
- Making site visits whenever possible
- Staying in touch with the employee by phone, text, e-mail, webcam, or radio
For more information, see Safety in Distribution Centers and Workplace Concerns or Understanding Risks in Landscaping and Business. For personalized advice, talk to an agent or feel free to get in touch with us at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a lone worker?
A lone worker is anyone who performs work without close or direct supervision, either off site or alone on a site where colleagues are not present or immediately available.
How can employers check on lone workers without constant oversight?
Employers can use scheduled check-ins, phone calls, scheduled reports, or monitored devices (phones, apps, radios) and should establish clear procedures for missed check-ins or emergencies.
When is it unsafe to allow someone to work alone?
Working alone is unsafe when tasks involve hazardous materials, heavy lifting beyond one person’s capacity, operating equipment that requires two people, or when there is a significant risk of violence or medical emergency.
What should I include in a lone-worker policy?
Include risk assessments for lone tasks, check-in and emergency procedures, training requirements, equipment protocols, and criteria for when a buddy or supervision is required.