ADVICE & OPINION
COMPLIANCE
In association with LONE WORKERS
Lone workers are those who work by themselves without
close or direct supervision, and they can be found in
many working environments. www.barbour-ehs.com
EXAMPLES OF LONE WORKING INCLUDE:
People working alone in premises, such as shops
or kiosks
Home workers
People working outside of normal working hours,
such as cleaners, security sta , maintenance or
repair sta
Those who work separately from others, such
as research sta , or those in leisure centres,
warehouses etc
Agricultural and forestry workers
Service workers, such as postal sta , social
workers, doctors and nurses, drivers, estate
agents, etc
Those involved in trades such as electrical repairs,
plumbing, li repairs, painting and decorating etc.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EMPLOYERS
When carrying out risk assessments involve sta
or their representatives
Put relevant control measures in place – and
periodically check that they are su icient to
manage the risk
If a lone worker works at another employer’s
workplace, that employer should inform the lone
worker’s employer of any risks and the controls
in place
If working alone is not able to be conducted
safely, help or back up should be provided
Review risk assessments annually, or when there
are any significant changes in working practice or
following an incident
12 SEPTEMBER 2020
WHEN CARRYING OUT THE RISK ASSESSMENT,
THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ASKED,
TO ENSURE ADEQUATE CONTROL MEASURES ARE
PUT IN PLACE:
Is there safe access and egress for one person?
Can one person handle any necessary temporary
access equipment, such as portable ladders?
Can one person handle all the necessary
machinery and goods?
Are any chemicals or hazardous substances used
that may pose a risk to the worker?
Does the work involve li ing objects too large for
one person?
Is there a risk of violence?
Are young, pregnant or disabled workers
particularly at risk if they work alone?
If the lone worker’s first language is not English,
are suitable arrangements in place to ensure clear
communication, especially in an emergency?
Do lone workers have any medical conditions that
make lone working unsuitable?
Can suitable levels of supervision be provided?
What happens if the lone worker become ill, has an
accident or there is an emergency including first aid
arrangements?
Are special lone working alarms or communication
devices needed?
Visit https://barbour-ehs.com to register
LEGAL DUTIES
The main areas of health and safety law relevant
to lone working are:
Confined Spaces Regulations 1997
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981
Li ing Operations and Li ing Equipment
Regulations 1998 (LOLER)
Provision and Use of Work Equipment
Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous
Occurrences Regulations 2013
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare)
Regulations 1992.
EXAMPLES OF WHERE LONE
WORKING IS NOT SUITABLE, AND
AT LEAST ONE OTHER PERSON
SHOULD BE PRESENT ARE:
Working at or near exposed electricity
conductors
Working in confined spaces where there may be
toxic materials, or lack of oxygen or other risks
Undertaking health or social care visits to
unpredictable clients
CASE LAW
2016 – A manufacturing company was fined £1
million a er a lone worker
was crushed to death
by falling machinery.
The CNC milling
machine had
been li ed
using jacks and
placed on skates;
the employee,
working alone, was
using an angle grinder to cut
and remove fixings when the milling machine
overturned, crushing him.
The employer had not ensured that employees
had proper training, had not assessed the risks
and the work was not properly planned. This
resulted in an unsafe system of work being used,
with fatal consequences.
The employer pleaded guilty to breaching
Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc.
Act 1974 and Regulation 3(1) of the Management
of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
They were fined £1 million with costs.
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