Currently there is no law specific to lone working in the UK. However if you employ lone workers, Health & Safety regulations state that you have a duty of care to ensure they are safe whilst they are at work. It is vital that you understand the regulations for those working alone. This is because they will always face higher risks without anyone there to support them should things go wrong.
The term "lone worker" refers to anyone who works by themselves, without direct or close supervision. So the first step to protecting your lone workers is to identify all of those people who work alone in your business. This could include, for example, home workers, hybrid workers, remote workers, engineers, delivery drivers or care workers.
As an employer, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, you have a general duty of care to maintain safe working arrangements for your staff. There is another duty under the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 which specifies that you must manage all risks to your lone workers by carrying out a risk assessment of the hazards to which your employees are exposed.
To meet these lone worker regulations as an employer you must:
It is imperative that you comply with lone worker regulations otherwise you face the consequences of:
Creating and implementing a lone worker policy supports compliance of these regulations. A lone worker policy provides guidance for employers and employees on lone working and clarifies roles, responsibilities and procedures. It also includes Health & Safety advice, information on how to report safety concerns, and details of how to respond in an emergency.
In summary, there are Health & Safety regulations in the UK which specify that you must manage the risks faced by your lone workers. To ensure you meet these regulations you must carry out a risk assessment, provide employee training, put emergency procedures in place and keep in touch with your lone workers whilst they are at work. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in damage to your reputation, a hefty fine or a tragedy at work, should the worst happen.