Lone Working

Overview

A lone worker is someone who is isolated from help, either due to location, time or the nature of their work. This could be someone who:

• Drives through or works in geographical isolation and/or difficult areas to access, such as mountain terrain.
• Drives through or works in an area not likely to be accessed by others, such as remote rural areas.
• Drives through or works in areas where communication is difficult, such as telecommunication black spots.
• Works a sole charge late/early shift.

The risks of working alone

Risks to lone workers will vary, depending on the nature of each job. But some common risks may include:

Safety

Working alone means if something goes wrong or there is an accident, there may be no one else there to help.

Security or confrontation

Working alone may put you at increased risk from other people that you interact with, such as clients or strangers.

Social, technological or organisational isolation

You might feel cut off from opportunities, information, interaction and events.

Legal requirements

The Health and Safety at Work - General Risk and Workplace Management Regulations specifically require a person/entity conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to manage any risks to the health and safety of their lone workers.

If risks cannot be eliminated, they must be minimised, as far as is reasonably practical.

Because each work situation is different, PCBUs may need to consider the risks to lone workers on a case-by-case basis, unless there are specific codes of practice or industry guidelines already in place.

Under the rules, PCBUs must also have an effective way of communicating with their lone workers.

Tips for staying safe

When thinking about staying safe in a lone work situation, ask yourself:

• Would anybody raise the alarm if you crashed your car on the way to a rural site?
• If you were alone and injured on-site and couldn’t use your cell phone, how would your boss know?
• How would you get in touch with your employer if there was a natural disaster?

Some steps you and your employer could consider:

• Design a plan with your manager for how you can get help quickly in an emergency.
• Ask your employer to draw up a plan of what risks you might face as a lone worker and discuss how these can be eliminated or minimised. Your employer may wish to consider setting up a policy for this.
• Set up a plan with your manager for what to do when communication is lost - for example in a natural disaster or when you are working in a cell phone blackspot.
• Ensure your emergency contact details are up-to-date.
• Consider getting a first aid certificate and carrying a first aid kit in your vehicle.
• If your work requires a lot of travelling or driving, discuss the steps you can take to prevent fatigue. You can also download a free guide to preventing fatigue from our website.
• Set up a system of regular, scheduled contact with another person or supervisor. Your manager should make sure that there are regular opportunities to keep in touch and to bring you together with the rest of the team (even if this is by email, telephone conferences or video conferences).
• Ask your manager to ensure you have access to the same or more advanced technology as other employees.
• Ask your manager to ensure you have access to the same information, training, consultation and development as other employees. Managers should try to invite you to work-related and social events whenever possible.

Further resources

• Health and safety representatives and committees