Lone Worker Safety Checklist: 12 Essentials for Employers

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 place clear obligations on employers, but in many industries, from utilities and engineering to social care and field sales, the realities of lone working present unique challenges. This checklist not only outlines 12 practical, compliance-backed measures to embed into your operations but also ensures your organisation can meet legal duties, strengthen employee trust, and reduce operational risks.

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The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 place clear obligations on employers, but in many industries, from utilities and engineering to social care and field sales, the realities of lone working present unique challenges. This checklist not only outlines 12 practical, compliance-backed measures to embed into your operations but also ensures your organisation can meet legal duties, strengthen employee trust, and reduce operational risks.

  1. Conduct a Role-Specific Lone Worker Risk Assessment

Different roles face different risks. A field service engineer’s hazards are not the same as those of a community nurse.

  • Action for Leaders: Commission a thorough risk assessment for each lone-working role and review after operational changes or incidents.
  • Compliance: HSE guidance INDG73 advises regular review and documentation of lone working risks.

  1. Develop a Clear, Accessible Lone Working Policy

Policies must go beyond a document on the intranet—they need to guide real-world decisions.

  • Action for Leaders: Create a concise but comprehensive policy, ensure employees confirm they have read it, and make it accessible across devices.
  • Compliance: Employers are required to provide instruction and supervision under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act.

  1. Equip Staff with Reliable Communication Tools

From digital push-to-talk radios to satellite-enabled devices, your communication solution should be matched to the risk environment.

  • Action for Leaders: Audit current devices for coverage gaps and introduce standardised check-in intervals.
  • Compliance: HSE requires that workers be able to maintain contact and summon help in an emergency.

  1. Enable Real-Time Location Monitoring

In emergencies, every minute counts. GPS-enabled systems reduce response times and improve rescue accuracy.

  • Action for Leaders: Implement a GDPR-compliant location system with clear rules on data access and retention.
  • Compliance: Data handling must comply with the Data Protection Act 2018.

  1. Deliver Tailored Training Programmes

Training is not a one-off event—it should evolve with risks and technology.

  • Action for Leaders: Provide scenario-based training on hazard recognition, incident escalation, and equipment use.
  • Compliance: Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, Regulation 13, requires role-appropriate training.

  1. Establish and Test Emergency Response Protocols

Procedures must work in practice, not just on paper.

  • Action for Leaders: Conduct regular drills and ensure escalation contacts are always up to date.
  • Compliance: The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require adequate arrangements for emergencies.

  1. Monitor Wellbeing as Part of Safety Management

Prolonged lone working can increase stress, fatigue, and disengagement.

  • Action for Leaders: Build regular well-being check-ins into line management processes and provide mental health resources.
  • Compliance: The duty to protect extends to mental as well as physical health under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

  1. Maintain an Accurate and Live Work Schedule

If you cannot confirm where someone is meant to be, you cannot respond effectively.

  • Action for Leaders: Keep centralised rotas updated in real time and ensure deviations are reported.
  • Compliance: Accurate scheduling supports employer’s duty of care obligations.

  1. Provide the Right PPE for Lone Working Conditions

PPE for lone workers may include not just physical protection but wearable alarms.

  • Action for Leaders: Conduct PPE audits and set replacement timelines to prevent degradation.
  • Compliance: The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022 cover provision and upkeep.

  1. Control Access to Higher-Risk Environments

Minimise exposure to hazards by limiting unnecessary access.

  • Action for Leaders: Introduce access controls and mandatory sign-ins for high-risk zones.
  • Compliance: Falls under the employer’s risk management duties in the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.

  1. Log, Review, and Learn from Incidents

Small incidents often highlight systemic weaknesses.

  • Action for Leaders: Implement a digital reporting tool, review patterns quarterly, and share findings across teams.
  • Compliance: RIDDOR 2013 outlines mandatory reporting thresholds.

  1. Commit to Continuous Improvement

Compliance is the baseline, but leadership is about going further.

  • Action for Leaders: Review your lone worker safety checklist quarterly, factoring in changes in legislation, workforce, and technology.
  • Compliance: Aligns with HSE’s safety management best practices.

Leadership in Lone Worker Safety

Embedding these measures into your operations sends a clear message: your organisation prioritises safety, compliance, and care. For HR managers, HSE officers, and operations leaders, the lone worker safety checklist is more than a document—it is a strategic tool that protects both people and business continuity.