Employer Responsibilities: Lone Worker Safety

Employers who expect their staff to carry out some or all of their duties without a workmate have a moral and legal duty to protect them.

The main responsibilities include carrying out risk assessments, training staff, and providing remote supervision and assistance.

Below, we take a closer look at these responsibilities and also see what employers can do to manage and mitigate some of the common risks lone workers face.

The Law

The law is clear: an employer has a duty of care when it comes to the health and safety of its employees, including its lone workers.

The two main pieces of health and safety legislation are:

- The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA 1974).
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR 1999).

It’s important to bear in mind that these rules and regulations apply not just to permanent staff members but also to staff members on temporary or freelance contracts.

Main Responsibilities

The 1999 regulations are probably the most important as far as lone workers are concerned and lay out the main employer responsibilities.

They include:

- Conduct a full risk assessment of any work sites where lone work will be performed.
- Train lone workers so they can identify, manage and mitigate the risks they might face.
- Supervise lone workers, either remotely using technology or via periodic on-site visits.
- Provide the employer with the means to keep in touch and reach out for help should the need arise.
- Respond promptly and appropriately to all calls for help and assistance.

Training

At the heart of any robust lone worker safety regime is training.

Training can take many forms, but when it comes to lone workers, it will typically involve training them to recognize the risks they face and how to use the tools and technology that allow them to manage and mitigate those risks.

Training is especially important when it comes to the lone-worker safety devices that an employer may expect its workers to use while out on the job.

Supervision

Keeping tabs on lone workers is a key responsibility for all employers.

Technology has an important role to play here, too. A company like ANT Telecom has a range of fail-safe lone worker devices that allow employers to check up on lone workers.

There are a number of different lone worker devices on the market – from lone worker apps and alarms to ATEX handsets – that allow employers to keep tabs on their lone workers.

An added layer of protection and supervision comes in the shape of GPS-powered technology that allows an employer to quickly pinpoint its lone workers, a life-saver when disaster strikes or an emergency arises.

Conclusion

As we have shown, employers have a range of duties to their employees, including their lone workers.

With the right risk assessment procedures and appropriate technology, employers can discharge their legal duties and give their lone workers the peace of mind that they have their back should the worst happen.