The Growing Lone Worker Challenge

Construction isn't always a team activity. Surveyors visiting sites, security guards on night duty, maintenance workers called out to emergencies, subcontractors completing finishing work—all may find themselves working alone, sometimes in remote locations or outside normal hours.

Lone workers face the same hazards as anyone else on a construction site, but with a critical difference: if something goes wrong, there's no one immediately available to help, raise the alarm, or provide first aid.

What the Law Requires

There's no specific legislation prohibiting lone working in construction (with some exceptions like confined space entry). However, employers have clear duties under:

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of employees. This includes lone workers.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Requires risk assessment of all work activities, including specific consideration of risks faced by lone workers. If you employ five or more people, this assessment must be in writing.

CDM Regulations 2015

Construction work must be properly planned, managed, and monitored. This includes ensuring adequate arrangements for lone workers.

Who Works Alone in Construction?

Lone working is more common than many realise:

• Surveyors and inspectors: Visiting sites for surveys, inspections, or valuations
• Security staff: Guarding sites outside working hours
• Maintenance workers: Emergency call-outs or scheduled maintenance
• Delivery drivers: Dropping materials at sites
• Cleaners: Working before or after the main workforce
• Finishing trades: Decorators, carpet fitters completing work after other trades leave
• Small contractors: Sole traders or small firms often work alone
• Weekend and overtime workers: Catching up when the site is otherwise closed

Why Lone Workers Need Special Consideration

Lone workers are more vulnerable because:

• No one is immediately available to summon help in an emergency
• They can't be observed if they become ill or are injured
• They may be more vulnerable to violence or intimidation
• The psychological pressure of working alone can increase stress
• Normal site safety systems may not be operating (e.g., outside normal hours)
• They may be tempted to take shortcuts without supervision

Risk Assessment for Lone Workers

A lone worker risk assessment should consider:

The Work Environment

• Is the location remote or difficult to access?
• Is mobile phone signal reliable?
• Are there specific hazards at the location?
• Is the site secure?
• What are the lighting conditions?

The Task

• Does it involve any high-risk activities (working at height, confined spaces, etc.)?
• Could a lone worker safely handle an emergency?
• Is specialist equipment involved?
• How long will they be working alone?

The Individual

• Are they experienced and competent?
• Do they have any medical conditions that could cause sudden incapacity?
• Are they trained in first aid and emergency procedures?
• Are they comfortable working alone?

Violence and Aggression

• Is there any history of violence or antisocial behaviour at the location?
• Might the worker encounter aggressive individuals?
• Is the work likely to involve confrontational situations?

Some Work Should Never Be Done Alone

Certain high-risk activities require at least one other person present:

• Confined space entry: Requires a competent person outside the space to monitor and initiate rescue
• Live electrical work: Should never be done alone
• Work with certain hazardous substances: Where sudden incapacity could occur
• Situations with high risk of violence: Staff should not face potentially violent situations alone

Control Measures for Lone Workers

Supervision and Monitoring

• Regular check-ins: Scheduled calls or messages at agreed intervals
• Automatic check-in systems: Worker must confirm OK periodically; failure triggers alert
• GPS tracking: Know where workers are, especially in emergencies
• CCTV: For fixed locations like site security

Communication

• Ensure reliable means of communication (mobile phones, radios)
• Provide emergency contact numbers
• Consider what happens if normal communications fail
• Use lone worker apps that can raise automatic alarms

Personal Safety Devices

Lone worker devices can include:

• Man-down sensors that detect falls or lack of movement
• Panic buttons for emergencies
• GPS location tracking
• Automatic check-in features
• Two-way communication

Training

Lone workers should receive training in:

• Specific hazards they may face
• Emergency procedures and first aid
• Use of safety equipment and check-in systems
• Conflict avoidance and personal safety
• When to stop work and seek help

Information

• Ensure someone always knows where lone workers are and when to expect them back
• Provide clear procedures for what to do if a check-in is missed
• Give workers information about specific site hazards

Mental Health Considerations

The HSE's updated lone working guidance emphasises mental health. Working alone can:

• Increase feelings of isolation and stress
• Make it harder to access support
• Affect work-life balance (especially for those on call)

Consider how you support lone workers' mental wellbeing, not just physical safety.

Emergency Procedures

Lone workers need clear emergency procedures covering:

• How to raise the alarm
• Who to contact and how
• What to do while waiting for help
• Location of first aid equipment
• Site-specific emergency information

Procedures should account for situations where the lone worker may be incapacitated and unable to raise the alarm themselves.

Conclusion

Lone working is sometimes unavoidable in construction, but the risks can be managed. The key is recognising that lone workers need specific consideration—the same controls that protect workers in teams may not be adequate when someone is on their own.

Include lone working in your RAMS documents when relevant. Specify what check-in procedures will be used, what communication equipment workers will have, and what happens if contact is lost. These simple measures can make the difference between a manageable incident and a tragedy.