Lone Working
Lone Workers work by themselves without close or direct supervision. They can be in fixed
establishments or working away from their fixed base. This can include remote workers with
no particular base. If unmanaged lone workers can develop their own unsafe systems of
working which may result in accidents and claims. They can be at risk simply because they
cannot be directly supervised and do not have access to normal facilities at a fixed base.
MINIMUM STANDARDS
1. No person should be required to work in isolation, so far as is reasonably practicable.
2. Specific tasks and job roles which unavoidably involve or require a person to work alone
are subject to a separate documented risk assessment, taking into consideration any
particular risk factors. These may be particular to the work environment, the nature of work
itself or the individual e.g. Risk of violence/harassment, women and young persons, cash
handling, night working, fitness of the individual, and devices and procedures to
contact/monitor the lone worker. Any controls deemed necessary are suitably implemented
after the appropriate consultation with the workforce.
3. All locations where individuals work alone are covered by a system ensuring that the area is
suitable, and well maintained with plant and equipment free from defects.
4. Where necessary there is a proven system in place for checking on the status of the lone
worker at established regular intervals.
5. If a person is required to work alone, they are properly trained and of responsible nature.
6. A system is in place for lone workers to summon assistance in emergency situations.
7. Occupational health, absence management, and emergency and first aid arrangements
are in place to cover lone worker requirements as per the rest of the workforce.
BEST PRACTISE
• Identify lone working in the organisation and develop a specific policy.
• Bespoke safe working procedures & guidelines are incorporated into health & safety training
for lone workers to validate competence and address any particular needs.
• Technological solutions are considered and utilised where appropriate e.g. tagging, lone
working management software applications and alarms.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
There are few legal restrictions on lone working but the general duties under the Health & Safety at
Work Act 1974 (principles actionable under common law) and Management of Health & Safety at
Work Regulations 1999 will apply. The requirement to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk
assessment and implementation of the necessary controls so far as is reasonably practicable will
be crucial in determining whether the risk will be acceptable. A court’s interpretation as to whether
controls employed are ‘suitable and sufficient’ will arguably be more onerous in lone working
situations. Other statutory legislation is applicable to lone working as to all other employees. When
considering whether arrangements for lone workers are adequate employers should consult HSE
and other guidance.
GUIDANCE & USEFUL INFORMATION
• HSE: Working Alone in Safety – Controlling the Risk of Solitary Work (INDG73 rev. 2002)
• GMB: Guide to working alone (undated)
• LHC: London Hazards Centre Fact sheet – Lone Working (2000)
• UNISON: Working Alone – A Health & Safety Guide on Lone Working for Safety
Representatives (2000)
For further information contact RM@UK.qbe.com

Dear reader
Thank you for taking the trouble to read this publication.
QBE Risk Management believe that best practice organisations are those where senior individuals
facilitate and engage in the processes of sensible risk management. We make this document available to
all interest parties in an effort to share knowledge and promote good practise.
Our services are available only to clients insured by QBE in Europe. Our insurance products are sold
through insurance brokers. We cannot offer advisory services to anyone else, however we would be
delighted to hear if you have found this document useful or believe there are risk management issues that
do not receive appropriate attention in the media.
Regards
QBE Risk Management Team
email: RM@uk.qbe.com
www.QBEeurope.com/RM
Disclaimer
This document has been produced by QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited (“QIEL”). QIEL is a company member of the
QBE Insurance Group.
Readership of this Forum does not create an insurer-client, advisor-client, or other business or legal relationship.
This Forum provides information about the law to help you understand and manage risk within your organisation.
Legal information is not the same as legal advice.
This Forum does not purport to provide a definitive statement of the law and is not intended to replace, nor may it be
relied upon as a substitute for specific legal or other professional advice.
QIEL has acted in good faith to provide an accurate Forum. However, QIEL and the QBE Group do not make any
warranties or representations of any kind about the contents of this Forum, the accuracy or timeliness of its contents,
or the information or explanations (if any) given.
QIEL and the QBE Group do not have any duty to you, whether in contract, tort, under statute or otherwise with
respect to or in connection with this Forum or the information contained within it. QIEL and the QBE Group have no
obligation to update this report or any information contained within it.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, QIEL and the QBE Group disclaim any responsibility or liability for any loss or
damage suffered or cost incurred by you or by any other person arising out of or in connection with your or any other
person’s reliance on this Report or on the information contained within it and for any omissions or inaccuracies.
QBE European Operations
Plantation Place
30 Fenchurch Street
London
EC3M 3BD
tel +44 (0)20 7105 4000
fax +44 (0)20 7105 4019
QBE European Operations is a trading name of QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited, no.01761561 ('QIEL'), QBE Underwriting Limited, no. 01035198 ('QUL'), QBE Management Services (UK)
Limited, no. 03153567 ('QMSUK') and QBE Underwriting Services (UK) Limited, no. 02262145 ('QSUK'), whose registered offices are at Plantation Place, 30 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M
3BD. All four companies are incorporated in England and Wales. QIEL and QUL are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. QUL is a Lloyd's managing agent. QMSUK
and QSUK are both Appointed Representatives of QIEL and QUL.