Who This Guidance Is For
This guidance is intended for employers, managers, health and safety professionals and others responsible for staff who work alone.
It is particularly relevant to organisations whose employees visit properties, work in the community, travel between locations or carry out duties without nearby colleagues.
- Housing associations and housing officers
- Local authorities and council employees
- NHS, healthcare and social care services
- Charities and support organisations
- Repairs, maintenance and trades teams
- Other staff working alone or in isolated locations
Employers' Legal Responsibilities
Employers have legal responsibilities to assess workplace risks and take appropriate steps to protect staff who work alone.
Working alone is not automatically unsafe or unlawful. However, employers must consider whether the work can be carried out safely by one person and what precautions are needed.
Some higher-risk activities have specific requirements for additional personnel.
England, Wales and Scotland
Under section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers must protect their employees' health, safety and welfare at work, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires employers to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments.
This includes risks associated with lone working, such as workplace violence, medical emergencies, isolated locations and difficulties obtaining assistance.
The Health and Safety Executive provides guidance on training, supervision, monitoring and keeping in contact with lone workers.
Northern Ireland
The Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 places duties on employers to protect employees' health, safety and welfare, so far as is reasonably practicable.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 opens in a new tab require employers to assess workplace risks and take appropriate precautions.
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland provides guidance on lone working.
Republic of Ireland
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, employers must assess workplace risks and take appropriate steps to protect employees.
Section 19 requires risk assessments that take account of employees who may face particular risks.
The Health and Safety Authority advises that the assessment should establish whether a task can safely be carried out by someone working alone.
Employers should review lone working arrangements when circumstances change, incidents occur or existing precautions may no longer be suitable.
Personal safety devices can help, but they do not replace risk assessments, training, supervision or emergency procedures.
How to Use This Guidance
The guides below explain practical ways to manage lone working risks.
Some resources discuss personal safety devices and services offered by external suppliers. Information about individual products should be checked directly with the provider before making a purchasing decision.
Safety Solutions Training Ltd is an independent training provider. We do not sell lone worker devices or recommend one supplier over another.
Personal Safety Devices Are Only Part of the Solution
Personal safety devices, mobile applications and monitored alarms can help staff raise concerns or call for assistance.
However, simply issuing a device does not mean employees are adequately protected.
Staff must understand when and how to use their equipment, including emergency alarms and support features such as 'Stay With Me' where available.
Managers must also ensure that check-in arrangements, emergency contacts and response procedures are clear, regularly tested and understood.
If someone raises an alarm or misses a scheduled check-in, the organisation needs to know who will respond and what happens next.
Questions Every Manager Should Ask
- Which employees work alone, including those working outside normal hours?
- Have we assessed whether each task can safely be carried out by one person?
- Do staff have access to relevant risk information before starting work?
- Are there clear procedures for home visits, dangerous dogs, aggressive behaviour and unexpected situations?
- Does someone know where lone workers are, what they are doing and when they are expected to finish?
- Do staff understand how to use their safety devices, alarms and check-in arrangements?
- Who responds when a worker raises an alarm or fails to make contact?
- Do employees know when to stop work, withdraw or seek assistance?
- Are incidents, missed check-ins and false alarms reviewed so improvements can be made?
- Are managers regularly checking whether the safety arrangements are working?
Explore Our Lone Worker Guidance
These guides cover the practical arrangements needed to protect employees who work alone, from choosing suitable equipment to training staff and reviewing incidents.
- Personal Safety Device Implementation Guide
Practical guidance on choosing, introducing and managing lone worker safety devices, including training, monitoring and ongoing review.
- Lone Worker Device Suppliers
Information about different suppliers and the types of personal safety devices, applications and monitoring services they offer.
- Lone Worker Glossary
Clear explanations of common terms used in personal safety devices, monitoring, alarms and incident reporting.
- Choosing a Lone Worker Safety Device
Questions to consider before purchasing a device or app, including staff needs, network coverage, monitoring and emergency response.
- Monitoring and Escalation
Understand how lone worker alarms and missed check-ins are handled, including internal, external and combined monitoring arrangements.
- Connectivity and Reliability
Guidance on mobile signal, roaming, Wi-Fi and other issues that may affect communication or alarm activation.
- Incident Evidence and Reporting
How device records, incident notes and other information can help organisations understand what happened and improve safety arrangements.
- Manager Implementation Toolkit
Practical steps for introducing lone worker safety arrangements, supporting staff and checking that procedures remain effective.
- Staff Device Readiness
Daily checks, device testing and practical guidance to help employees use their personal safety equipment confidently.
- Lone Working Across Different Sectors
Guidance for housing, healthcare, councils, charities, utilities, education and security organisations.
- Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about lone working, devices, monitoring, responsibilities and emergency procedures.
- Downloadable Resources
Practical checklists and templates to help organisations review their lone worker safety arrangements.
Lone Worker Personal Safety Training
Safety procedures are important, but staff also need to understand how to use them in practice.
Our Lone Worker Personal Safety training helps employees recognise risks, prepare for visits, use safety devices, maintain communication and know when to withdraw or seek assistance.
Courses are tailored to your organisation's working environment and existing safety procedures.
Discuss Your Training Needs
Tell us about your staff, their working arrangements and any particular safety concerns.
We can explain the training options and provide a quotation.
Official sources used for this page
Legal sources on this page checked 4 November 2026. This page is general workplace safety guidance, not individual legal advice. Next review when Health and Safety Executive, HSENI or Health and Safety Authority guidance changes.
