Lone Worker Policy Template for UK Businesses
If any of your employees work alone — including mobile workers, remote staff, or anyone outside normal hours — the HSE requires you to assess and manage the risks. A written lone worker policy is how you document your compliance.
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What is a lone worker policy?
A lone worker policy sets out how your business identifies, assesses, and manages the risks associated with employees who work without close supervision. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 place a duty on employers to assess and control these risks.
Lone workers are more vulnerable than those working alongside colleagues. If something goes wrong — an accident, a medical emergency, or a threatening situation — there may be no one to help. The HSE expects employers with lone workers to have documented procedures in place.
What your lone worker policy should cover
- A definition of lone working as it applies to your business
- A risk assessment covering the specific hazards lone workers face
- Check-in and check-out procedures
- Emergency communication arrangements (who to contact and how)
- Any prohibited lone working activities where risks are unacceptably high
- Training requirements for lone workers and their managers
- Equipment provided to lone workers (personal alarms, lone worker devices, etc.)
- Incident reporting procedures
- Mental health and wellbeing considerations for isolated workers