It used to be common practice for people to work alone in industries like healthcare, construction, and even real estate. Most didn’t realise that the rules changed when it came to working alone. As a result, their employers didn’t consider the safety implications.
It was normal for lone workers to carry out tasks without direct supervision. No one thought about the fact these lone workers often faced hidden risks. The same tasks can carry different risks when they are being performed in remote areas. Or, even when employees are working after hours, or isolated on large sites.
But over time, businesses have realised that working alone without a safety plan was too risky. It was a failure of their duty of care. The truth is simple; everyone wants to see their team get home safely at the end of each day.
Because of that, organisations started building strong lone worker safety procedures. They focused on PPE, clear communication, and emergency response plans.
Now, lone workers have gained the tools and confidence to be safe. Solutions like the WSG app give businesses a way to let their lone workers know: you’ll never work alone.
Today, keeping lone workers safe is more than a duty. It’s a commitment to every person working alone, in remote places, or in isolation.
Here’s how your organisation can protect your teams’ lone workers.
So how do you define a lone worker? A lone worker is someone who does their job without direct supervision access to immediate help. It’s a relatively simple thing to identify when you break it down. Lone work happens when employees work remotely, outside normal hours, or in isolated areas.
Safe Work Australia highlights the risks when workers are cut off from support. (Remote or Isolated Work — Safe Work Australia)
Understanding these risks is the first step to a safer workplace.
Key Elements of a Lone Worker Safety Procedure
Most people are familiar with the concept of PPE, it’s common across many workplaces. When we hear PPE we often think of things like safety glasses, gloves, masks, hard hats, or first aid kits. But for lone workers, digital tools like the WorkSafe Guardian app can also be considered PPE. It is specialised personal protective equipment designed to keep them safe.
Before any lone working task, conduct a risk assessment. Identify hazards early to prevent incidents.
For a step-by-step guide, see: Identifying Risks for Lone Workers: 5 Steps.
It might be a cliché, but it’s also true, in an emergency, seconds count. Lone workers need reliable ways to call for help. This can be a phone, a duress button, or a lone worker app like WorkSafe Guardian. Lone worker safety apps often combine a check-in system, duress button, medical alerts, and more. Giving you the most complete lone worker safety solution.
A good emergency plan should:
Preparation saves time when it matters most.
After-hours work brings extra risks. Many organisations use 24/7 response centres. These centres manage check-ins, duress alerts, and medical emergencies so lone workers can get help any time. This not only makes sure your team stays safe, it reduces the mental load on managers who are off duty.
Under Australian law, employers must manage lone worker risks. This includes following the Model Work Health and Safety Act.
WorkSafe Guardian helps organisations meet legal duties and protect their people. Learn more: Understanding Lone Worker Legislation in Australia.
A lone worker procedure isn’t just a policy. It’s a real commitment to the safety of your team.
The WSG app makes it simple. With welfare check-ins, safety and medical alerts, and geo-fence notifications, workers are connected around the clock.
With WorkSafe Guardian, you’ll never work alone.
In this blog, we explore practical strategies to prevent workplace violence and enhance the safety of lone workers. We discuss the importance of clear policies, effective training, transparent reporting procedures, enhanced security measures, and workplace safety culture.
The buddy system works by pairing employees together, providing mutual support and safety. This partnership can prove valuable, particularly during high-risk tasks or shifts. The buddy has proven its worth over decades. However, is it the most efficient and effective way to ensure employee safety?
Safe Work Australia has recently introduced the 2023-2033 WHS Strategy with a dedicated goal of bolstering both workplace safety and overall health throughout the upcoming decade. Delve into discovering effective ways to cultivate a significantly safer and healthier work environment with WSG.
