Notes

Legal Requirements for Employers Regarding Lone Worker Safety
Lone workers can face various hazards depending on the industry and type of job they undertake, from healthcare workers who make home visits to construction workers who work alone in isolation. Environmental hazards, chemical exposure risks or workplace violence from clients or other employees could all compromise lone worker safety - making the duties of employers clear: to provide these employees with duty of care protection during their employment at risk.

Employers owe it to their lone workers to conduct risk analyses and train them in emergency procedures, as well as check in regularly with them, both to check-in on them and inform them about changes to safety protocols; in addition, employers must encourage open channels of communication so that any concerns about safety can be reported directly by workers themselves.

Fall detect While OSHA doesn't specifically regulate lone worker safety, all organizations are required to create an environment conducive to employee wellbeing in their working spaces. For companies with lone workers, this means conducting risk analyses, creating communication protocols and training staff on emergency responses as required - failure could incur severe fines as well as jeopardize employee wellbeing.

As part of their duty of care, employers should implement a written procedure designed to safeguard employees working alone. According to Washington State Labor and Industries recommendations, supervisors should visit or observe lone workers regularly at regular intervals and maintain contact via radio/phone throughout their shift or period of isolation; additionally an automatic alarm system should be in place so as to check in with them at the conclusion of each shift or task.

An effective procedure should include a checklist for employees to follow when working solo, with regular reviews to account for new hazards or changes to workplace procedures. Engaging lone workers in the creation and implementation process for such policies encourages them to share feedback on any areas that need improving.


All lone workers should receive adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hard hats, safety glasses and gloves and high-visibility clothing. Employers may also offer two-way communication tools like mobile apps or wearable panic buttons so lone workers can report emergencies more efficiently while keeping their employer up-to-date.

Employers may discover that certain lone workers pose a higher risk of physical or psychological injury, such as those aged over 75 or suffering from serious health conditions like stroke, heart attack or seizure. When this is the case, allowing these employees to continue working alone would not be acceptable; such workers should not be permitted to continue doing so.

My Website: https://www.loneworkeralarms.co.nz/fall-detection/