Lone working is a common practice across numerous sectors in the United Kingdom. From healthcare professionals conducting home visits to delivery drivers and night-shift employees in retail, lone workers operate in environments where the risks they face often go unnoticed. In this article, we take a comprehensive look at the risks, statistics, legal obligations, and technological solutions that enhance lone worker safety in the UK.
Understanding Lone Working and Its Risks
A lone worker is defined as someone who works by themselves without close or direct supervision. This situation can arise in diverse industries, such as healthcare, social services, security, logistics, construction, the postal service, and retail. The risks these individuals face vary widely, from exposure to hazardous conditions and physical injuries to aggression, violence, and health emergencies.
The main risks of working alone include:
- Physical hazards: Lone workers in construction or maintenance may work with dangerous machinery or encounter hazardous environments where immediate assistance isn’t available if an emergency arises.
- Workplace violence: Social workers, healthcare professionals, and retail employees are particularly vulnerable to aggression or violence from clients, patients, or customers.
- Health emergencies: Lone workers with medical conditions may find themselves unable to access help during a health crisis such as a severe allergic reaction or heart attack.
- Psychological risks: isolation, stress, and anxiety can have significant mental health consequences for individuals who work alone regularly.
Lone Worker Safety in the UK: Alarming Statistics
The following statistics highlight the risks of working alone and the importance of lone worker safety in the UK:
- Approximately 8 million people, or nearly 25% of the workforce in the UK, are classified as lone workers.
- At least 150 lone workers are verbally or physically attacked every day in the UK.
- 55% of lone workers think their employers do not take lone worker safety seriously enough.
- 33% of individuals who work alone think their employers prioritise deadlines, financial targets, and other factors over lone worker safety.
- Only approximately 36% of lone workers have told their employers when they felt unsafe at work.
Real-Life Examples of Lone Worker Incidents
These two examples highlight the risks of working alone in the UK:
Middlesbrough delivery driver attacked and robbed: In April 2024, a Middlesbrough supermarket delivery driver was attacked by two men who punched him, pulled him to the ground, and kicked and punched him again before stealing two crates of lager.
Boscombe shop assistant attacked: In September 2024, a shop assistant in Boscombe was punched in the face and neck repeatedly by an aggressive customer who also shouted racial abuse at him, kicked the till, and threw items off clothes railings. This and the above case emphasise the need for lone worker protection solutions for delivery drivers and shop assistants, such real-time monitoring and communication systems designed for lone worker safety in the UK.
Legal Obligations for Employers in the UK
Employers in the UK have a legal duty of care to ensure the safety, health, and wellbeing of their employees, including lone workers. The relevant legislation governing lone worker safety in the UK includes:
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974: According to this act, employers are duty-bound to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of their employees.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999: These regulations require employers to assess the risks faced by their workers, including the risks of working alone, and to implement lone worker protection solutions to mitigate these risks.
Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007: According to this legislation, employers can face legal action if their negligence leads to the death of an employee, including lone workers.
Employers’ legal obligations are clear: they must conduct thorough risk assessments for lone workers, implement training programs, and provide adequate safety equipment to meet these legal requirements.
Lone Worker Protection Solutions
Advanced safety technology and proactive strategies can enhance the protection, safety, and wellbeing of your employees who work alone. Let’s explore essential lone worker protection solutions:
Lone Worker Apps
Mobile apps designed for solitary worker safety, such as Crystal Ball’s Lone Worker Protection App, offer a range of functionalities to provide a seamless safety network. Among these are GPS location tracking, routine welfare checks, automated alarms and alerts, manual and automated panic alarms, email and SMS notifications, Near Field Communications (NFC) functionality, and an open audio facility.
Personal Alarms and Safety Devices
Personal alarms have become an essential tool to help individuals who face the risks of working alone. These devices allow lone workers to alert managers, colleagues, or emergency services when they need immediate assistance, feel threatened, or are faced with another emergency. Some devices have features such as GPS tracking, fall detection, and two-way communication, ensuring that help can be sent quickly.
GPS Tracking Systems
GPS tracking technology can provide you with real-time updates on your lone workers’ locations. This is particularly valuable for maintenance workers, social workers, and delivery drivers who travel to various places. GPS trackers enable rapid response in emergencies.
Wearable Technology
Bodycams, smartwatches, and other wearable technologies offer additional layers of security. For example, a trial at Rotherham Hospital in 2024 found that bodycams often successfully deter aggressive behaviour.
Training and Awareness
While advanced lone worker protection solutions are vital, training plays an equally important role in ensuring the safety of employees who work alone. Provide comprehensive training programs that cover risk awareness, de-escalation techniques, and the use of safety and first aid equipment.
Protect Your Lone Workers with Crystal Ball
Lone workers play an indispensable role in the UK’s economy and society, yet their safety often takes a backseat. Alarming statistics and real-life incidents are stark reminders of the importance of lone worker safety in the UK. Employers must comply with legal obligations, adopt innovative safety technologies, and foster a culture of safety and vigilance.
Contact us to find out how you can protect your solitary workers with Crystal Ball’s Lone Worker Protection App. Give them the reassurance of a lifeline when they need it most.