Lone working

We are receiving queries about lone working, particularly for those contracted as a self employed/free lance worker.

As an employer, you must manage any health and safety risks before people can work alone. This applies to anyone contracted to work for you, including self-employed/ free lance workers. 

Lone workers are those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision. How you contact/stay in touch with the Lone worker is important, mobile phones may not have signal; if the Lone worker needs emergency contact they may be unable to use the mobile phone; mobile phone use should be avoided when driving. 

There will always be greater risks for lone workers without direct supervision or anyone to help them if things go wrong, this may be injury or ill health. Many of them are exposed to work-related road risks.

As an employer, you must manage health and safety risks to workers who drive a vehicle (or ride a motorcycle, other powered two-wheeler or bicycle) on the road as part of a work activity. Health and safety law applies to work activities on the road in the same way as it does on a fixed site.

Driving for work is one of the most dangerous things workers will do. This applies to employees and anyone engaged to work for you

The law applies to both company and grey fleet vehicles. A grey fleet vehicle is owned and driven by a worker for business purposes. Vehicles used under cash allowance schemes are grey fleet too.

Commuting to work is not generally classified as driving for work, except where someone's journey starts from their home and they are travelling to a work location that is not their normal place of work. Health and safety law does not apply to commuting.

You have the same health and safety responsibilities for homeworkers and the same liability for accident or injury as for any other workers.

FISA 802 Emergency Planning guidance is vital to ensure that those out on site have the key information they require for emergency contact.  Please ensure you print, complete (laminate in wet weather) and use this guide! 

Related advice:

FISA provided a response in 2021 to a query with a summary of related guidance - see below; as well as sharing this HSE update.