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Guide to lone working risk assessments
Protect your lone workers, 24/7, wherever they are.
Every 15 seconds, 151 people suffer a workplace accident and every year 321,000 people lose their lives at work, according to statistics taken from the International Labour Organisation. This seems inconceivable, particularly as most workplace accidents are preventable.
Conducting risk assessments is an integral part of adhering to health and safety legislation and meeting your duty of care to lone workers. Lone workers face a range of hazards and risks on a daily basis, that can differ from those based in a fixed or office environment.
Download our Guide to lone working risk assessments and put systems in place to support your employees.
What is a lone worker risk assessment?
A lone working risk assessment is a process of identifying and assessing risks associated with a job role carried out by a lone worker. When carrying out a risk assessment for lone working staff, you must consider hazards related to the work being carried out, the people they come into contact with and the different environments they travel and work in. The purpose of the assessment is to identify what needs to be done to control health and safety risks for your lone workers.
What is a dynamic risk assessment?
A dynamic risk assessment is the process of identifying risks in the current environment. Unlike a traditional risk assessment, which is done in advance, a dynamic risk assessment is the practise of mentally observing, assessing and analysing an environment ‘on the spot’. This is an important skill that enables employees to make decisions regarding their own safety in any situation and one you should consider providing additional training on.
How do I create a lone worker risk assessment?
Your lone working risk assessment should contain:
- The hazards identified
- Who might be harmed and how
- The procedures already in place to prevent harm and;
- What further action you will take to reduce risk
It is also useful to include on your written report who carried out the risk assessment, the date it was carried out, the date of any next steps and when the next review is due.
Are lone working risk assessments a legal requirement?
Lone working risk assessments are a basic legal requirement and should be carried out for all employees. If you employ five or more people, you are legally required to write down and keep a record of your risk assessment. It is often kept as part of your Lone Worker Policy.
Free Lone working risk assessment template and guide
To help you get started with writing your lone working risk assessment, we have created a comprehensive step by step guide, including a template document for you to use.
This guide covers:
Understand the 6 steps to a successful risk assessment
We'll explain the 6 critical steps to creating a successful lone worker risk assessment
Identify Hazards & how may be harmed
Recognise what the real hazards are and who may be impacted or harmed by them is key ensuring safety.
Evaluate Your Risk Assessments
Understand why correctly evaluating your risks, recording your findings and actions is important .
Understand the importance of Communication and Reviews
Making sure everyone knows the findings of yoru risk assessment is critical, as are on going reviews.
A Risk Assessment Template
We have included a lone worker risk assessment template to help get you started.
