What counts as lone working
Lone working covers any situation where you work by yourself without close or direct supervision. This includes estate agents showing properties, social workers visiting families, healthcare staff seeing patients at home, delivery drivers, and contractors attending call outs.
Most people you meet will be straightforward to deal with. But working alone does carry some risks that are worth thinking about in advance. Maintaining disciplined communication and checking practices can strengthen your safety considerably.
Let someone know where you are
Before any appointment, record the name, address and phone number of the person you are meeting. Keep this information somewhere colleagues can access it, whether that is a shared diary, a booking system or a simple log sheet.
If you are self-employed or work outside a team structure, tell a friend or family member your plans. Give them the same details: who you are seeing, where, and roughly how long you expect to be. Self-employed workers should still carry out their own risk assessment rather than relying solely on informal arrangements.
The point is to avoid being the only person who knows your whereabouts. If something goes wrong or you do not check in as expected, someone else has enough information to raise the alarm or contact the right people.
Stay in contact
It is advisable to carry a charged mobile phone whenever you work alone. Check you have signal before going into a meeting, and keep the phone within reach throughout.
Agree a check in system with your workplace or a trusted contact. This might mean sending a quick text when you arrive and when you leave, calling in at set times during longer visits, or using a lone worker app that tracks your location or sends alerts if you do not respond.
Some employers provide dedicated lone worker devices with features like panic buttons or automatic alerts, though provision depends on specific risk assessments and budget constraints. If your employer offers these, use them. If not, a simple buddy system with a colleague can work effectively.
Think about what you would do if your phone battery died or you lost signal. Having a backup plan gives you options when technology fails.
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Trust your instincts and plan ahead
If something feels wrong before or during a visit, take it seriously. You can reschedule, suggest a different meeting location, or ask a colleague to come with you. There is no obligation to put yourself in an uncomfortable situation.
When visiting unfamiliar addresses, take note of the layout when you arrive. Know where the exits are. Park in a position that lets you leave quickly if needed, and consider keeping your keys accessible depending on the circumstances.
Meeting in a public place is sometimes an option, particularly for first appointments with new contacts. A cafe, library or community centre can feel more neutral and may put both parties at ease.
Lone working can also affect wellbeing over time. Feelings of isolation are common when you spend long periods without colleague contact, so building in regular communication helps on more than just a safety level.
Employer responsibilities
If you work for an organisation, your employer has a legal duty to assess the risks of lone working and put reasonable measures in place. This falls under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 being particularly relevant to risk assessment for lone workers.
Good employers will have a lone working policy, provide training, ensure you have the right equipment, and establish systems for workers to report back or check in regularly. If you feel your workplace is not taking lone working risks seriously, you can raise concerns with your manager, health and safety representative, or trade union.
The Health and Safety Executive website has guidance on lone working duties for employers and employees.
Taking practical steps does not mean expecting the worst. It simply means being prepared, so you can get on with your work with less to worry about.
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