Lone workers are those who work by themselves without direct supervision. This can include contractors, inspectors, maintenance workers and others who may report back to a supervisor but perform their work in the field alone. While this arrangement is cost effective and often necessary, it is important to make your workers’ safety your number one priority.

Lone workers can be subject to hazards such as accidents, environmental dangers and external threats. Without a supervisor or team member nearby, workers may find themselves facing these challenges alone. This is why you need to adequately prepare for the needs of your employees when they are working alone.

Does my employee classify as a lone worker?

There are a number of reasons your employee may be considered a lone worker. Some of them may include:

1. Working away from the public — Workers who perform jobs away from the public can be considered lone workers, such as doing checks or repairs in remote locations, working in a confined space, or otherwise separated from other people. 

2. Working away from the office — Some employees leave an office environment to interact with the public. Social workers, salespeople, and home care providers fall under this category. They can be subject to risks when meeting new clients, or while traveling to and from the office.

3. Traveling while working — Workers who travel by themselves can be at risk of accidents or other travel hazards. Employees on business trips and truck drivers are subject to these risks.

4. Working without a supervisor — Employees who are at a work site without supervision are considered to be working alone. This could be an employee inspecting construction work after hours, or a clerk working alone at a gas station.

How can I make sure my workers are safe on the job?

Ensuring the safety of your employees should be your number one priority as an employer. Training your lone workers on workplace health and safety practices is a good first step toward mitigating the risks that come with working alone.

Basin Safety wants to be your trusted company for workplace health and safety training. Not only do we offer the services of our trained specialists in the field, but we also offer a number of health and safety programs designed to keep your workplace compliant. 

All our programs are compliant with OSHA standards and industry standards, and include:

• Hand and power tool safety.

• Driver safety and motor vehicle policy.

• Personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Risk assessment.

• First aid training.

Contact us at Basin Safety today for more information on our services.