Staying Safe When Working Alone
🚶 Staying Safe When Working Alone
Many jobs require people to work alone — from farmers and delivery drivers to cleaners, security staff, and remote technicians.
Working solo can be rewarding, but it also means extra risks when something goes wrong.
Here’s how to stay safe, plan ahead, and know what to do in an emergency.
🧭 Understand the Risks
When you work alone, there’s no one nearby to notice if you’re injured or unwell.
Risks vary by job, but often include:
Slips, trips, or falls
Sudden illness or injury with no immediate help
Accidents involving machinery or tools
Violence or aggression from others
Environmental hazards (heat, cold, remote areas, water, etc.)
Understanding these risks is the first step toward reducing them.
📋 Step One: Make a Lone Working Plan
Before starting any job where you’ll be alone:
Tell someone where you are.
Always share your location, expected finish time, and contact method.Check your mobile signal and make sure your phone is fully charged.
Set up a check-in system.
Regular calls or text updates can confirm you’re safe.Know your exact location.
Use apps like what3words or GPS coordinates for quick reference in emergencies.Plan for worst-case scenarios.
What would you do if you were injured, stranded, or your phone failed?
🧰 Step Two: Carry the Right Equipment
Always take:
A fully stocked first aid kit
Torch or headlamp
Emergency whistle or alarm
Weather-appropriate clothing
Power bank or spare battery
Water and food for longer shifts
Any work-specific safety gear (PPE, gloves, helmets, hi-vis)
If working outdoors, consider a personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite communicator for remote areas.
🧠 Step Three: Know Basic First Aid
When you work alone, you are your own first responder.
Basic skills like treating bleeding, burns, recognising heart conditions or shock could save your life until help arrives.
👉 Consider completing our Lone Worker First Aid course to build confidence in managing injuries when alone.
📞 Step Four: Emergency Response
If something does happen:
Stay calm and assess the situation.
Make sure you’re out of immediate danger before calling for help.Call 999 or 112 as soon as possible.
Use your phone’s GPS or the what3words app to give your exact location.If you work in rural or remote areas, pre-plan your location references before you start the job.
Note field entrances, track names, gate numbers, or the nearest road junction where an ambulance could access the site.
Share these details with your check-in contact so they can direct emergency services if needed.
Follow the operator’s instructions carefully.
They may ask you to describe nearby landmarks or features to guide responders.Make yourself visible to rescuers.
Wear high-visibility clothing, use lights, or wave an arm to attract attention.If you can’t call for help, use alarms, whistles, or visible signals to draw attention.
If injured while waiting for help, keep warm, stay hydrated, and avoid unnecessary movement to conserve energy.
🧍 Step Five: After the Job
Check back in with your contact person.
Report any near-misses or safety concerns to your employer.
Review what went well and what needs improving next time.
🧡 Tips to Reduce Risk
Avoid working alone at night where possible.
Park in well-lit areas.
Trust your instincts — leave if a situation feels unsafe.
Keep emergency numbers on speed dial.
Refresh your first aid training regularly.
Learn Lone Worker Safety with DAC Education
Our Lone Worker Seriously Injured (LWSI) course and First Aid at Work programmes teach essential skills for anyone who works independently — helping you stay safe, compliant, and confident on the job.
👉 Book a Lone Worker Safety Course
(Delivered at our Suffolk HQ or on-site for groups of six or more.)
Disclaimer
This article provides general safety and first aid guidance. Always follow your organisation’s lone working policy and carry out proper risk assessments before starting work alone.