Working alone - HSE Health and safety guidance on the risks

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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently updated its guidance leaflet on working alone safely. The free publication provides advice and guidance on how to keep lone workers healthy and safe. It is aimed at any organisation who employs or engages lone workers and may also help self-employed workers who work alone themselves.

The advice and guidance in the leaflet is designed to help duty holders decide what they need to do to comply with their legal duties towards lone workers under:

* The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974; and
* The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) explain in the guidance that Working alone is not in itself against the law, and it will often be safe to do so. However, the law requires employers to think about and deal with any health and safety risks before people should be allowed to work alone.

Employers have responsibility for the health, safety and welfare at work of all of their employees. They are also responsible for the health and safety of those affected by work activities, for example any self-employed people they engage and visitors such as contractors.

These responsibilities cannot be transferred to any other person, including those people who work alone. It is the employer’s duty to assess risks to lone workers and take steps to avoid or control risks where necessary.
Employees have responsibilities to take reasonable care of themselves and other people affected by their work activities and to co-operate with their employers in meeting their legal obligations.

A copy of the new guidance leaflet INDG73(rev2) 09/09 Published by the Health and Safety Executive is attached for your information.

Yours Sincerely



Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

indg73.pdf