Fiducia TogetherLone working
Staff working alone, and the duty to keep them safe.
Please note: This page explains what a term means. It is general information, not legal, financial, tax or investment advice, and it does not know anything about your business. Before you sign, file or commit to anything, check it with an accountant, a solicitor, or the official guidance we link to.
What it means
Lone working covers anyone working without close or direct supervision — home visits, deliveries, out-of-hours work, single-staffed premises.
Why it matters
There is no prohibition on lone working, but the risk assessment must consider it specifically, and in care, housing and field service it is a significant risk.
What it looks like in practice
Practical controls: check-in procedures, lone worker devices or apps, dynamic risk assessment before entering a property, and a defined escalation if somebody does not check in.
What to watch out for
A procedure with no monitoring. A check-in system nobody watches is worse than none, because it creates false assurance.
Where to get proper advice
The HSE's lone working guidance, free. The Suzy Lamplugh Trust for personal safety training.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains what a term means. It is general information, not legal, financial, tax or investment advice, and it does not know anything about your business. Before you sign, file or commit to anything, check it with an accountant, a solicitor, or the official guidance we link to.