The essential guide to lone worker risks across ten high-risk sectors
Lone workers have critical roles across all types of industries, operating without immediate support from colleagues or supervisors. This working style, while necessary, comes with unique safety challenges. To address the question of how lone workers are at risk in the workplace, let’s first look at the most common types of dangers faced by lone workers, then examine the top ten sectors where lone working is prevalent, each with its distinct risks.
Types of risks lone workers face
- Violence and aggression: Lone workers interacting with the public or entering unknown environments are vulnerable to threats, aggression, or assault. The risk is particularly high in roles involving money handling, high-value assets, or sensitive social services.
- Environmental hazards: Physical environments pose various risks for lone workers, especially when they’re in remote, high-risk or outdoor locations. The lack of nearby assistance means a minor incident like a fall or machinery malfunction can escalate quickly.
- Medical emergencies: Lone workers with health conditions or those in physically demanding roles may be at higher risk of sudden medical incidents. Without a colleague’s immediate support, a lone worker’s response options can be limited, turning a minor health scare into a serious incident.
Let’s explore how these risks impact the top ten sectors for lone working.
Top ten sectors for lone workers and their unique risks
- Healthcare and social work: Community nurses, social workers and home care providers often visit clients independently. Risks here include violent or aggressive clients and the potential for medical emergencies with no immediate backup. Health and social care workers need effective communication channels to ensure support is available in critical situations.
2. Retail: Many retail employees, especially those in convenience stores, petrol stations or small shops, work alone during certain shifts. They face significant risk of aggression or robbery, particularly when working with cash or handling high-value goods. Lone worker safety devices can be essential for their protection.
3. Utilities and field services: Utility workers, engineers and maintenance technicians frequently work alone on sites or in clients’ homes, where they face risks from hazardous equipment, electrical work or environmental challenges. In remote areas, lack of immediate assistance makes fall detection and emergency alerts critical.
4. Construction and maintenance: Contractors, inspectors and maintenance staff often complete tasks in isolated or hazardous locations. These environments pose risks, such as slips, falls and injuries from heavy equipment. In this sector, quick access to emergency help is essential for reducing the consequences of accidents.
5. Logistics and delivery: Truck drivers, couriers, and delivery personnel work long hours alone, often in unfamiliar locations. Their risks include vehicle breakdowns, road accidents, and potential assault, especially when delivering high-value goods. Lone worker safety systems can provide essential location tracking and emergency response features.
6. Real estate and property management: Real estate agents and property managers frequently show properties or conduct site inspections alone. Risks in this sector range from accidents on unfamiliar properties to physical threats from unknown individuals, making check-in features and alert systems valuable safety measures.
7. Agriculture and forestry: Farmers and forestry workers commonly work alone on expansive rural properties, where they encounter environmental risks, such as heavy machinery accidents or animal-related injuries. In these isolated areas, emergency alert devices are essential to ensure quick response times in case of incidents.
8. Manufacturing and warehousing: Factory workers and warehouse staff working solo shifts or in isolated parts of large facilities may face physical injury risks from heavy machinery or hazardous materials. Remote monitoring and fall detection can make a significant difference in ensuring their safety.
9. Public transport: Train and bus operators, taxi drivers and other public transport workers often work alone, particularly during late or early shifts. Risks include assault from passengers or being stranded in remote areas. Providing safety solutions can give transport workers reassurance and a reliable way to summon help.
10. Hospitality: Hotel receptionists, bar staff and cleaners may work night shifts alone, making them vulnerable to aggressive behaviour from customers. This sector benefits greatly from lone worker solutions that offer discreet alert systems to call for backup or assistance if needed.
Why invest in lone worker solutions?
For organisations employing lone workers, supporting these employees is both an ethical responsibility and a sound business strategy. Investing in lone worker safety solutions offers peace of mind to employees and empowers them to work more confidently, knowing help is only a button away.
Modern lone worker solutions – like discreet wearable devices or smartphone apps – provide features such as proactive welfare checks, emergency alerts, and fall detection. These solutions ensure that, should an incident occur, the lone worker’s location and situation are quickly communicated to support staff, minimising risk and reinforcing a culture of safety.
At Pick Protection, we understand that protecting your team’s wellbeing is a priority. By implementing lone worker safety solutions, you demonstrate a commitment to each worker’s safety, building a secure, resilient environment for employees to thrive.