Lone working policy template
Our Lone Working Policy Template promotes safety and sets guidelines for employees working alone, ensuring their well-being and minimising risks.
- 3 pages / 969 words.
- Last updated 03/02/2025.
- Designed for United Kingdom use.
- Suitable for use in other territories; check local laws first.
- Instantly download as Word / PDF / plain text, or send by email.
- Includes 12 months’ access, with all updates to this page provided free of charge and notified to you.
Lone working policy
1 Overview
1.1 This policy explains how [Company] will protect their staff as far as is reasonably practicable from the risks of lone working.
2 Scope
2.1 All workers of [Company].
2.2 This policy applies to all situations involving Lone Workers arising in connection with their duties and work activities.
3 Principles
3.1 Policy Statement
3.1.1 Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, every employer and employee has rights and responsibilities, to ensure the provision of a safe working environment supported by safe systems of working.
3.1.2 [Company] is committed to providing a safe working environment as far as reasonably practical that meets the needs of its staff and volunteers. Consideration shall therefore be given to the health and safety implications in respect of lone working.
3.1.3 While [Company] will endeavour to reduce any instances of Lone Working where practicable, working alone is not in itself against the law and it will often be safe to do so. The law requires employers to consider carefully, and then deal with any health and safety risks for people working alone.
3.2 Definition of Lone Working
3.2.1 Individuals are alone at work when they are on their own, they cannot be seen or heard by another worker, cannot expect a visit from another worker for some time and/or where assistance is not readily available when needed. Therefore, lone workers are those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision. This includes establishments where:
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Only one person works on the premises
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One person works separately from others
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One person works outside normal hours
3.3 Responsibilities
3.3.1 Line Managers
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Ensure that workers comply with this policy
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Ensure their workers work in a safe environment
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Ensure that workers do not suffer from undue stress as a consequence of
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A Lone Working Policy is a document that outlines how an organisation manages and mitigates the risks associated with employees working alone.
It sets out the responsibilities of both the employer and employees to ensure safety, compliance with legal requirements, and appropriate procedures in case of emergencies.
Send to appropriate internal recipients such as employees, workers, contractors etc. and request confirmation that is has been read and understood.
Issue during onboarding / after changes / planned refresher.
Compliance
Compliance
This Lone working policy template incorporates relevant UK laws and HR standards, including those listed below:
Although not a legal requirement, an effective policy can help to promote a strong safety culture among employees, keeping them safe and reducing the risk of legal issues.
Your lone working policy should be a document that is accessible and easy to understand.
Lone workers and their managers should be familiar with the document and its location.
Issue a copy to new employees who will work alone and to any contractors or temporary workers you use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I use this template in my small business?
Yes. The Lone working policy template is designed to be flexible and suitable for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses and charities. It follows UK employment law best practice, so even if you don't have an in-house HR team, you can confidently apply it.
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Is this template compliant with 2025 UK employment law?
Absolutely. All of our templates are drafted with the latest ACAS guidance and UK employment legislation in mind. We review and update them regularly, so you can be confident they remain compliant.
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Can I customise it for my organisation?
Yes, we highlight the areas that you need to update with your own details, and where you need to make decisions to suit your situation. This saves you time and ensures that you meet best practice.
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Do I get instant access?
Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable Word or Excel format so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.
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What if I need more help, not just this template?
If you're looking for broader support, we also offer toolkits and library bundles that include this template, along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.
