Is Your Construction Business Doing Enough to Protect Lone Workers?

The HSE’s updated lone working guidance demands immediate attention from construction employers. With lone working increasingly prevalent across construction sites, understanding your legal obligations isn’t optional—it’s essential. Non-compliance can result in prosecution, enforcement action, and irreparable reputational damage.

Who Are Construction’s Lone Workers?

Lone workers in construction extend beyond the obvious. They include site surveyors conducting inspections, maintenance technicians servicing equipment, security personnel patrolling sites overnight, plant operators in remote locations, and subcontractors working in isolated areas of large developments. Each faces unique vulnerabilities.

Key Risks Specific to Construction

Construction lone workers face amplified dangers. Physical hazards—falls from height, equipment accidents, structural collapses—become critical without immediate assistance. Violence and aggression risks exist both on-site and during travel. Communication challenges in basements, tunnels, or remote locations can prove fatal. The mental health impacts of prolonged isolation compound these risks, whilst emergency response delays can transform manageable incidents into tragedies.

Updated HSE Requirements

The revised guidance mandates comprehensive risk assessments for every lone working scenario. Employers must implement violence and aggression protocols, establish robust communication systems with regular check-ins and emergency contacts, and provide mental health support provisions. Training and supervision standards must be documented and maintained. These aren’t suggestions—they’re legal requirements under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Take Action Now

Your duty of care extends to every worker, particularly those working alone. Review your lone working policies immediately against the updated HSE guidance which is available to download on the BSG Hub alongside our lone worker risk assessment template.