Lone working occurs when employees work by themselves without close or direct supervision. This may happen regularly for some roles or occasionally in certain situations, such as working outside normal hours, travelling for work, or carrying out tasks in isolated areas.

Working alone can increase certain risks because help may not be immediately available if something goes wrong. These risks may include accidents, health emergencies, environmental hazards, or personal safety concerns.

Employers have a responsibility to assess risks and put appropriate safety measures in place. Employees also play an important role in following safety procedures, maintaining communication, and recognising potential risks.

Understanding how to work safely when alone helps reduce risk and ensures that employees know how to respond appropriately if a situation arises.

This course introduces the SAFE framework, which provides a practical approach to recognising risks and maintaining safety when working alone.