Keeping Lone Workers Safe at Night

Whilst it is not advisable for workers to be alone at night, sometimes it can be a genuine business need. 

Here, we look at the risks involved and what can you do as an employer to protect those workers who cannot avoid lone working at night?

What Can Go Wrong?

• Manual handling – risk of upper limb or back injury when carrying equipment alone
• Personal security – becoming a target of opportunistic personal attack or theft
• Isolation – not having someone to summon help in event of accident / ill-health.

Night Work

Some industries may allow staff to work alone on night shifts, depending on the nature of the work and associated risks. These industries could include: 

• Security – Security guards and night watchmen may work alone at night, monitoring premises and controlling access,
• Retail – 24-hour convenience stores, petrol stations or retail outlets stocking shelves and maintaining store operations,
• Manufacturing – Individual staff members working alone to oversee 24 hour production 
• Transportation – HGV drivers, delivery services or public transport, working solitary night shifts to transport goods or passengers during off-peak hours. 

Control Measures

Employers must assess the risks of the work and location, and assess the competence, experience and capabilities of the individual to manage and mitigate these risks

The Employer must be satisfied that the job is suitable for lone working before it starts. Some situations will not be suitable, especially where the risks identified cannot be adequately controlled. 

Plan transport. Driving in remote places alone is rarely a good idea – accidents and even simple breakdowns can leave a lone worker in a vulnerable situation where they are less able to respond should things go wrong (even changing a tyre can be difficult). If unavoidable, the route should be well planned and stuck to, any changes to the route must be discussed. 

Ensure there are arrangements in place to keep in contact with base e.g. a mobile phone, radio or a check-in procedure when the person is working away from base at third party premises / home / remote locations.

The Law

There is no official law on working alone at night. However, under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, it is your responsibility as an employer to consider all the risks to your employees health and safety. This includes working alone at night.

The Impact of Night Work 

Shift work (especially nightshifts) can disrupt our daily cycle of activities and body clock. Humans can usually adapt to temporary changes, but after a while a build-up of lost sleep causes fatigue which can affect our performance of day to day tasks

The hormone, melatonin, is produced early in the evening. It regulates sleep and can cause drowsiness, meaning staff may be less alert during late afternoon and evening hours. Reduced alertness can lead to mistakes, increased accidents and poor decision making.

Personal Safety and Crime

Research shows that the darker nights can also lead to heightened feelings of insecurity and fear. For those working alone, personal safety becomes a top concern, particularly for women, who report experiencing higher levels of harassment and aggression.

Lone Working at Night

Working alone at night doesn’t necessarily heighten the chances of an incident occurring. However, what it does do is slow down the response should something happen. Therefore, ensure you assess the risks involved and implement strong control measures, such as lone worker alarms or panic buttons to give staff the sense of security.

If you do have lone workers on night shift it is critical that you have good avenues of two-way communications. Have a process in place for regular checks with staff to ensure that they are remaining safe and free from harm.

The check-in procedure should cover:

• Appropriate and effective means of communication and means of raising the alarm e.g. will there be a mobile signal?
• Knowledge of where people are, their routes and what time they are expected to be back
• How will contact be maintained and how will the alarm be raised if they get into trouble
• A plan of action if the lone worker fails to check-in
• Check-in procedures should be known to all relevant people and regularly reviewed
• Procedures/contacts should work in case of emergencies and “out of hours”.

Risk Assessment 

There is no legal requirement to conduct a specific, separate risk assessment for lone workers. However, you have a duty to include risks to lone workers in your general risk assessment and take steps to avoid or control risks where necessary. This must include: 

• Involving workers when considering potential risks and measures to control them
• Taking steps to ensure risks are removed where possible, or putting in place control measures
• Instruction, training and supervision
• Reviewing risk assessments periodically and updating them after any significant changes, such as new staff, processes or equipment
• When the lone worker is working at another employer’s workplace, consulting with that employer to identify any risks and required control measures.

If you require any help or advice regarding Lone Working, please contact Spectra where one of our experienced Consultants can help.