Lone Worker Protection

All employers have long had responsibilities for the health and safety of their employees.

However, now the laws have been tightened further, managers of organisations must demonstrate a relevant duty of care and protection to employees or persons performing services for them.

Failure to comply with legislation can result in heavy fines and in some cases imprisonment.

This duty of care extends to employees who are field based , on the road, work in the community, conduct home visits and employees who work outside normal office hours. Field based employees who work alone are often referred to as “Lone Workers” and it is estimated that there are over 4 million workers in the UK (ONS). No doubt you have “Lone Workers” too.

In order to comply with Duty of Care legislation, employers have utilised a number of business tools to ensure their workforce is protected within these guidelines. This has included the ability to monitor and review working practices and procedures.

Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007

Employers have a corporate responsibility of the health and safety of their employees. However, now the law has been tightened and owners / directors of organisations more than ever before owe a relevant Duty of Care to employees or persons performing services for it.

Where a corporate culture exists that allows dangerous practices to go unchallenged and an accident or death results, organisations and the managements may now find themselves liable.