An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.
What a lone working permit is
A lone working permit is a controlled authorisation for a person to carry out a defined task without others present, confirming that the work is suitable to be done alone, a check-in or monitoring arrangement is in place, and a way to raise the alarm exists. It addresses the extra risk that arises when no one is on hand to help.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides which lone work needs a permit and what it must record.
Purpose
- Authorise a defined task to be done alone only where it is suitable.
- Confirm a check-in, monitoring or escalation arrangement.
- Identify tasks that should never be done alone.
- Record who was working alone, where and for how long.
Who completes it
- An authorised issuer who knows the task and its risks.
- The lone worker, who accepts the conditions and check-in plan.
- A nominated contact monitors and responds.
- The employer decides which tasks are suitable for lone work.
When it is used
- Before a task is carried out by someone working alone.
- When isolation increases the risk if something goes wrong.
- For a stated period, with an agreed check-in schedule.
- Whenever the employer’s system designates lone work as permit-controlled.
Typical fields
- Permit number, task, location and validity period.
- Confirmation the task is suitable to be done alone.
- Check-in schedule, monitoring method and nominated contact.
- How to raise the alarm and the escalation plan.
- Issuer and acceptor signatures, and completion confirmation.
- Example fields only — adapt to the task and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Allowing high-risk work that should never be done alone.
- No agreed check-in, so no one notices if the worker is in trouble.
- No reliable way to raise the alarm in the work location.
- Not confirming the worker is safe at the end of the task.
Document workflow
A lone working permit is typically raised under the permit to work system after a risk assessment, and may sit alongside other permits where the task itself is high-risk — though some high-risk activities should not be done alone at all. A check-in record supports it.
See the related documents below for what is commonly required before, used with and completed after a lone working permit.
Retention (high level)
Completed lone working permits are usually kept for a period afterwards as a record of how the risk was controlled, in line with the employer’s obligations and data-protection duties. This page does not state a period — confirm with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Lone working permits are commonly completed, signed and stored as PDFs alongside check-in records. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make the permit official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Identify tasks that should never be carried out alone.
- Provide a workable check-in, monitoring and alarm arrangement.
- Make sure the nominated contact knows their role.
- Keep completed permits as records and review after any incident.
Worker notes
- Do not work alone on a permit-controlled task without a valid permit.
- Keep to the check-in schedule and confirm when you finish.
- Stop and raise the alarm if conditions change or you feel unwell.
Country considerations
Rules and expectations on lone working vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee of validity.
Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for assessing whether work can be done alone and for the monitoring arrangements, and for compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not authorise any lone work and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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