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 risk assessment is
A lone working risk assessment considers the extra risks that arise when someone works alone — without others nearby to help in an emergency — across tasks such as field visits, out-of-hours work, remote sites and home visits, and records how those risks are managed.
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 what their lone working assessment must cover.
Purpose
- Identify who works alone and the situations involved.
- Consider risks made worse by being alone, including emergencies and violence.
- Record communication, check-in and escalation arrangements.
- Decide whether some tasks should not be done alone at all.
Who completes it
- A competent person appointed by the employer.
- With input from those who work alone and understand the situations.
- Reviewed within the organisation’s own process.
- It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the assessor is competent.
When it is used
- Where people work alone, off-site or out of hours.
- When the role, location or working pattern changes.
- After an incident affecting a lone worker.
- On a review cycle defined by the employer.
Typical fields
- Role or task, who works alone and where.
- Risks made worse by working alone, including violence and medical events.
- Communication, check-in and lone-worker device arrangements.
- Escalation and emergency response.
- Any tasks that must not be done alone, and review date.
- Example fields only — adapt to the role and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Assuming lone working carries no extra risk.
- No reliable way to raise the alarm or check the person is safe.
- Allowing high-risk tasks to be done alone that should not be.
- Never reviewing it after a change or an incident.
Document workflow
A lone working risk assessment sits within the wider risk assessment and informs the safe system of work, check-in procedures, dynamic risk assessment in the field and any device provision. Findings feed training; a change or incident triggers a review.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used with a lone working risk assessment.
Retention (high level)
Lone working assessments are generally kept for as long as they are relevant and for a period afterwards, in line with the employer’s obligations and data-protection duties. Specific retention periods vary by jurisdiction.
This page does not state a required period — confirm retention with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Lone working assessments are commonly completed and stored as PDFs alongside the risk assessment and procedures. Exporting to PDF supports documentation; it does not make the assessment official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Identify all lone working situations across the organisation.
- Provide reliable communication, check-in and escalation.
- Decide which tasks must not be done alone.
- Train lone workers and review after changes or incidents.
Worker notes
- Follow check-in and communication arrangements when working alone.
- Use any lone-worker device provided.
- Report situations that feel unsafe and never take on prohibited tasks alone.
Country considerations
Expectations around lone working and personal safety vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is high-level and general — it is not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee that a document is valid anywhere.
Always confirm the current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for assessing and managing the risks of lone working and compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not determine what your assessment must contain, does not make a workplace compliant 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.
Free, printable HR & employment resources
Practical, ungated resources to put this into action — no signup.