A Lone Worker Policy Guide: Create a Safety Policy for Your Lone Workers in Your Organization
Table of Contents
Do your people understand the risks of working alone?
Why lone worker awareness matters across your organization
Understanding lone worker risks: what every employer should know
How to create an effective lone worker policy template
Why your company needs a lone worker policy
Key questions to evaluate lone worker risk levels
Download our Lone Worker Policy Guide and Template
Complying with lone worker legislation
Need help creating your lone worker policy?
Get in touch with us today to schedule a consultation for your lone worker solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do your people understand the risks of working alone?
It is no secret that lone workers are faced with infinitely more risks than many other workers within a company. Or is it? Lone workers face unique safety challenges because of their isolated work environments and circumstances. But not everyone knows about them. Creating a comprehensive lone worker safety policy helps reduce workplace accidents, ensures compliance with local and federal occupational health and safety regulations, and promotes a culture of safety across your organization.
Why lone worker awareness matters across your organization
Organizations that employ lone workers must provide those workers with the necessary knowledge and tools to work safely – but also educate the organization about these dangerous risks of working alone. A lone worker policy is an effective strategy that ensures your lone workers and their coworkers are regularly educated and updated on your company’s work-alone policies and protocols, maintaining required knowledge of all workplace hazards that could be encountered on the job. It’s a useful resource that ensures employers and employees are aware of the risks involved with lone work. A thorough lone worker policy will play a key role in ensuring the safety of all your people, regardless of their location or work activity.
Understanding lone worker risks: what every employer should know
The health and safety of your people are of the utmost importance. A lone worker policy is your company’s most reliable tactic for protecting its workers’ health and safety. Not only does it provide your workforce with the resources needed to work safely, but it will also prepare and educate your employees on emergency response procedures. A lone worker policy will also enable lone workers to make more informed decisions and take ownership of their safety at work.
How to create an effective lone worker policy template
For your lone worker policy to be effective, it must contain several important elements, including:
Protocols must be crystal-clear and easy to follow. Everyone in the organization should be able to read and understand them.
An outlined policy purpose statement to define why you have chosen to create this lone worker policy, how this policy will be a benefit to all members of your organization, and how the policy fits in with your company’s values and goals.
The scope of your policy. All company employees must know to whom the lone worker policy applies. Your policy should concern all staff who work alone – whether they are lone workers every day, every other day, or once per month.
The hazards and risks your lone workers are facing. This hazard assessment document must be exhaustive and well-maintained because occupational hazards and risks can change.
Preventative safety measures including safety protocols, PPE requirements, as well as lone worker apps and safety technologies.
Why your company needs a lone worker policy
A lone worker policy is not just a safety measure; it’s also a legal and ethical responsibility for the organization. Employers must consistently comply with lone worker regulations and legislation, ensuring that hazard risk assessments are conducted regularly. This includes using lone worker monitoring systems and emergency communication tools with their remote teams.
Key questions to evaluate lone worker risk levels
It should also be taken into consideration that being a “lone worker” is a very broad category that encompasses various job roles and responsibilities, each with varying levels of risk. Consider asking these important questions to measure risk level, such as:
Does the employee travel alone?
Do they perform their job duties in the presence of clients?
Are they also working in a remote area, in addition to being alone? Does the employee work regular hours or shift work?
Do they do their work in a public place?
Asking these types of questions will help you determine the level of risk each lone worker faces regularly.
Download our Lone Worker Policy Guide and Template:
Disclaimer: This Lone Worker Policy template and guideline provided by SafetyLine Lone Worker is for general information purposes only. You should not rely upon the material or information on the website to make any business, legal, or other decisions.
Complying with lone worker legislation
Across North America, employers are legally obligated to protect their lone workers under a combination of federal, state or provincial, and industry-specific regulations. In the United States, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires employers to regularly maintain a safe work environment for all employees, including lone workers, under its General Duty Clause. While OSHA does not have a universal lone worker standard, it mandates risk assessments, regular check-ins, and emergency protocols—especially in high-risk industries like construction, healthcare, and shipyards. In Canada, lone worker safety is governed by the Canada Labour Code and provincial occupational health and safety laws.
Employers must conduct hazard assessments, implement preventative measures, like lone worker policies, and ensure access to emergency support. Provinces including British Columbia and Alberta have designated lone worker regulations – while Canadian federal law prohibits working alone in confined spaces or around hazardous equipment. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in harmful fines, legal liability, and reputational damage. A strong lone worker policy is crucial not only for legal compliance but also for creating an authentic culture of safety and accountability within your organization.
Need help creating your lone worker policy?
Your organization’s lone worker policy template should include hazard assessment and identification, PPE and safety technology requirements, emergency protocols/policies (including emergency contacts), check-in procedures, and training requirements. Using lone worker apps and devices can enhance safety, compliance, and accountability.
Get in touch with us today to schedule a consultation for your lone worker solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SafetyLine Lone Worker and how does it work?
SafetyLine is a cloud-based safety monitoring solution designed to protect employees working alone. It uses smartphone mobile apps and automated check-ins to ensure workers are safe during their shifts.
Is SafetyLine compliant with Canadian and U.S. lone worker legislation?
Yes. SafetyLine helps organizations meet legal requirements under OSHA (U.S.) and the Canada Labour Code, as well as provincial regulations. It supports hazard assessments, emergency protocols, and real-time monitoring.
How does SafetyLine support the creation of a lone worker policy?
SafetyLine provides tools and resources that can help employers identify lone worker risks, implement monitoring systems, and stay compliant with local legislation. These features can be integrated directly into your company’s lone worker safety policy.
Can SafetyLine integrate with our existing safety protocols and lone worker policy?
Absolutely. SafetyLine is customizable and can be integrated into your existing safety management system, lone worker policy, and emergency response procedures.
What features does SafetyLine offer to enhance lone worker safety?
Key features include automated check-ins, GPS tracking, panic alerts, fall detection, voice-activated emergency reporting, and detailed reporting dashboards for compliance and audits.