10 Safety Tips for Working Alone

Safety is especially important for small business owners with employees who work alone in warehouses, construction, field service, or maintenance roles. A lone worker is anyone completing a job without direct supervision, which means there’s no coworker nearby to step in during an emergency. That’s why having a lone working policy, a clear safety checklist, and regular training is so valuable. Here are 10 tips to help you reduce risks and support employees on solo jobs.

Before any task begins, complete a risk assessment. Check for potential hazards, equipment concerns, and site-specific issues. This step gives you a baseline for safety planning.

A working-alone policy template provides structure and accountability. It should explain what qualifies as lone work, outline procedures, and set communication expectations.

Equip employees with a safety checklist so they know what to review before starting a job. This checklist helps you confirm risks are reviewed, communication is set, and emergency steps are clear before any solo job begins.

Not every employee may realize when they’re considered a lone worker. Spell it out in your policy and training so there’s no confusion about when added precautions apply.

Leverage lone-worker monitoring systems such as mobile apps, wearable devices, or scheduled check-ins. These tools allow you to track activity and quickly respond to unexpected issues.

Emergencies can happen without warning. A lone-worker emergency plan should cover medical incidents, equipment failures, and security threats. Make sure employees know how to access help fast.

Provide lone-worker safety training to ensure employees understand procedures and know how to respond in an emergency. Schedule refresher training sessions so safety practices stay fresh.

Encourage employees to assess their surroundings each time they enter a jobsite. This means noting exits, hazards, and any changes in the work environment that could affect safety.

A policy is only effective if paired with clear action steps. Develop and implement workplace safety procedures for all solo tasks, including communication, emergency reporting, and hazard prevention.

Safety isn’t static. Use regular reviews, employee feedback, and incident reports to determine a schedule for refresher training and improve your policies. This keeps your approach practical and up to date.

If you only remember two things, make it these:

1. Assess risks before starting the job.
2. Have an emergency plan in place.

Final Thoughts

Working alone doesn’t have to mean working without support. By using a safety checklist, building a lone-working policy, investing in monitoring tools, and offering ongoing training, small business owners can keep employees prepared and protected.

These tips give you a starting point to build safer practices into your daily operations—helping your team feel confident no matter where the job takes them.

Product Compliance and Suitability

The statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness, or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand, and follow all manufacturer instructions. Portions of this article were generated in part by ChatGPT, and edited by a member of the Zoro team.