Violence at work is a real risk for lone workers. The HSE’s 2017/18 figures recorded 694,000 incidents, and a TUC analysis suggests roughly one in eight workers have experienced workplace violence, with 20% reporting it more than 10 times.
Who counts as a lone worker? HSE guidance covers anyone working without close or direct supervision, including people travelling for work, working out of hours or from home.
Why this matters. Violence harms people and organisations. The HSE report shows that a large share of incidents result in physical injury. Beyond injuries, consequences include turnover, lost time and mental‑health impacts. In retail, a Suzy Lamplugh Trust survey found low levels of safety training and awareness.
1) Build a prevention culture. Adopt clear, zero‑tolerance messaging and back it with policy, training and reporting. See UNISON’s ‘It’s not part of the job’ guide.
2) Do risk assessments and write a lone worker policy. Conduct role‑specific risk assessments and embed the outcomes into a policy that sets responsibilities, procedures and escalation. This is a legal requirement under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
3) Train for awareness and de‑escalation. Teach staff to spot early aggression, respond calmly and walk away if necessary. See the HSE case study from Walkers TV, Radio and Music Centre.
4) Put practical controls in place. Plan visits and travel, avoid isolated areas where possible and use check‑in processes. Emphasise customer‑service behaviours — friendly, polite and courteous — which HSE case studies associate with reduced incidents.
5) Record incidents and learn. Keep detailed incident data and review patterns. See HSE examples from Solihull Council and the Environment Agency.
6) Support people after incidents. Provide timely support and monitor for post‑incident stress.
For mobile and remote roles. Ensure safe travel, use well‑lit routes, keep distractions low and encourage dynamic risk assessments. Use a check‑in system so missed check‑ins trigger a response.
Further reading and resources: Full white paper • Download the free lone working guide
Award-winning safety management tools and a fully accredited response team.
