Written by Rick Gregory, Editorial Lead · Legal information checked in collaboration with Edward & Amaury Solicitors (SRA 800525) · September 2026 · ~4 min read
WorkClaim UK is a trading name of Edward and Amaury Limited (Edward & Amaury Solicitors), authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA 800525).
Quick Summary
- Working alone is not against the law, but employers must assess and manage the extra risks
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require suitable and sufficient risk assessments, and HSE guidance covers lone working specifically
- Sensible measures include training, check-in systems, emergency procedures, first aid arrangements and safe equipment
- An accident with no witnesses can still be proved from records, photographs and medical evidence
- This guide covers England and Wales
What do employers have to do?
The Health and Safety Executive's guidance Working alone says that there is no general legal prohibition on working alone, but employers must think about the risks and take steps to control them. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require a suitable and sufficient assessment of risks. See our guide to risk assessment duties.
For lone workers, the assessment should consider questions such as:
- Can the work be done safely by one person, or does it need a second person?
- Is there a safe way in and out, and can help be summoned?
- Is the worker trained, and are they able to cope with an emergency?
- Are there risks of violence, for example when dealing with the public?
- How is contact maintained, for example through check-in calls or alarms?
- What happens if the worker is ill or injured?
Who is affected?
Cleaners, security staff, delivery drivers, care workers, engineers, farm workers and people who work from home are all examples. See our guides for delivery drivers, care home workers and farm workers.
How can I prove what happened?
Lone workers often have no eyewitnesses. That does not prevent a claim. Evidence includes the risk assessment (or its absence), training and check-in records, phone logs, alarm data, CCTV, photographs, the accident record and medical notes. Our guide to claims with no witnesses covers this in detail.
What if my employer failed to assess the risk?
A failure to carry out a suitable assessment or to put in place sensible measures may amount to negligence if it caused or contributed to your injury. Whether it did depends on the facts. A solicitor will look at what a reasonable employer would have done.
Frequently asked questions
Can I refuse to work alone?
There is no absolute right in every case, but you should raise concerns with your employer. Serious and imminent danger is dealt with separately, and you are protected from being penalised for raising health and safety concerns. See our guide on being dismissed after a claim.
What should I do straight after an accident when I was alone?
Get help, record the time and place, photograph the scene, report it and see our checklist on what to do after an accident.
Is there a time limit?
The usual limit is three years. See our time limits guide.
Does my employer have to carry out a lone working risk assessment?
Employers must assess work-related risks, including risks that arise because someone works alone. Appropriate safeguards depend on the job and can include communication arrangements, training, supervision or emergency procedures.
Can I claim if another worker attacked me while I was alone?
Possibly, if foreseeable risks were not properly assessed or controlled. Preserve incident reports, messages and any CCTV, and seek advice on the particular circumstances.
Injured while working alone?
A specialist solicitor can review what safeguards your employer had in place and what evidence you have.
Or call 01228 272395 to speak to Edward & Amaury Solicitors (SRA number: 800525). No upfront cost and nothing to pay if your claim does not succeed.