Lone Working at Height: Essential Safety Tips

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 35 people were fatally injured following a fall from height between 2020 and 2021. With the total number of fatalities being 142 during this period, falls from height account for 25% of all work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain. 

When working at height alone, all it takes is one mistake to turn a routine task into a fatality or life-changing injury.

Lone working at height poses significant risks, making it crucial for employers to implement robust safety measures, conduct thorough lone worker risk assessments, and provide emergency response solutions. In this guide, we outline essential safety tips and best practices for protecting lone workers at height.

Why is Lone Working at Height Dangerous? Key Risks & Challenges

Lone workers are more at risk when working at height because there’s no one around to ensure that company health and safety procedures are followed or equipment is used correctly, to support with difficult tasks, or to advise if they spot a hazard.

The worst scenario is an accident occurring while an employee is working alone. They could be left without help for a long period of time resulting in a fatality that could have been prevented.

In this instance, a lone worker device would either allow the user to call for help at the push of a Red Alert button or the device would detect that the user was incapacitated and would automatically initiate a man-down alarm. In these situations, the operators in our Alarm Receiving Centre will initiate an emergency response in just over 30 seconds. This quick response really can be life-saving.

Who Faces the Greatest Risks When Working at Height Alone?

Falls from height are one of the biggest causes of injury among construction workers. However, there are many other job roles that require working at height e.g. painters, decorators, roofers, window cleaners, scaffolders, surveyors, tree surgeons, electrical engineers, crane operators, and many more.

How to Conduct a Lone Working at Height Risk Assessment

As an employer, one method to identify the hazards that employees face is to carry out a risk assessment. The HSE recommends a five-step approach to help mitigate the risks of lone working at height safely. You can use our free Risk Assessment template

1. Look for hazards associated with working at height.

• Where are workers required to work at height?
• Is the location accessible?
• Are there any social risks associated with the location? E.g. risk of violence or aggression.
• Are ladders, platforms or scaffolds required?
• Will workers be required to stand on unprotected or fragile roofs?
• If machinery or portable access equipment needs to be used, what are the hazards?
• Are workers fit and healthy? Do they have any medical conditions that you may need to consider?
• Is there a risk that items could be dropped from height causing injury?
• Can the worker be contacted in the event of an emergency? And how will the worker notify the emergency services or a manager if they have an accident and are incapacitated?

2. Decide who might be harmed and how.

• Who comes into the workplace or visits the site? Are they at risk?
• Is there a risk to the public?
• Are some groups more at risk than others?

3. Manage the risks associated with working at height.

• Are there measures in place to reduce the risks? e.g. fall restraints, edge protection, lone worker devices, and buddy systems.
• Are regular inspections carried out?
• How often will you review the hazards and your risk management strategy?
• Are your workers happy that you have considered everything that might impact their safety while working at height, or otherwise?
• Is there sufficient training in place for managers and lone workers?

4. Document your findings

• Employers are required to demonstrate that the risks associated with lone working at height have been carefully considered and all necessary safety precautions are in place.

5. Regularly review

You should regularly review your assessment – particularly if there are any significant changes to your work. Make sure that precautions are still adequate to deal with the risk.

Take a look at our guide for conducting lone worker risk assessments.

5 Tips for Lone Working at Height Safety

1. Use ladders appropriately

• Where possible, avoid using loose or unsupported ladders or stepladders where possible
• Don't use a ladder that's too long for the job
• Carry out regular ladder inspections

2. Don’t work at height in hazardous conditions or environments

• Lone workers should avoid working at height in areas where there’s water, ice or spilt substances due to the increased slip hazard. Workers should also avoid working at height when there is poor visibility e.g. thick fog.

3. Use equipment correctly

• Ensure that all employees are well-trained to use equipment
• Harness equipment, if applicable, to decrease the chance of tools falling
• Choose the right equipment for the job
• Check equipment regularly and ensure it meets all regulations

4. Use safety lines, harnesses, nets, and edge protection

• Make sure fall restraints and fall protection measures are installed by trained operatives, tested and inspected regularly

5. Use a lone working safety device

A lone worker solution will ensure that you can raise an emergency alarm if you have an accident or feel under threat. It will also automatically raise a man-down alarm if you are incapacitated due to a slip, trip, fall or health issue – ensuring you get the help you need as quickly as possible.

FAQs for Lone Working at Height Safety

What are The Main Risks of Lone Working at Height?

Lone workers at height face significant risks, including falls, equipment failure, and medical emergencies. Without immediate assistance, even a minor incident can become life-threatening. Key risks include:

• Falls from height due to unstable surfaces, lack of fall protection, or human error.
• Medical emergencies such as dizziness, fainting, or sudden illness while working alone.
• Equipment failure, including ladder collapses, harness malfunctions, or defective scaffolding.
• Dropped objects that could cause serious injury to others below.
• Environmental hazards, such as strong winds, poor visibility, or extreme weather conditions.

What Safety Measures Should Be in Place for Working at Height Alone?

To ensure the safety of lone workers at height, employers should implement the following precautions:

1. Comprehensive risk assessments to identify hazards and implement control measures.
2. Proper training for workers on safe ladder use, fall protection, and emergency procedures.
3. Use of fall prevention equipment, such as harnesses, guardrails, and safety nets.
4. Regular equipment checks to ensure ladders, platforms, and harnesses are in good condition.
5. Weather monitoring to avoid working at height in unsafe conditions (e.g., high winds or poor visibility).
6. Lone worker safety devices to enable workers to call for help in case of an emergency.

How Do Lone Worker Safety Devices Improve Safety at Height?

Lone worker safety devices provide crucial protection by enabling immediate emergency response if an incident occurs. They help in the following ways:

• Red Alert functionality: Workers can manually trigger an alarm if they feel at risk or need help.
• Man-down incapacitation detection: If a worker falls, the device will detect if the user is incapacitated due to a slip, trip or fall raises an alert.
• Two-way communication: Allows workers to speak directly with a monitoring team for real-time assistance.
• GPS tracking: Ensures the worker’s location is known, allowing responders to locate them quickly in an emergency.
• Check-ins: The user can record a short risk assessment when arriving at a location for work.

Further information

Protect your lone workers with the right safety solutions. Request a demo today and discover how our lone worker devices can enhance safety at height. Contact Us for more details.