In the UK there are currently hundreds of lone workers working in explosive environments. As well as being surrounded by potential hazards such as gas/fume leaks, explosions, electrical hazards, and trip and slip hazards, these personnel are often working at unsocial hours. Protection for lone workers working within such environments is of paramount importance, but is often overlooked.
Legislation does not prohibit lone working in a general sense, but companies and organisations must conduct a risk assessment covering the activities of all employees, including lone workers. Since the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act of 2007, companies and organisations can be found guilty of corporate manslaughter as a result of serious management failures resulting in a gross breach of duty of care.
