Lone Working on Irish Construction Sites: Risk Assessment and Safe Systems
Understand your legal duties for lone workers on Irish construction sites. Covers risk assessment, prohibited lone working, monitoring arrangements, and...
# Lone Working on Irish Construction Sites: Risk Assessment and Safe Systems --- Lone working is a reality on many Irish construction sites. A plumber finishing a snagging list in an empty building, a site manager carrying out a late inspection, a groundworker opening up a trench before the rest of the crew arrives: these are all examples of lone working situations that arise routinely in the construction industry. Each carries risks that are different from, and often greater than, the same work carried out in the presence of colleagues. Irish law does not prohibit lone working in most circumstances, but it does require employers to assess the risks and implement appropriate controls. This article sets out the legal framework for lone working, the situations where lone working is prohibited, and the practical measures that employers must put in place. --- ## What Is Lone Working? A lone worker is someone who works by themselves without close supervision or without colleagues nearby. In the context of construction, lone working arises in a variety of situations: - A worker carrying out maintenance or snagging work in an unoccupied building - A site manager or safety officer carrying out an inspection outside normal working hours - A self-employed tradesperson working alone on a small domestic project - A worker who has been separated from their colleagues due to the layout of the site - A worker carrying out preparatory work before the main crew arrives on site The key characteristic of lone working is that if the worker is injured or becomes ill, there may be no one nearby to summon help or provide first aid. This is what makes lone working inherently more hazardous than the same work carried out in the presence of colleagues. --- ## The Legal Framework There is no single piece of Irish legislation that deals specifically with lone working. The obligations on employers arise from the general duty of care under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, which requires every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health, and welfare of all employees. The risk assessment required under Section 19 of the Act must consider lone working as a specific hazard where it arises. The Safety Statement required under Section 20 must address the arrangements for managing lone working risks. The General Application Regulations 2007 also contain relevant provisions, particularly in relation to first aid, emergency procedures, and the protection of particularly vulnerable workers. --- ## When Is Lone Working Prohibited? Certain types of work must never be carried out alone, regardless of the precautions in place. The following activities are prohibited for lone workers on construction sites: **Confined space entry.** The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, Part 2, Chapter 1, requires that a rescue plan be in place before any person enters a confined space. A rescue plan requires at least one person to be stationed outside the confined space and ready to initiate a rescue. Lone working in a confined space is therefore prohibited. **Work at height involving significant risk.** Where a fall from height could be fatal or result in serious injury, and where the worker would be unable to summon help if they fell, lone working should not be permitted. This applies particularly to work on scaffolding, roofs, or other elevated platforms outside normal working hours. **Work involving live electrical systems.** Work on or near live electrical conductors must not be carried out alone. If a worker receives an electric shock, they may be rendered unconscious and unable to summon help. **Work with certain hazardous substances.** Where a worker could be overcome by fumes or other hazardous substances, lone working is not appropriate. This includes work in areas where there is a risk of oxygen deficiency or the presence of toxic gases. **Demolition work.** Demolition work involves a risk of structural collapse that could trap or injure a worker. Lone working during demolition is not acceptable. --- ## Risk Assessment for Lone Working Where lone working is permitted, the employer must carry out a specific risk assessment. The assessment must consider: - The nature of the work and the hazards involved - Whether the work can be carried out safely by one person - Whether the worker has the knowledge, skills, and experience to carry out the work safely without supervision - What would happen if the worker was injured or became ill: could they summon help? How long might it be before they were found? - The working environment: is it isolated? Are there additional hazards such as extreme temperatures, poor lighting, or the risk of violence? - The worker's individual circumstances: are they a young person, a new employee, or someone with a health condition that could increase their risk? The risk assessment should identify the control measures that will be implemented to reduce the risks to an acceptable level. --- ## Control Measures for Lone Working The following control measures are commonly used to manage lone working risks on construction sites. ### Monitoring and Check-In Systems A monitoring system ensures that if a lone worker fails to check in at the agreed time, someone will investigate and, if necessary, summon help. The monitoring system should specify: - The frequency of check-ins (for example, every hour, or at the start and end of each shift) - The method of check-in (phone call, text message, or dedicated lone worker app) - The procedure to be followed if a worker fails to check in - The name and contact details of the person responsible for monitoring The check-in interval should be proportionate to the level of risk. For higher-risk lone working situations, more frequent check-ins are appropriate. ### Lone Worker Devices and Apps A range of dedicated lone worker devices and smartphone apps are available that can automate the monitoring process. These typically include: - Automatic check-in reminders - A man-down alarm that activates if the device detects that the worker has fallen or has not moved for a specified period - GPS tracking so that the worker's location can be identified if they fail to check in - An emergency button that the worker can activate to summon help immediately These devices can be a valuable supplement to a monitoring system but should not be used as a substitute for proper risk assessment and control measures. ### Communication Equipment Lone workers must have reliable means of communication. On a construction site, this typically means a mobile phone with a charged battery and adequate signal. Where mobile signal is unreliable, alternative communication methods such as a two-way radio should be considered. The worker should have the contact details of their supervisor, the emergency services, and the monitoring contact readily available. ### Adequate Lighting Lone workers who work in areas with poor natural lighting must have access to adequate artificial lighting. Poor lighting increases the risk of trips, falls, and other accidents, and makes it more difficult for the worker to identify hazards. ### First Aid Lone workers must have access to first aid equipment. A personal first aid kit carried by the worker is appropriate for minor injuries. For higher-risk lone working situations, the worker should have access to more comprehensive first aid equipment. The worker must be trained in basic first aid so that they can treat minor injuries themselves and stabilise their condition while waiting for help to arrive in the event of a more serious injury. --- ## The Safety Statement and Lone Working The Safety Statement must address lone working arrangements. This should include: - The types of lone working that arise in the business - The risk assessment findings for each type of lone working - The control measures in place, including the monitoring system - The emergency procedures for lone workers - The names of the persons responsible for monitoring lone workers Workers who carry out lone working must be made aware of the Safety Statement provisions that apply to them and must be trained in the emergency procedures. --- ## Self-Employed Lone Workers Self-employed persons who work alone on construction sites have the same obligations as employers in relation to their own safety. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, self-employed persons must conduct their work in such a way as not to endanger themselves or others. A self-employed tradesperson working alone on a domestic project should carry out a risk assessment before starting work, ensure they have reliable means of communication, and make arrangements for someone to check on them if they have not made contact by a specified time. --- If you need help preparing a lone working policy or risk assessment for your construction business, Safety Check can assist. [Contact us](/contact) for practical guidance tailored to your specific working arrangements.