Q.My husband works for big water company on shift work where he works nights from 10pm-7am. He is working night shift alone in charge of a water treatment site. Is it illegal to work alone at night?
Ms Sarah Crowle, 24 September 2020
A.Establishing safe working conditions for people who are working alone at night is no different to that of arranging the safety of other employees. It is not illegal to work alone at night, but the employer must make sure that it is safe for employees to do so.
Night Work Risk Assessments
An employer needs to understand the laws that apply to all work related activities. This requires them to identify the hazards of the job and perform a risk assessment to identify safety issues.
Once this is done, the employer needs to implement any safe working arrangements that are needed. This makes sure that any risks are eliminated or effectively controlled. This process must also be carried out in consultation with employees. The person(s) carrying out the job must have received the right training.
An employer must also check that an employee working alone at night has no medical conditions which make them unsuitable for lone working. Medical checkups might be required and the employer would need to factor in things like the employees mental and physical ability to cope with the work not only the routine aspects of the job but also the employees ability to cope in the event of an emergency.
Safe Working at Night Procedures
Suitable systems or procedures for safe working at night must also be put in place. These should enable the lone worker to be monitored. This could be supervisors coming by to check on the lone worker at designated intervals. A system via radio or mobile phone communication could also be used. In certain circumstances, other devices, such as alarm systems, can be put in place whereby theyre automatically triggered if the lone worker hasnt responded to a monitoring procedure or there is an absence of activity.
Occupations where Working Alone at Night is Not Allowed
There are certain occupations in which people are not allowed to work alone by law. For example, where there may be a risk of violence or a threat to security. However, there are no hard and fast rules.
The company is entitled to employ your husband as a lone worker if correct procedures were followed. If a proper risk assessment deemed the job safe, it is legal for your husband to work in this way
For further information about this issue, the Health & Safety Executive have a guide to lone working. Our own guide to lone working regulations and risk assessments may also help.
Our guide on working night shifts gives insight into broader rules and regulations around working at night and breaks.
Our hints and tips for staying safe while working alone, also offer practical advice.
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