Working alone doesn't always mean working somewhere remote. And being remote doesn't always mean being alone. But both situations can present serious safety risks when something goes wrong.
Picture a cattle station worker heading out on a quad bike to check livestock kilometres from the homestead. Or a mining worker travelling to an isolated section of a mine site to carry out an inspection.
Both know their jobs. Both have experience. Both may have communication equipment and established safety procedures.
But what happens if they have an accident, become unwell or suddenly can't call for help?
That's where lone and isolated worker safety becomes particularly important.
Working Alone Is More Common Than You Think
When we think about lone workers, we often picture someone in the middle of the Australian outback.
But lone and isolated work occurs across many industries, including:
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Agriculture and cattle stations
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Mining and quarrying
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Construction and civil works
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Maintenance and electrical services
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Transport and logistics
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Healthcare and community services
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Security and after-hours cleaning
A worker doesn't need to be hundreds of kilometres from civilisation to be isolated. They could be working in a plant room, a warehouse, a remote section of a factory or an empty building after hours.
The real concern is whether assistance will be available when it's needed.
Before You Head Out, Check Your Alarm
Personal safety alarms, duress devices and satellite emergency communicators can provide an important additional layer of protection for workers operating alone.
Some devices allow workers to send an SOS alert. Others can detect a fall or lack of movement, depending on their capabilities and configuration.
But an alarm is only useful if it works when it's needed.
Before heading out, workers should follow their workplace procedures for checking that their device is charged, functioning correctly and able to communicate through the available network or satellite service.
They should also understand how to activate an emergency alert and what happens when one is triggered.
A quick equipment check before leaving could make a significant difference later.
Heading out alone? Remember to check your alarm before you go!
Don't Miss Your Check-In
For many workers, regular communication is one of the most important parts of working alone safely.
A scheduled check-in might involve contacting a supervisor, control room or designated colleague at agreed intervals.
These arrangements help ensure someone knows the worker's location, expected activities and whether everything is going to plan.
But a check-in procedure is only effective when everyone understands it.
Workers need to know when and how to make contact, while supervisors or designated contacts need clear instructions about what to do if a check-in is missed.
A missed call shouldn't simply be ignored or left until the end of the shift.
Workplaces should have an appropriate escalation and emergency response procedure based on the risks involved.
Working alone? Don't miss your check-in!
What If There's No Mobile Reception?
In many parts of regional and remote Australia, mobile phone coverage is unreliable or unavailable.
That makes communication planning particularly important.
Depending on the workplace and the risks, suitable equipment may include two-way radios, satellite communicators, personal locator beacons or dedicated lone-worker monitoring systems.
Each has different capabilities and limitations. A standard two-way radio, for example, depends on adequate radio coverage, while satellite equipment may require a clear view of the sky.
The important thing is to select equipment appropriate to the work environment, test it as required and make sure workers understand how to use it.
Simply carrying a mobile phone isn't always enough.
When Working Alone Isn't Safe
Not every job should be performed alone.
Some activities involve hazards that require additional supervision, a second worker or other specific safety controls.
Employers and workers need to consider the nature of the task, the environment, communication limitations, foreseeable emergencies and how quickly assistance could arrive.
A personal alarm or radio doesn't automatically make a high-risk task safe to perform alone.
The right approach starts with assessing the risks and following the workplace's established safety procedures.
Sometimes All You Need Is a Reminder
Even experienced workers can become familiar with routines.
Checking an alarm, confirming communication arrangements or making a scheduled check-in might seem like a small part of the working day.
But these simple actions can be essential when something unexpected happens.
Workplace safety posters help keep those everyday precautions visible, particularly in places where workers prepare to head out, collect equipment or begin their shifts.
At Safety4Work, we believe that sometimes all you need is a reminder.
Because when you're working alone, knowing someone can reach you — and knowing help can reach you — matters.
Explore our workplace safety posters at:
