When this template fits
Any employer whose staff carry out tasks alone — surveyors, maintenance engineers, callout operatives or trades on small jobs — needs a lone working RAMS that sets out how those workers are kept safe without a colleague present. This is a procedures document: clients and PCs want to see check-in schedules, escalation and the tasks you forbid alone, not a generic equipment list. HSE guidance INDG73 makes clear that lone working is not prohibited but must be specifically risk-assessed.
What this RAMS includes
- ✓ 8 task-specific hazards scored on a 5×5 matrix (initial → residual)
- ✓ Specific control measures for each hazard, in hierarchy-of-control order
- ✓ A 9-step method statement (sequence of works)
- ✓ PPE, plant/equipment, permits and competence requirements
- ✓ Emergency arrangements and operative briefing / sign-off section
Scope of works
Lone working with check-in and means of raising the alarm.
Sequence of works
- 1Before work begins, complete the lone working risk assessment and obtain supervisor authorisation. Confirm the task does not involve prohibited activities for lone working (e.g. confined space entry, working at height above low-risk threshold).
- 2Record your name, location, task description and expected finish time in the site log or digital check-in system. Ensure the nominated monitoring contact has this information.
- 3Check all communication devices are fully charged and functional. Test the lone worker alarm device, confirm man-down detection is active and verify signal coverage at the work location.
- 4Inspect the intended work route and work area for slip, trip and fall hazards. Clear debris, ensure adequate lighting and confirm safe access to the worksite.
- 5Confirm the check-in schedule with the monitoring contact and agree the escalation procedure if a check-in is missed (e.g. attempt to call worker, then contact emergency services after defined period).
- 6Carry out the task in accordance with the relevant task-specific RAMS. Remain alert to changing site conditions and report any new hazards to the supervisor at the next check-in.
- 7Perform scheduled check-ins at the agreed intervals. If unable to check in, attempt to contact the monitoring point immediately. If the lone worker device alarm is triggered, follow the emergency plan.
- 8On completion of the task, formally sign out by notifying the monitoring contact and updating the site log. Confirm the work area has been left safe and secure.
- 9Report any incidents, near-misses or concerns arising from the lone working activity to the site manager. Review the lone working risk assessment if conditions or tasks change.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Failure to raise alarm when incapacitated
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Establish a formal check-in schedule (e.g. every 1–2 hours) with a nominated contact or supervisor who will initiate emergency response if check-in is missed.
- › Issue a dedicated lone worker device or app with man-down (no-movement) detection and a panic button that alerts a monitoring centre or nominated contact.
- › Complete and record a lone working risk assessment. Supervisor must authorise lone working, confirm communication method and set escalation criteria.
Communication failure
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Survey the site for mobile coverage dead spots before work begins; if coverage is inadequate, issue radio or satellite communicator.
- › Provide a fully charged secondary device (radio, satellite communicator or second mobile on a different network) carried on the person.
- › Lone worker must confirm all communication devices are fully charged and functional before departing; record check in daily site log.
Slip, trip or fall on site
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Inspect and clear the intended work route of debris, trailing cables and wet surfaces before starting work alone.
- › Ensure sufficient fixed or portable lighting along all lone worker routes and work areas, particularly in poor-light conditions.
- › Wear appropriate safety footwear with anti-slip sole rated for the site surface type.
- › Ensure the lone worker device man-down (fall/no-movement) sensor is activated so that a fall without movement triggers an automatic alert.
Sudden medical emergency
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Assess worker health prior to lone working assignment; workers with known medical conditions that could cause sudden incapacity must be subject to additional controls or prohibited from lone working.
- › Lone worker carries a personal medical information card and a basic first-aid kit including any required personal medication (e.g. EpiPen).
- › Lone worker is briefed on the site address, nearest emergency access point and what3words or grid reference to relay to emergency services.
Violence or aggression from third parties
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Assess likelihood of third-party aggression for the specific site and task; avoid lone working where risk of violence is high.
- › Ensure the work area is secured against unauthorised access; notify site security and reception of lone worker presence.
- › Lone worker device panic button to be tested before starting; monitoring contact must have protocol for dispatching assistance within agreed response time.
Inadequate emergency response planning
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Document and communicate a site-specific emergency plan including: worker location, task details, contact escalation chain, emergency services access route and actions if check-in is missed.
- › Lone worker records start location, task and expected finish time in the site log or digital system before beginning work.
- › Define clear escalation steps when a check-in is missed: contact worker → contact supervisor → contact site manager → call emergency services. Maximum acceptable gap before escalation must be documented.
Working in confined or restricted spaces alone
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Lone working must be eliminated for any task classified as a confined space entry; a trained standby person must always be present outside the space.
- › Review the lone working task to confirm it does not involve any confined space. If it does, the task must be rescheduled with appropriate additional personnel.
Fatigue and reduced situational awareness
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Set and enforce maximum lone working periods with mandatory check-in breaks; supervisor must challenge any worker exceeding permitted hours.
- › Apply additional controls for lone working during night shifts or after extended hours, including shorter check-in intervals and risk reassessment.
PPE
- ✓ Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing
- ✓ Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- ✓ Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
Competence
- ✓ Site induction completed; CSCS or equivalent where the site requires it
Schemes (CSCS, PASMA, IPAF…) evidence competence; they are not statutory requirements in themselves.
Plant & equipment
- › Monitored lone-worker device (man-down, panic, GPS)
- › Mobile phone and, where signal is poor, satellite communicator or two-way radio
- › Check-in logging system or app at the monitoring end
- › Personal first-aid kit
- › Vehicle with breakdown cover for travelling workers
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ That the RAMS names the specific tasks prohibited from being done alone — live electrical, confined space, rescue-impossible work at height — not just 'be careful when alone'
- ✓ That a real, monitored check-in schedule with a defined missed-check-in escalation exists, with someone named to receive it
- ✓ That signal/communications coverage at the actual location has been confirmed, with a fallback where it is poor
- ✓ The document is site-specific — real address, access arrangements and dates, not a generic template
- ✓ Hazards match the actual task and the controls are specific (not “take care” and “use PPE”)
- ✓ Named supervisor and competent person, with operative sign-off space
- ✓ Emergency and rescue arrangements that work for this site
The report builder runs these as pre-submission checks before you download — or run an existing document through the free RAMS pre-submission checker.
Frequently asked questions
Can an apprentice work alone?
No, an apprentice should not be working unsupervised. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations require young or inexperienced workers to be given extra protection, and lone working removes the supervision and immediate help an apprentice relies on. Apprentices should work within sight or earshot of a competent colleague who can intervene. Lone working should be reserved for workers assessed as experienced and confident enough to handle the task and any emergency alone.
What tasks should never be done by a lone worker?
Any task where an incident would leave the worker unable to summon help, or where rescue needs more than one person. The common prohibitions are live electrical work, confined-space entry, and work at height where self-rescue is impossible, because all three can incapacitate a worker who then cannot call for help. These require a second competent person or a planned rescue arrangement before they proceed. Your lone working procedure should list these explicitly so there is no ambiguity on site.
What regulations apply to lone working?
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 are the main ones, alongside Confined Spaces Regulations 1997. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and CDM 2015 apply to all construction work.
Does a RAMS need to be site-specific?
Yes — this is the most common reason documents get sent back. Principal contractors reject generic copy-paste RAMS. Your document should name the site, access arrangements, dates, supervisor and any site-specific hazards. The RamsDocs builder fills these in for you and flags what's missing before you download.
Is this template free?
Yes — everything on RamsDocs is free during early access, including building a site-specific version of this RAMS and downloading the PDF. No card required.