Some people might question whether employers can legally require one person to work a night shift alone. Well, the short answer to that question is yes. Establishing safe working conditions for people who are working alone at night isn’t any different than 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.
Examples of roles that might involve overnight working are:
- Security guards
- Hotel receptionists
- Carers
- Petrol station attendants
- Warehouse operatives
Protecting and supporting night shift workers
Many workers might enjoy the benefits of working during the night. But they’re often more at risk of attacks, theft, anti-social behaviour and other dangerous incidents than day workers. Carrying out their shift alone can leave night workers particularly vulnerable and exposed.
Protecting and supporting night shift lone workers is an obvious duty of care for employers. The workers themselves can also follow best practices in helping to protect themselves. First off, workers should share information. It’s vital to make sure that at least one person knows their whereabouts including the start and finish times of their shift.
First2HelpYou can help protect night shift workers
Whether the lone worker is working on the road or in a care home, First2HelpYou can help protect night shift lone workers with its range of lone worker safety devices/apps.
Not only this, but we also have our very own onsite Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), which stands ready to help lone workers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our accreditations allow us to provide a ‘Level 1’ emergency response service by using a Unique Reference Number (URN), meaning if a lone worker triggers a Red Alert, the police or ambulance services can be contacted much quicker than just dialling 999.
