FACTS

RISKY SITUATIONS FOR WORKERS AT ALL HOURS

Slips, trips, and falls. The dangers of climbing a ladder or working at heights while alone are obvious.

Environmental dangers. Many lone workers face hazardous environmental conditions, from extreme heat and cold, to working around water or below ground, and even encountering wild animals.

Chemicals and electricity. Lone workers also face invisible hazards like chemical fumes and electricity. A lone worker in a water treatment facility, for example, can quickly be overcome by fumes and unable to call for help.

Lifting. Lifting heavy objects alone can also pose a risk of injury, like a delivery person lifting an oversized box.

Heavy equipment. Lone workers on oil rigs or in refineries may operate heavy equipment without a coworker nearby. This means there is no one around to prevent them from being crushed or caught between equipment.

Medical emergencies. A lone worker could suffer a heart attack, stroke, or severe allergic reaction. With no one there to call 911.

Assault. Many lone workers are victims of assault. A lone convenience store worker or truck driver makes an easy target for criminals.

Limited/no connectivity. All risks are multiplied if lone workers are outside of cell phone coverage. Not only is there no one around, it’s also more difficult to reach someone if help is needed.

STATS

• The B.L.S. reports, in 2019 there were 5,333 lone worker deaths in industry.
  • Transportation incidents – 39.8%
  • Exposure to harmful substances or environments – 12.0%
  • Falls, trips and slips – 16.5%
  • Fatalities due to fires and explosions – 1.9%
• There are 53 million lone workers in the United States, Canada, and Europe combined. To put that statistic into perspective, it represents about 15% of the overall workforce.
  • 44% of workers say they face personal safety issues in their primary employment practices.
  • OSHA states that 48% more assaults occur in the healthcare and social services industries more than any other.
  • 62% of social workers have been subject to psychological aggression in the past year, with 86% experiencing this at some point in their careers.
  • 15% of social workers have been physically assaulted by clients in the past year, with 30% having experienced this at some point in their career.
  • 50% of retail workers that are killed are employed alone at late night establishments, such as liquor stores or gas stations.