What does duty of care mean for lone workers?

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, a PCBU must do what is reasonably practicable to protect workers from the risks of their work, including work done alone. For lone workers that means assessed risks, working controls, a tested response to something going wrong, and records proving all three.

How often should we run this audit?

Every 6 months, and immediately after any serious incident. Keep the completed copies; the trail matters as much as the latest score.

Who should complete it?

The WHS manager or equivalent, with input from line managers. For an honest picture, have someone outside the team verify a sample of the answers.

Lone worker duty of care self-audit checklist (free download)

Lone worker duty of care self-audit

This audit answers one question: if something happened to a lone worker tomorrow, could you show Safe Work Australia and your state WHS regulator that you had met your duty under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011? Answer each item yes, partial or no. Every 'no' is a finding; every 'partial' is a follow-up.

Who it's for: WHS managers and executives who want an honest picture of their lone worker arrangements before an incident forces one.

Free to use and adapt · Last updated 2026-07-21 · No email required

A. Policy and planning

We have a written lone worker policy, approved and dated within the last 2 years
The policy defines who counts as a lone worker in our organisation
Every team knows which of its roles involve lone work and when
Responsibilities for lone worker safety are assigned to named roles

B. Risk assessment

A current risk assessment exists for every role that involves lone work
Assessments were reviewed within the last 12 months or after the last incident
Workers who do the job were involved in the assessment
High risks have documented controls and a named owner
Client or site risk flags are recorded and visible to workers before visits

C. Controls and equipment

High-risk lone tasks have been eliminated, paired or rescheduled where practicable
Workers at medium or high risk carry a duress alarm, monitored device or safety app
Devices are tested, charged and actually worn (spot-checked, not assumed)
Workers in poor-coverage areas have a communication method that works there
A missed check-in triggers a documented, timed escalation procedure

D. Training

Lone workers are trained on the policy, check-in procedure and their equipment at induction
Client-facing lone workers have current de-escalation training
Refresher training happens at least annually and is recorded
New and transferred staff cannot start lone work before this training

E. Monitoring and response

Someone (or a monitored system) receives and acknowledges every check-in
The escalation ladder has been tested with a drill in the last 6 months
Alarm response does not depend on a single person being available
After-hours lone work has the same response coverage as business hours

F. Incident reporting and review

Incidents and near misses involving lone work are reported on a standard form
Every incident triggers a review of the relevant risk assessment
Corrective actions have owners and due dates, and completion is tracked
Workers affected by incidents are offered support and follow-up

Scoring and action

Count your answers. Every 'no' in sections B, C or E is a priority finding: these are the arrangements a regulator examines first after an incident. Record each finding with an owner and a due date, and re-run the audit in 6 months.

Findings: [___]. Priority findings: [___]. Audit completed by [name] on [date]. Next audit due: [date].