Working alone · New Zealand
Is it legal to work alone in New Zealand?
Yes, it is legal to work alone in New Zealand. No law bans lone work. But the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 requires a PCBU (the business) to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers - and the regulations require a system of work with effective communication for remote or isolated work.
What the law actually says
Lone work in New Zealand is governed by the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016. These place on employers a primary duty of care on the PCBU to ensure worker health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable - and, for remote or isolated work, a specific requirement to provide a system of work that includes effective communication.
What employers are expected to do
- Assess the risks of remote, isolated and lone work
- Provide a system of work with effective communication for isolated workers
- Put means in place to raise the alarm and to check on workers
- Review controls for after-hours and higher-risk situations
The common thread: working alone is legal, but the employer's duty of care doesn't shrink because a worker is on their own - if anything it grows, because the usual safety net of nearby colleagues is gone. A reliable way to raise the alarm and a response that arrives is exactly what "reasonably practicable" has come to mean for lone work.
This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements are set by WorkSafe New Zealand. WorkSafe NZ publishes guidance on remote and isolated work - check it for what applies to your situation.