What are the legal requirements for lone worker safety in Australia?

Under the WHS Act s19, the PCBU has a primary duty of care to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all workers, including those who work alone. WHS Regulations Chapter 3 Part 3.1 requires the PCBU to identify hazards, assess risks and implement controls. While there is no standalone lone worker regulation in the model WHS laws, Safe Work Australia guidance and codes of practice make clear that the PCBU must assess the additional risks created by lone working and implement controls proportionate to the risk. This includes establishing communication systems, check-in procedures, emergency response plans and monitoring arrangements. AS/NZS 4801 provides a framework for occupational health and safety management systems that includes lone worker provisions.

How often should a lone worker check in?

Check-in frequency should be based on the risk level of the task and location. For high-risk tasks (work at heights, confined spaces, remote locations with poor coverage, tasks involving dangerous equipment), check-ins every 15 to 30 minutes are appropriate. For moderate-risk tasks (field inspections, maintenance at known sites, driving in areas with reliable coverage), hourly check-ins are typical. For lower-risk tasks (office work after hours, work from home), a check-in at start and end of the session may be sufficient. The key principle is that the check-in frequency must be short enough that a missed check-in triggers help before the consequences of an incident become irreversible.

What communication devices are suitable for lone workers in remote areas?

In remote areas where mobile phone coverage is unreliable, lone workers should carry a satellite phone, a satellite-connected personal locator beacon (PLB) or EPIRB, or a satellite GPS messenger device (such as a Garmin inReach or SPOT Gen4) that can send check-in messages, SOS alerts and GPS coordinates via satellite. Two-way UHF/VHF radios are useful for communication within a defined area but have limited range. For the highest-risk remote work, consider a combination: a satellite phone for voice communication, a GPS tracker for continuous location monitoring, and a PLB as a last-resort emergency device. Test all devices at the work location before relying on them.

What should happen when a lone worker misses a check-in?

A missed check-in must trigger an immediate and predefined escalation procedure. The typical sequence is: the contact person attempts to reach the worker via the primary communication device within 5 minutes of the missed check-in; if no contact is made, the contact person tries the backup communication method and contacts any nearby workers or site contacts within the next 10 minutes; if the worker is still uncontactable, a person is dispatched to the worker last known location; if the worker cannot be located within the timeframe specified in the plan, emergency services (000) are contacted with the worker last known GPS coordinates and task details. The escalation timeframes should be defined in the checklist before work begins and agreed by both the worker and the contact person.

Is this lone worker safety checklist free to download?

Yes. Download and use this lone worker safety checklist for free. Open the file in your browser and use Print then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account is required. If you want digital lone worker management with GPS check-ins, automated escalation alerts, location tracking and a complete audit trail, MapTrack can help. Book a demo to see how it works.

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Free lone worker safety checklist (PDF-ready). Risk assessment, communication plan, check-in schedule, emergency response and PPE. Download free.

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 3 May 2026

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What is a lone worker safety checklist?

A lone worker safety checklist is a structured tool used to assess, plan for and manage the risks that arise when a worker performs tasks without direct supervision or the immediate presence of other workers. It covers the identification of lone working situations (remote field work, after-hours maintenance, security patrols, home visits, truck driving, work at isolated sites), risk assessment for the specific tasks and environment, communication planning (check-in schedules, communication devices, dead zones), emergency response procedures (duress alarms, GPS tracking, escalation protocols), personal protective equipment requirements, and worker fitness and competence verification. Under the WHS Act s19, the PCBU owes a primary duty of care to all workers, and this duty does not diminish because a worker is alone. The PCBU must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the lone worker health and safety is protected.

Lone workers face a heightened risk profile compared to workers in supervised or team environments. If a lone worker is injured, falls ill, is threatened or encounters an unexpected hazard, there may be no one nearby to provide immediate assistance, raise the alarm or administer first aid. Delays in discovering an incident can turn a survivable injury into a fatality. The risks are compounded in remote locations where mobile phone coverage is unreliable, medical services are distant and environmental hazards (wildlife, extreme heat, flooding) are present. This checklist ensures that every lone working arrangement is assessed before work begins, that a robust communication and check-in system is in place, and that both the worker and the supervisor know exactly what to do if contact is lost or an emergency occurs. MapTrack supports lone worker safety by providing GPS-enabled check-in functionality, automated escalation when check-ins are missed, and a complete audit trail of every lone working session.

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Benefits of using this lone worker safety checklist

Worker safety: ensures that risks specific to lone working are identified and controlled before the worker begins their task, reducing the likelihood and severity of incidents.
Regulatory compliance: demonstrates that the PCBU has fulfilled their duty of care under the WHS Act s19 for workers who perform tasks alone.
Reliable communication: the checklist establishes a clear check-in schedule and communication plan, ensuring that a missed check-in triggers an immediate and defined response.
Faster emergency response: documented emergency procedures, GPS location sharing and escalation protocols reduce the time between an incident and the arrival of help.
Risk-based approach: not all lone work is equal. The checklist requires a risk assessment for each specific situation, ensuring controls are proportionate to the actual hazard.
Competence verification: confirms that the lone worker has the training, experience, fitness and equipment needed for the specific task.
Audit trail: completed checklists provide documented evidence of lone worker risk management for regulators, clients and insurers.

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When you move your checklists from paper to MapTrack, you get:

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Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
Escalate critical hazards instantly to safety managers via push notification.
Maintain an auditable safety register that satisfies WHS regulator requests.
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What to include in a lone worker safety checklist

This lone worker safety checklist covers 10 key areas:

Worker details: name, role, contact number, vehicle registration (if applicable), next of kin contact.
Lone work details: date, planned start and finish time, location (address, GPS coordinates or site name), description of tasks to be performed, reason for working alone.
Risk assessment: hazards specific to the task and location (manual handling, heights, electrical, confined spaces, hostile environment, violence or aggression, animals/wildlife, extreme weather, remote location), risk rating for each hazard, existing controls in place.
Communication plan: primary communication device (mobile phone, satellite phone, two-way radio, duress alarm), backup communication method, known dead zones or areas of poor coverage, check-in schedule (frequency and times), designated contact person and backup contact.
Check-in protocol: check-in method (phone call, SMS, app-based), check-in frequency (e.g. every 30 minutes, every hour), overdue check-in escalation procedure (e.g. attempt contact, send someone to location, notify emergency services), maximum time before escalation.
Emergency response: emergency procedures for likely scenarios (injury, vehicle breakdown, medical event, threatening behaviour, environmental emergency), location of nearest hospital or medical facility, emergency services access instructions (especially for remote locations).
Personal protective equipment: PPE required for the specific task, PPE condition verified, first aid kit present and stocked.
Worker fitness and competence: worker is physically fit for the task (no medical conditions that increase lone working risk), worker has completed relevant training (first aid, task-specific competencies, communication equipment), worker has been briefed on check-in procedures and emergency plan.
Vehicle and equipment: vehicle roadworthy and fuelled, emergency equipment in vehicle (first aid kit, water, torch, fire extinguisher, blanket, signage), GPS tracker or location-sharing active.
Sign-off: worker sign-off confirming they understand the plan and will follow check-in procedures, supervisor sign-off confirming the plan has been reviewed.

How to use this lone worker safety checklist

Identify all lone working situations and assess the risks specific to each task, location and worker.: Before assigning lone work, list every task that will be performed and the location where it will occur. Identify the hazards specific to working alone in that context: Can the worker be injured and unable to call for help? Is the location remote with limited communication coverage? Are there environmental hazards (heat, cold, flooding, wildlife)? Is there a risk of violence or aggression from clients or the public? Rate each risk considering the likelihood and consequence if the worker is alone. Use this assessment to determine whether the task can be performed safely by a lone worker or whether additional controls, a buddy system or task redesign is needed.
Establish a communication plan with check-in schedule, designated contacts and escalation procedures for missed check-ins.: Select a communication device appropriate to the location: a mobile phone is sufficient in areas with reliable coverage, but a satellite phone, EPIRB or satellite-connected GPS device is required in remote areas. Set a check-in schedule based on the risk level: high-risk tasks may require check-ins every 15 to 30 minutes, while lower-risk tasks may require hourly check-ins. Designate a primary contact person and a backup. Define the escalation procedure clearly: if a check-in is missed by [X minutes], the contact person calls the worker; if no answer within [Y minutes], the contact person sends someone to the worker location; if the worker cannot be located within [Z minutes], emergency services are notified. Write the schedule and escalation steps on the checklist so both the worker and the contact person have the same document.
Verify the worker fitness, competence and equipment. Confirm they understand the check-in protocol and emergency procedures.: Confirm that the worker is physically fit for the task and has no medical conditions that would increase the risk of working alone (e.g. epilepsy, insulin-dependent diabetes, cardiac conditions). Verify that the worker holds the necessary competencies for the tasks (licences, tickets, first aid certificate). Check that the communication device is charged, functional and has coverage at the planned location. Confirm that the vehicle (if used) is roadworthy, fuelled and equipped with emergency supplies. Brief the worker on the check-in schedule, the escalation procedure, and what to do in each emergency scenario documented on the checklist.
Execute the check-in schedule during the lone work period. Monitor for missed check-ins and follow the escalation procedure immediately.: The designated contact person must be available and actively monitoring for check-ins throughout the entire lone work period. When a check-in is received, log the time and the worker status on the checklist or in the monitoring system. If a check-in is missed, begin the escalation procedure immediately. Do not assume the worker is simply busy. Even a short delay in escalation can be critical in remote locations or for medical emergencies. If using MapTrack or a similar system, automated alerts can be triggered when a check-in is overdue, removing the reliance on manual monitoring.
Close out the lone work session. Confirm the worker has returned safely and complete the checklist with any observations or issues for review.: When the worker completes their tasks and returns (or checks in as finished), the contact person logs the time and confirms the session is closed. The worker should report any hazards encountered, near misses, equipment issues, communication problems or other observations during the lone work period. Record these on the checklist for review. If any issues are identified, raise corrective actions with responsible persons and due dates. File the completed checklist as part of the lone worker risk management records.

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How often should you complete this checklist?

A lone worker safety checklist should be completed before every lone work session. The underlying risk assessment should be reviewed whenever the task, location, worker or conditions change, and as part of a routine review at least annually.

Safe Work Australia guidance on working alone recommends that the risk assessment be reviewed whenever the worker's role, location, hours or communication arrangements change. WHS Regulations 2011 require the PCBU to manage risks associated with remote or isolated work under Part 3.1. Organisations should set minimum check-in frequencies based on the hazard profile of each lone work activity, and verify that all communication devices and duress alarms are tested and functional before each lone work period begins.

Frequently asked questions

What are the legal requirements for lone worker safety in Australia?: Under the WHS Act s19, the PCBU has a primary duty of care to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all workers, including those who work alone. WHS Regulations Chapter 3 Part 3.1 requires the PCBU to identify hazards, assess risks and implement controls. While there is no standalone lone worker regulation in the model WHS laws, Safe Work Australia guidance and codes of practice make clear that the PCBU must assess the additional risks created by lone working and implement controls proportionate to the risk. This includes establishing communication systems, check-in procedures, emergency response plans and monitoring arrangements. AS/NZS 4801 provides a framework for occupational health and safety management systems that includes lone worker provisions.
How often should a lone worker check in?: Check-in frequency should be based on the risk level of the task and location. For high-risk tasks (work at heights, confined spaces, remote locations with poor coverage, tasks involving dangerous equipment), check-ins every 15 to 30 minutes are appropriate. For moderate-risk tasks (field inspections, maintenance at known sites, driving in areas with reliable coverage), hourly check-ins are typical. For lower-risk tasks (office work after hours, work from home), a check-in at start and end of the session may be sufficient. The key principle is that the check-in frequency must be short enough that a missed check-in triggers help before the consequences of an incident become irreversible.
What communication devices are suitable for lone workers in remote areas?: In remote areas where mobile phone coverage is unreliable, lone workers should carry a satellite phone, a satellite-connected personal locator beacon (PLB) or EPIRB, or a satellite GPS messenger device (such as a Garmin inReach or SPOT Gen4) that can send check-in messages, SOS alerts and GPS coordinates via satellite. Two-way UHF/VHF radios are useful for communication within a defined area but have limited range. For the highest-risk remote work, consider a combination: a satellite phone for voice communication, a GPS tracker for continuous location monitoring, and a PLB as a last-resort emergency device. Test all devices at the work location before relying on them.
What should happen when a lone worker misses a check-in?: A missed check-in must trigger an immediate and predefined escalation procedure. The typical sequence is: the contact person attempts to reach the worker via the primary communication device within 5 minutes of the missed check-in; if no contact is made, the contact person tries the backup communication method and contacts any nearby workers or site contacts within the next 10 minutes; if the worker is still uncontactable, a person is dispatched to the worker last known location; if the worker cannot be located within the timeframe specified in the plan, emergency services (000) are contacted with the worker last known GPS coordinates and task details. The escalation timeframes should be defined in the checklist before work begins and agreed by both the worker and the contact person.
Is this lone worker safety checklist free to download?: Yes. Download and use this lone worker safety checklist for free. Open the file in your browser and use Print then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account is required. If you want digital lone worker management with GPS check-ins, automated escalation alerts, location tracking and a complete audit trail, MapTrack can help. Book a demo to see how it works.

Applicable regulatory standards

This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:

WHS Act 2011 - s19 Primary duty of care
WHS Regulations 2011 - Chapter 3 Part 3.1 (Managing risks to health and safety)
AS/NZS 4801 - Occupational health and safety management systems
Safe Work Australia - Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities
Safe Work Australia - Guide: Working alone

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