Research highlights risks faced by engineers, inspectors and facilities teams working alone

Half of field-based workers have avoided tasks or locations because they felt unsafe while working alone, according to new research highlighting the risks faced by staff operating independently.

The Lone Worker Survey, conducted by safety technology provider SoloProtect, gathered responses from 2,500 frontline workers across sectors including construction, facilities management, housing, healthcare, and field-based engineering roles.

Across the survey, 50 per cent of lone workers said they had avoided a task or location because they felt unsafe, raising questions about the operational impact of lone working across technical and field service roles.

For workers responsible for site inspections, maintenance work, property checks and infrastructure visits, avoiding a task may mean delaying inspections, postponing work or waiting for additional staff to attend.

The research highlights the complex risks faced by employees who regularly work alone in dynamic environments such as construction sites, industrial locations, estates and remote infrastructure.

Environmental hazards were also identified as a significant risk. One in five respondents reported experiencing an environmental injury or near-miss while working alone, reflecting the challenges faced by workers operating in environments that may include uneven terrain, machinery, poor lighting or hazardous conditions.

While environmental risks are often associated with field-based roles, the survey also found that aggression and abuse remain a feature of lone working across many sectors, with 56 per cent of respondents experiencing verbal or physical abuse in the last 12 months.

In some cases, risks escalate further. The research found that 61 respondents reported being threatened with a weapon in the last 12 months.

As one survey respondent commented: “Sometimes you walk into situations that feel unpredictable, and being alone can make it harder to manage.”

The survey also highlighted potential gaps in incident reporting. While 64 per cent of respondents reported their last incident of abuse or aggression, more than a third did not report the incident. Among those who chose not to report incidents, common reasons included believing the incident was not serious enough or feeling that such behaviour had become normal.

Steve Hough, Managing Director at SoloProtect, said:

“Many engineers, inspectors and facilities teams regularly operate alone while carrying out essential work across sites, buildings and infrastructure.

“This research shows that while workers often feel confident in their roles, exposure to environmental hazards and unpredictable situations remains a reality. Understanding these experiences can help organisations strengthen how they support and protect employees working independently.”

The research also found that safety technology continues to play an important role in supporting lone workers. 77 per cent of respondents said their safety device provides reassurance, and 74 per cent said they would recommend a lone worker safety solution to others in similar roles.

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