To ask the Minister for the Economy what steps have been taken in terms of monitoring lone worker potential health and safety risks that may arise due to social distancing or reduced staffing.

Employers have a legal duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all employees as far as is reasonably possible, including lone workers. Any lone worker health and safety matters should be identified in a risk assessment by an employer. General advice can be found at https://www.hse.gov.uk/lone-working/. In the current pandemic this may include issues such as working at home or away from the normal work location. Employers should consider measures to keep in touch with employees, monitor workloads and ensure they can do their work safely.

Employers have the same health and safety responsibilities for those working from home as for any other workers. Advice can be found at https://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/workers/home.htm.

Lone workers, like any worker, must take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be harmed by their actions at work. Lone workers must cooperate with their employers and other workers to help everyone meet their duties under the law.