If your business has people working alone, it’s crucial to understand how the New Zealand Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016 (GRWM Regulations) apply.

The short answer: you have the same duty of care to lone workers as to all other workers. This includes managing risks, providing training and personal protective equipment (PPE) where necessary, and maintaining robust emergency plans.

Understanding the regulations

The GRWM Regulations sit under New Zealand’s Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) and require Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs), including business owners, contractors, and self-employed people, to manage workplace risks so they do not impact the health and safety of anyone.

Key responsibilities include:

• Consultation: Engaging all workers who may be affected by health and safety risks, and consulting with other businesses or contractors where relevant.
• Safe workplaces and facilities: Ensuring the workplace is free from hazards, with appropriate lighting, ventilation, and sanitary facilities.
• Training, instruction, and supervision: Providing workers with the knowledge and guidance to work safely.
• Provision of PPE: Supplying suitable protective equipment where risks cannot be eliminated.
• Emergency planning: Developing clear procedures for responding to emergencies, including evacuation routes, medical assistance, and effective communication with all workers.

Compliance is based on what is reasonably practicable, meaning steps should be proportionate to the risk and feasible under the circumstances.

Lone workers and their unique risks

All duties under the GRWM Regulations apply equally to lone workers (those working remotely or in isolation). Lone workers face additional challenges, such as:

• Limited or unreliable communication options.
• Inability to call for help if injured, unconscious, or threatened.
• Isolation from colleagues, supervisors, or emergency services.

Effectively managing these risks is essential to meet regulatory obligations.

Emergency plans for lone workers

Emergency planning is one of the most critical requirements under the GRWM Regulations. For lone workers, your plans should clearly outline:

• How emergency services will be notified if a lone worker is injured or in danger.
• How senior management or coordinators maintain communication with lone workers during emergencies.
• Procedures for providing assistance, including medical support.

Practical challenges for lone workers mean that traditional office‑based approaches are insufficient. Emergency planning must consider remote locations, limited connectivity, and delayed access to help.

Practical solutions to comply

WorkSafe New Zealand guidance recommends reliable communication and monitoring systems for lone workers. Solutions may include:

Combining technology with risk assessment, training, and clear procedures ensures compliance and protects lone workers effectively.

Considerations for the future

• The GRWM Regulations remain in full force, and duties for lone workers continue to apply.
• Compliance should always be risk-based and reasonably practicable, with measures tailored to the work environment and the specific hazards faced by lone workers.
• Proposed reforms in may reduce obligations for small, low-risk businesses, but core responsibilities for lone worker safety will continue.

Key takeaways

• All PCBUs must protect all workers, including lone workers, under GRWM Regulations.
• Emergency planning and reliable communication systems are critical for remote or isolated workers.
• Personal safety devices, GPS tracking, two-way messaging, check-in systems, and emergency training are effective tools for compliance.
• Compliance requires reasonably practicable steps, not absolute perfection, and must be tailored to each work context.

By implementing these measures, your business can meet regulatory requirements while keeping lone workers safe, even in high-risk or isolated environments.

References

1. Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. legislation.govt.nz
2. Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016. legislation.govt.nz
3. WorkSafe New Zealand, General Risk and Workplace Management – Part 1. worksafe.govt.nz
4. WorkSafe New Zealand, General Risk and Workplace Management – Part 2. worksafe.govt.nz
5. WorkSafe New Zealand, Guidance for remote or isolated work and lone workers. worksafe.govt.nz