Health and Safety in the Gig Economy: Lone Worker Safety

The rise of the gig economy has revolutionised the way we work—but are businesses doing enough to protect the health and safety of their casual and freelance workers?

Duty of Care for Gig Workers and Lone Workers: What Employers Must Know

How the Gig Economy Impacts Lone Worker Safety

In recent years, the gig economy has experienced explosive growth—driven by app-based platforms like Uber, Deliveroo, and Amazon Flex. This flexible employment model appeals to both workers and employers. But with that flexibility comes a legal and ethical responsibility to protect worker safety, especially in remote or lone working conditions.

According to the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD), over 5% of the UK’s workforce—equating to more than 1.5 million people—operate within the gig economy. As more businesses utilise short-term contractors, freelancers, and zero-hour workers, understanding the associated risks is essential.

Lone Worker Safety and Employment Status in the Gig Economy

A worker's legal rights are heavily influenced by their employment status—whether they’re classed as an Employee, a Worker, or Self-Employed. Recent legal cases, such as the Supreme Court ruling involving Uber, have resulted in gig workers receiving basic employment protections, including minimum wage and holiday pay.

For employers, this means reviewing how they categorise gig workers—and whether they’re meeting legal obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

For more guidance on employment status, visit the TUC Employment Rights page.

Health and Safety Responsibilities for Employers of Lone and Gig Workers

Regardless of employment status, all workers are owed a duty of care. That includes:

Providing a safe and healthy working environment
Delivering adequate training
Ensuring workers are competent to carry out tasks safely

Even in flexible or informal arrangements, employers must assess risks and implement control measures to protect worker wellbeing.

Lone Worker Safety: Who Is Responsible in Gig Work Environments?

In any working arrangement, the duty holder is the person or organisation responsible for the worker’s safety in the place they carry out their role. This may not always be the employer. For example, a delivery driver working independently in customer locations requires proactive risk assessment from both their employer and any third party involved.

In shared or multi-agency environments, such as courier services or security subcontractors, responsibility must be clearly agreed between parties. Open communication and joint planning are vital to ensure consistent safety protocols.

Lone Working in the Gig Economy

Many gig economy workers—such as drivers, couriers, and field-based freelancers—work alone. While this model offers operational flexibility, it introduces higher risks, including:

Increased vulnerability to injury or assault
Delays in receiving emergency help
Lack of oversight or mental health support

Employers must consider lone working within their risk assessments and ensure support systems are in place.

Key Lone Working Questions to Ask When Managing Gig Workers

Do workers have a reliable way to call for help in emergencies?

Could lone worker technology—like safety apps or panic alarms—enhance protection?

Has your lone worker policy been adapted to include gig workers?

Are safety policies clearly communicated and consistently followed?

Best Practices to Protect Lone Workers in the Gig Economy

To build a strong safety culture around gig working:

Establish robust training and onboarding processes
Implement lone worker monitoring tools
Use digital systems to track policy compliance
Appoint safety champions across contractor teams
Encourage reporting of safety concerns or incidents

With the right systems in place, organisations can improve engagement, reduce risk, and fulfil legal obligations—even in fast-paced, non-traditional work environments.

Protect Your Lone and Gig Workers with SoloProtect

SoloProtect supports businesses with personal safety solutions tailored to the gig economy. Whether you're managing delivery drivers, mobile engineers, or zero-hour contractors, we can help you meet your duty of care and reduce risk.

Book a free demo, request a quote, or get answers to your questions: