Public utility workers in the United States work tirelessly to ensure that our public buildings and facilities are able to provide essential services to our communities. These skilled professionals maintain and repair local infrastructure such as water and plumbing systems, electricity, heating, and building and landscaping maintenance. While they play a vital role in keeping our communities running smoothly, they also face occupational safety risks due to the nature of their work, which often requires them to work long, late hours and may involve working alone or in isolation.
A lone worker is an individual who works without close supervision or the presence of coworkers, either in a situation where help is not readily available or in an environment where they may be isolated from others. This could include working in a remote location, working with members of the public while not being accompanied by coworkers, or working in confined spaces where access to help is limited. Lone workers can be found in a variety of industries and may perform a range of tasks, from working in forests or on buildings to operating heavy machinery or performing maintenance in confined spaces. Regardless of the specific industry or job, lone workers face unique occupational risks due to their isolation from others.