Remote work has shifted from an exception to a normal part of business, but safety practices have not always kept pace. Many organisations assume remote workers face fewer risks because they are in familiar surroundings. In reality, working from home or in off-site environments introduces a different set of vulnerabilities – often harder to detect and slower to escalate.
The false sense of safety
When a worker is in an office, it is easy to notice when something is wrong. When they work remotely, those visual cues disappear. Hours can pass before anyone realises a worker hasn’t checked in, missed a meeting or failed to respond to messages.
Risks unique to remote work
Remote workers may face:
• Medical emergencies when no one else is present to recognise symptoms.
• Slips, trips and falls in home environments not designed for work.
• Poor ergonomics, leading to strain or injury.
• Mental health pressures from isolation, noise, or domestic conflict.
• Domestic abuse risk factors, which organisations may not be aware of.
• Unmonitored travel between appointments or co-working spaces.
• Security risks when entering public environments or changing locations.
These risks are often underestimated simply because they occur outside a traditional workplace.
Why duty of care still applies
Safety obligations do not disappear when a worker moves off-site. Employers still need to identify hazards, manage risk and provide appropriate tools and support. This includes monitoring wellbeing, providing safe equipment and having clear escalation procedures.
Tools that support safe remote work
Remote workers benefit from the same protective features as traditional lone workers, including:
• Duress alarms embedded in a safety app or device.
• Regular check-ins, either automated or scheduled.
• Audio prompts to confirm they are safe during long periods of silence.
• Location updates during higher-risk tasks or travel.
• Access to a professional monitoring centre that can escalate quickly.
• Structured reporting channels for incidents or near misses.
The aim is not surveillance. It is ensuring that if a worker needs help, someone knows.
Strengthening safety culture for remote teams
Technology helps, but culture fills the gaps. Strong remote safety culture often includes:
• Clear routines for check-ins that feel supportive rather than intrusive.
• Encouraging early reporting of hazards, discomfort or concerns.
• Managers having regular wellbeing conversations with their teams.
• Clear policies outlining expectations and escalation steps.
Remote workers should feel connected, confident and supported.
Final thought
Remote work may feel safe, but isolation creates real challenges. Organisations that take remote worker safety seriously protect their people, meet their obligations and reduce the long-term cost of unmanaged risk. With the right tools and habits, support can be immediate, even from miles away.
