Do I need to provide my staff with a lone worker alarm under Australian WHS laws?
Australian WHS law doesn’t specify a lone worker alarm by name, but it does require employers to eliminate or minimise risks to workers in isolation[cite: 134]. For most lone worker scenarios, providing a monitoring device or app is one of the most reasonably practicable controls available [cite: 135].
What Australian Law Actually Requires
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and its state equivalents don’t produce a list of mandatory devices[cite: 137]. Instead, they require PCBUs to identify hazards, assess risk, and implement controls that are reasonably practicable[cite: 138]. For a lone worker, the hazard is simple — they cannot get help quickly if something goes wrong[cite: 139]. A monitoring device or check-in system directly addresses that hazard [cite: 140].
How Regulators Assess Lone Worker Controls
- SafeWork Australia guidance recommends electronic monitoring for higher-risk lone worker scenarios [cite: 142]
- The absence of any monitoring system is difficult to defend if an incident occurs [cite: 143]
- Controls must be proportionate to risk — a higher-risk role demands a more robust solution [cite: 144]
- Manual check-ins alone are generally not considered sufficient for remote or high-risk environments [cite: 145]
- Workers should be consulted when selecting devices — adoption matters as much as procurement [cite: 146]
Making Compliance Straightforward
Guardian Angel Safety makes it easy to implement a defensible, documented lone worker monitoring system[cite: 148]. Our platform gives you real-time visibility, automated check-in schedules, and a full audit trail[cite: 149]. We provide the documentation and evidence you need to demonstrate compliance[cite: 150].