Part 3
Sudden illnesses and medical emergencies
Sudden medical episodes – such as heart attacks, strokes, seizures, or diabetic crises – can strike any workplace, from offices to construction sites. They have become recognised as a serious workplace hazard in the past decade. In the UK, emergency crews attempt resuscitation at over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) each year. Sadly, survival remains low, with fewer than 1 in 10 people surviving an OHCA.
For lone workers, such emergencies are perilous. Isolation means it can take a long time for anyone to notice something is wrong and get help. This delay can turn a potentially treatable event into a tragedy, making rapid emergency response measures crucial for lone employees.
Example cases:
Office cardiac arrest with delayed response
A 59-year-old employee suffered a heart attack at his desk. A Fatal Accident Inquiry found an 85-minute ambulance delay and highlighted triage/system defects. The man was sadly later pronounced dead.
Security guard found unresponsive after night shifts
A G4S guard working a Glastonbury event was discovered dead in his tent on site. Police said the death was not suspicious, underscoring how illness can go unnoticed when staff are isolated.
Mitigation strategies:
Manage health screenings & fitness-for-duty: Pre-placement and periodic checks for safety-critical roles (drivers, operators, lone/remote). Seek medical advice before approving lone work with relevant conditions; provide accommodations (e.g., diabetes management kits, seizure-safe tasking).
Practice CPR/AED readiness: Place AEDs where people work; train multiple staff per shift; drill the “recognise → call → CPR → AED” chain. Designate first-aiders and ensure <4-minute response in life-threatening cases. Stock task-appropriate first aid (EpiPen, glucose gel).
Have emergency action plans: Clear roles (who calls, who brings AED, who guides EMS), posted numbers, routine drills. Empower workers to stop work when someone feels unwell; teach FAST (stroke) and cardiac red-flags.
Lone-worker protections: Prohibit lone working for defined high-risk tasks (e.g., high-risk sites, confined spaces) and document the exceptions. Run timed check-ins with automatic, immediate escalation when a check-in is missed. Equip workers with man-down/fall-detection wearables with GPS and panic/SOS, backed by 24/7 monitoring, and ensure reliable comms (radio/mobile/satellite) with precise location sharing.
Work design & wellness: Manage overtime; schedule rest/breaks; heat plans (acclimatisation, shaded rest, water/electrolytes, work-rest cycles); encourage early reporting of symptoms without stigma.
Train & raise awareness: Recognise cardiac/stroke/heat illness signs; rehearse lone-worker emergency steps; supervisors coach on workload and fitness to work each shift.
