Conference Agenda

The nature of work has evolved rapidly, reshaping the profile of lone working across sectors. Hybrid and remote models, the growth of gig and field-based employment, and advances in automation have expanded the number of workers operating without immediate supervision or peer support. This shift brings renewed focus to psychosocial, ergonomic, and security risks that are often less visible but increasingly significant.Recent legislative developments, including the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act) Act 2023, have strengthened the duty on employers to take reasonable steps to protect workers from harassment and harm. For organisations managing dispersed or digitally mediated teams, compliance now extends beyond traditional workplace boundaries, demanding new forms of oversight, engagement, and technological support. This session will examine how OSH professionals can respond to these challenges through integrated strategies that address both physical and psychological safety. Key themes include: Identifying and assessing emerging risks in lone and remote work contexts; Embedding proactive compliance with the Worker Protection Act within organisational culture; and developing adaptive risk management frameworks that reflect the realities of a fragmented workforce.By bringing together perspectives from policy, research, and practice, the session will highlight how organisations can safeguard lone workers while fostering inclusion, accountability, and resilience in the modern workplace.