New Hampshire’s economy spans healthcare, manufacturing, forestry, and utilities—industries where lone workers are often essential. From home health aides to remote utility technicians, many workers in the Granite State perform their duties in isolation, often without immediate supervision. This creates unique safety challenges that require careful planning and dedicated safety measures.
New Hampshire does not operate its own OSHA-approved state plan. As a result, federal OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has sole jurisdiction over occupational safety and health enforcement in private-sector workplaces. Public-sector workers in New Hampshire are not covered by OSHA regulations, placing a greater responsibility on state agencies and employers to voluntarily promote safety.
Since federal OSHA governs occupational safety in New Hampshire, employers must comply with federal standards, including the General Duty Clause, which mandates that workplaces be free of recognized hazards that may cause injury or death. Although there is no regulation specifically for lone workers, OSHA expects employers to address the unique risks posed by working alone.
New Hampshire’s Department of Labor (NH DOL) oversees various aspects of worker protection, including wage laws, youth labor, and whistleblower protections, but it does not enforce OSHA safety standards. Still, the department provides guidance and may collaborate with federal agencies or local employers to encourage workplace safety awareness.
New Hampshire law does not offer an official definition of a lone worker, nor does federal OSHA. However, the concept generally applies to employees who work without direct supervision and may not be able to call for help or receive assistance immediately in the event of an emergency.
Typical lone worker roles in New Hampshire include:
Employers are responsible for identifying these roles and implementing proper safety precautions to reduce the risks associated with working alone.
To protect lone workers in New Hampshire, employers should adopt a comprehensive risk management approach tailored to the specific hazards of isolated work. This includes both physical safety and mental well-being, particularly in remote or high-stress environments.
Key safety strategies include:
These measures are consistent with OSHA’s expectations under the General Duty Clause and help ensure a safer working environment for all employees.
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The Safe Lone Worker app offers an efficient, tech-forward solution for employers in New Hampshire who need to monitor and protect employees working in isolation. With features like automatic check-ins, fall detection, GPS location tracking, and panic alerts, the app allows supervisors to maintain real-time awareness of worker status and location.
Employers in industries such as home healthcare, facilities management, and field services can use the app to improve compliance with federal safety expectations while reducing response time in emergencies and strengthening peace of mind for employees.
Because New Hampshire does not administer its own OSHA plan, all private-sector employers must follow federal OSHA standards for workplace safety. While there is no specific regulation for lone workers, employers are still obligated under the General Duty Clause to protect employees from foreseeable risks—including those posed by working alone.
This article is intended as general guidance and should not be considered a replacement for official regulatory advice or legal consultation.
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