2025 Lone & Mobile Worker Statistics and Trends No Business Should Ignore

The workplace is evolving, and with it, so are the challenges of protecting employees. For many industries, lone workers have become an essential part of operations—whether it's home healthcare providers, delivery drivers, retail employees, or field technicians. In North America alone, more than 25 million people work alone regularly, and this number continues to grow. But with this rise comes an urgent need for better safety measures, especially as the risks they face show no signs of going away.

We recently led a webinar where we explored the trends shaping lone worker safety in 2025, from rising vulnerabilities to legislative updates and the role of connected technology. Read along to learn some of our key takeaways.

Lone workers on the rise

Lone workers span a wide range of industries, including healthcare, community services, education, public sector, utilities, and more. Each of these workers faces unique risks tied to their roles. Post-pandemic staffing shortages have also intensified the issue, with many industries remaining understaffed and requiring employees to take on isolated roles. Healthcare, for instance, is rapidly transitioning from facility-based care to home-based care, increasing the number of lone healthcare workers. As over 53 million lone workers operate across Canada, the United States, North America, and Europe, it’s clear that businesses must prioritize their safety now more than ever.

When people work alone, organizations have an obligation to mitigate the risks they face. Failing to act leads to tangible costs—outcomes such as workplace incidents, staff burnout, difficulty retaining employees, and challenges in attracting new talent. Beyond the immediate financial implications, such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fines or legal expenses, neglecting worker safety can damage a brand’s reputation and its ability to remain competitive in the cultural zeitgeist, and most importantly, put their people at risk of injury or worse. By building a strong safety culture, organizations can foster loyalty and strengthen their workforce.

Nearly every industry has subsets of lone or mobile workers. Over time, we’ve seen significant changes in their roles. For example, hospitals are increasingly focused on transitioning patients to home-based recovery, which requires healthcare workers like nurses and aides to make home visits. Similarly, the explosion of delivery services—from groceries to Amazon packages—has resulted in a growing number of workers driving into unfamiliar neighborhoods and meeting unpredictable people. 

Retail, ranking as the 9th most dangerous US career heading into 2025, is another sector deeply affected; since COVID-19, many stores remain understaffed, leaving lone retail workers particularly vulnerable. Consider gas station attendants, who often work alone with cash on hand, making them targets for theft and violence. Another unique example is curbside pickups, where they may interact with strangers at night, in all kinds of weather, meaning they can be robbed or fall over.

These roles have one thing in common: they operate in uncontrolled environments every single day. Whether entering unfamiliar homes or navigating new communities, these workers face a constant element of unpredictability.

The risks we faced last year aren’t going anywhere

In 2024, Aware360’s platforms monitored over 639,573 worker shifts and actioned 22,067 SOS calls. More than 955 incidents required 911 response activations. These figures highlight a grim reality: the threats lone workers faced last year aren’t going away. From verbal threats and physical violence to severe environmental conditions, the need for robust safety protocols has never been greater. 

Rising vulnerabilities facing workers in 2025

The vulnerabilities facing lone workers in 2025 can be summarized by social, occupational, climate, and connectivity risks. 

Social risks

Violence, verbal abuse, and harassment are increasing in traditionally low-risk industries like retail, education, and healthcare. Retail employees report feeling unprotected, particularly when working alone in stores where looting or theft is a concern. Healthcare workers face an alarming average of 57 workplace assaults per day in the U.S. Maintenance workers, such as janitors cleaning bus station bathrooms, also experience safety challenges in transient and unpredictable environments.

Occupational risks

Certain professions inherently carry higher risks. According to a study by DeMayo Law Group analyzing U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the most dangerous U.S. careers include:

• Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting: With a fatal injury rate of 18.6 per 100,000 workers, this sector leads due to hazardous machinery and remote working conditions.
• Transportation and warehousing: A fatal injury rate of 14.1 per 100,000 workers, driven by vehicle-related accidents in trucking and logistics.
• Construction: Despite safety regulations, this industry records 1,069 fatalities annually, with a fatal injury rate of 9.6 per 100,000 workers due to falls and equipment hazards.
• Wholesale trade: This sector faces a fatality rate of 5.4 per 100,000 workers, mainly from material handling and transport.
• Educational and health services: While this sector has a lower fatality rate of 0.8 per 100,000 workers, workplace violence and accidents remain significant risks.

Connectivity demands

Reliable connectivity is critical for lone worker safety, yet many still face challenges with inconsistent cellular coverage. Advances in satellite-based technologies are beginning to address these gaps, ensuring that even the most remote workers remain connected.

Climate change

Severe weather events such as floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes are growing in frequency and intensity. These events put lone and mobile workers in dangerous situations, especially those involved in emergency response or cleanup efforts.

The legislative shift toward better worker safety

Governments are stepping up to improve worker safety, with significant changes happening across North America:

• United States: OSHA’s General Duty Clause now emphasizes the importance of providing lone workers with safety solutions, such as panic buttons. The Retail Worker Safety Act in New York, for example, enhanced the safety and well-being of retail employees across New York State. In 2025, California's New Retail Security Laws will go into effect updating workplace violence prevention protocols as well.
• Canada: Known for proactive worker protections, Canada continues to lead in safety regulations. Recent updates mandate stricter protocols to safeguard lone and mobile workers.
• Industry-specific changes: The hospitality, healthcare, and retail sectors are seeing new mandates for wearable devices, mobile safety apps, and silent alert systems to ensure rapid responses to emergencies.

Growing grant opportunities to support worker safety

Budget constraints often hinder safety initiatives, but increasing grant opportunities are helping businesses take action. Programs like OSHA’s Susan Harwood Training Grants and state-specific funding initiatives in the U.S. are making it easier to invest in safety solutions. Federal-level databases like Grants.com and resources like GrantWatch.com provide tools to find applicable funding for your industry and region.

Businesses turn to connected technology for safer workforces

We live in a world where being connected is no longer optional. Connected technologies are revolutionizing worker safety by ensuring that no one is left without support when they need it most. Real-time alert systems, precise GPS monitoring, and even fall detection features are helping businesses respond faster and smarter to incidents. For workers in remote areas, satellite-enabled devices ensure communication remains intact even when cellular signals fail. These advancements are not just about compliance; they’re about empowering organizations to protect their people, maintain trust, and create a safety-first culture.

What safety managers should look for in a solution?

Safety managers should consider the following features that safety devices and platforms offer:

• Real-time alerting: Immediate notifications to designated recipients through email, SMS, or Slack.
• Location modalities: Support for GPS, cellular, WiFi, and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) for precise indoor and outdoor positioning.
• Hyper-reporting: Continuous location updates during SOS events to ensure accurate real-time tracking.
• Event reporting: Comprehensive reporting of incidents to facilitate OSHA compliance.
• Security and privacy: Adherence to industry standards like SOC 2, TRUSTe, and HIPAA for data protection and regulatory compliance.

Aware360’s suite of safety solutions, including the AlertGPS ActiveHalo® device, integrates seamlessly into these innovations. ActiveHalo® supports first responders and lone workers alike by providing reliable, real-time monitoring and communication—wherever they are.

Why is Aware360 the right choice for worker safety?

Aware360’s connected safety solutions provide comprehensive tools to protect your workforce:

• Never miss a critical event: Real-time alerts, customizable notifications, and a scalable cloud-based dashboard ensure every event is tracked to completion.
• Companion mode: An SOS button connects workers directly to trained dispatchers who provide support and stay on the line until help arrives.
• Continuous support: Professionally trained agents follow detailed action plans, dispatch emergency services, and keep managers informed during stressful situations.
• Flexible connectivity: The system integrates with leading safety devices such as smartphones, satellite devices, panic buttons, BLE beacons, and fall detectors to ensure workers remain connected regardless of their environment.

Lone workers are the backbone of many industries and their safety must be a priority. With the right tools, technology, and training, you can protect your team while meeting regulatory demands. Don’t wait for an incident to happen before you consider lone worker safety measures.