Wyoming’s workforce includes many individuals working in geographically remote or hazardous environments such as oil and gas fields, agriculture, mining, and utility services. These employees, known as lone workers, often operate without direct supervision or immediate access to help in emergencies. Employers must take proactive steps to protect these workers and ensure their safety aligns with state and federal regulations.
Wyoming operates its own OSHA-approved State Plan, administered by the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS) through the Wyoming Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Wyoming OSHA). This means the state manages and enforces its own occupational safety and health program for both public and private sector employees.
Because Wyoming runs its own OSHA-approved State Plan, workplace safety standards are developed and enforced locally by Wyoming OSHA, rather than directly by federal OSHA. These standards are required to be “at least as effective” as federal rules and often tailored to the state’s industries and working conditions.
While Wyoming OSHA does not have a regulation specifically targeting lone workers, employers are required to evaluate worksite hazards, including those that arise from working alone. Employers must take necessary precautions to prevent injuries, especially in high-risk settings such as mining, energy, agriculture, and remote field operations.
The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services offers guidance and support through its consultation and compliance programs, helping businesses understand their responsibilities and improve workplace safety practices
Wyoming does not offer a legal definition of “lone worker” in its state plan or occupational health regulations. However, in practice, a lone worker is any employee who performs duties in isolation—without direct supervision or nearby coworkers.
In Wyoming, lone workers are frequently employed in:
Because of the state’s vast rural geography, these workers may be far from help in the event of injury or emergency, making employer safeguards essential.
Wyoming employers are required under the State Plan to identify and manage all workplace hazards, including those that stem from employee isolation. While there’s no specific “lone worker” statute, general duty obligations require organizations to implement reasonable protections to prevent harm.
Effective strategies include:
These steps help employers meet regulatory responsibilities and ensure a safer working environment for all employees.
With Loneworker.com you can be equipped with the knowledge and the means to protect your employees and protect your business. Contact us today to learn more about how Loneworker.com can protect you and your employees.
The Safe Lone Worker app is an ideal tool for Wyoming organizations to monitor and support remote employees in real time. The app offers key safety features such as GPS tracking, emergency panic buttons, automatic check-ins, and fall detection—helping employers respond quickly to incidents and maintain compliance with Wyoming OSHA safety standards.
This technology is especially useful in industries where workers are in the field, travel alone, or perform night shifts with minimal supervision.
Wyoming administers its own OSHA-approved occupational safety and health plan, meaning safety regulations are enforced by Wyoming OSHA, a division of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services. Although there is no specific regulation for lone workers, state law requires employers to protect all workers from foreseeable hazards, including those related to working in isolation.
Employers are encouraged to consult the Wyoming OSHA website for current rules, guidance, and consultation services. This article provides general information only and should not be considered a substitute for professional legal or regulatory advice.
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