Lone Worker Services

Lone workers can be found in a variety of industries, environments and situations. They must be armed with the right tools to protect themselves from safety threats.

Traveling health care and social work workers face the risk of accidents on their way to a client’s home or workplace. They also need a system that can alert emergency services if they are unable to call for help themselves.

Training





Whether they’re sales representatives, home care nurses, insurance claims adjusters, real estate agents, mortgage brokers, field based sales staff, chaplains, social workers, property managers, maintenance crews, utility workers, meter readers or others that operate alone, lone worker safety is an important issue. To help them keep themselves safe, they need to be aware of their surroundings and have a clear plan in place if they encounter potential danger.

Ideally, employers should train lone workers on the company’s lone working policy, as well as any specific risks they may face while at work. It is also important to make lone workers aware of emergency procedures, including how and where they can call for assistance.

For lone workers, the ability to de-escalate situations quickly is critical. A training program that teaches employees about communication skills and recognizing behavioral cues can make them more likely to identify danger and to respond appropriately.

Companies should also consider implementing a system that allows for a designated 'Champions' in each department, individuals who are responsible for organizing employee training, answering any health and safety-related questions, and embodying a 'best practices' model for others to follow. By having these 'Champions' available, employees can feel confident that their company is committed to their wellbeing. lone worker devices RoSPA approved & CPD accredited, this essential eLearning course increases the safety of lone workers by teaching them how to prevent aggression in the workplace, recognise and implement diffusion tactics for aggressive behaviour.

Communication

Lone working can expose workers to a number of hazards that make regular communication a must. Whether it's physical violence or working in remote or hazardous areas, these situations are much more likely when employees work by themselves. According to HSE guidance, lone working employees should be regularly checked in and have a way of calling for help if they are uncomfortable or unsafe. Communication solutions like two-way radios, smartphones with lone worker apps or even satellite messengers offer a way to check in, raise the alarm and remain connected with staff when it is needed most.

If you choose a system like Connecteam for your lone working staff, you can set up automated check-ins at pre-set intervals and receive escalated triggered alerts if these aren't acknowledged. This can provide peace of mind to your team and enables you to monitor their location, even when mobile and GPS networks are down.

Lone working solutions are held to rigorous standards to ensure that they can support your lone workers in the event of an emergency. In the UK, these systems must meet British Standard code of practice 8484 and Alarm Receiving Centres and Monitoring Stations must comply with BS 9518. Avoid multi-packs of cheap walkie talkies that don't hold up in an emergency – you want to rely on your solution to deliver when it matters most.

Check-Ins

Conducting regular safety check-ins is one of the most important precautions for any lone worker. These checks protect against a variety of safety hazards such as equipment malfunction, environmental factors or personal injury. If a lone worker misses their scheduled check-in, management can follow an escalation procedure determined by the company’s safety policy and the employee’s risk profile.

It’s important to work with a company that offers a variety of options for checking in, including a lone worker safety app. These apps allow managers to log in and view all check-ins on a dashboard, which makes it easy to spot those who have missed their call. Some apps also include features such as a panic button, discreet panic, non-movement alert and duress PIN, which make it easier for employees to request assistance from their supervisor if they need it.

A lone worker safety app can help you create a monitoring plan that’s unique to your employees’ needs. The plan considers the risks of each employee, their environment and the frequency of check-ins required. It can even incorporate a variety of different emergency protocols and responses based on the level of risk of a situation, such as the ability to send a text message or to connect via video chat. By implementing these safety solutions, you can protect your employees and reduce your liability while creating a positive work culture.

Emergency Response

Lone workers face different safety hazards than employees who work with others, requiring unique protection and monitoring solutions. By developing a comprehensive program, you can ensure your people have the tools they need to be safe in any situation that arises.

While it is common for lone workers to wear PPE, this isn’t enough when it comes to protecting them from hazardous working conditions. It is critical that procedures are put in place to monitor the whereabouts of lone workers, including scheduling wellness checks and GPS tracking/locating devices.

For example, traveling health care workers, social workers, and other lone professionals may be at risk of being attacked or robbed on the way to their next job. They also need a reliable, discreet way to alert their manager that they are in danger, such as a panic button that can be activated with the press of a button. This feature should be integrated with a 24/7 emergency response monitoring solution to escalate missed check-ins and duress alerts according to the company’s lone worker policy.

The lone worker service COMPASS Pro, for example, offers these features and more. It includes a smart, portable device that has one-button SOS, voice to voice communication, fall detection, geo-fencing, and GPS tracking/locating. It also offers an emergency escalation chain so that if the lone worker isn’t able to respond, the next person in the chain will receive an alarm.