A worker is considered “working alone”, when they are the only worker present at a worksite, cannot be seen or heard by another worker, and/or where assistance is not readily available in the event of an injury, threat or illness.
Keep in mind, even when multiple workers are working together, some tasks may require a single worker to separate from the team and work alone.
As a result, lone working may be a constituent part of a person’s job or it could occur on an infrequent basis. These individuals may be indoors, outdoors, in remote locations or in vehicles. An incident can happen suddenly due to:
- illness
- on-the-job injury
- exposure to chemicals & the elements
- physical violence from intruders
- prospective clients, members of the public and animals
3 Essential Steps to Improve Working Alone Safety in Your Organization
- Establish a Safety Protocol
- Develop written safety procedures that clearly outline potential risks, preventive measures, and emergency responses. Ensure these procedures are tailored to the specific roles and environments of your workers.
- Use Advanced Technology
- Equip workers with devices like AlertGPS, featuring a one-touch SOS button for emergencies and non-emergencies. These devices also provide real-time location tracking and mass notification alerts, monitored 24/7 by trained professionals.
- Rehearse Emergency Drills
- Practice safety drills regularly to ensure workers know how to respond in emergencies. For devices like AlertGPS’s Active Halo, these drills are simple—workers only need to press one button rather than struggle with a phone.
By combining effective protocols, advanced technology, and regular training, employers can significantly improve working alone safety and ensure the well-being of workers in any environment.
Technology for Safer Workplaces
Safe work practices, protective equipment, hazard reduction and proper training have traditionally played a critical role ensuring workers perform their duties confidently, efficiently and safely.
However, when dealing with mobile workers, safety monitoring technology provides a layer of protection that allows employers to promptly detect a situation where help is required and provides emergency response around the clock.
Prevention is only the beginning. A rigorous safety program should also look at risk detection, alerting, notification and incident response.
When time matters, being able to quickly isolate the precise location of a worker and accurately share critical data with emergency response personnel could mean the difference between life and death.
A growing number of smartphone apps are giving users the ability to press a ‘panic button’ during an emergency. While these apps have the right idea—improving instant notification—the execution is insufficient. It is easy to assume that a mobile worker who is experiencing a threat, violence or crisis may instantly launch into the “fight-or-flight” response.
Unfortunately, many workers simply freeze. In that frozen moment, they fumble for their smartphone; they forget the password that unlocks it; they forget their current location; and they may even forget the English language, especially if it’s not their native tongue. Also, due to their size, smartphones and some GPS devices may not be very discreet, and may be visible to an assailant.
More advanced safety wearable technologies overcome these limitations by discreetly allowing workers to quickly and easily issue calls for help to trained response personnel who can take appropriate action.
Prioritizing Safety and Taking Action
Taking action to protect lone workers is an investment in your people and your business. By combining clear safety protocols, reliable technology like AlertGPS, and regular training, you can create a safer, more productive work environment for everyone. Ready to get started? Contact us today to learn more about improving working alone safety in your organization.