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The UK’s estimated 8 million lone workers comprise 22% of the country’s workforce, and these figures are expected to increase in the future. These workers play an important role in a diverse range of industries, such as healthcare, housing, logistics, security, and social care, and in services such as the postal service and various local council departments. They can also face a disproportionate number of risks, which means lone worker safety should be a priority for their employers.
150 lone workers are verbally or physically attacked every day in the UK. Unfortunately, violence and aggression aren’t the only risks these vulnerable workers face. They’re also at risk of not receiving help if a medical emergency arises, loss of communication with coworkers or managers, psychological strain, accidents and injuries at work, and, in some cases, occupational hazards such as exposure to toxic gases or extreme weather conditions.
This is where advanced lone worker protection systems come in. Thanks to technological developments such as GPS tracking, geofencing, and machine learning, it’s easier than ever to raise the standard of lone worker safety. Find out how you can protect your solitary workers.
Top 5 Lone Worker Protection Systems
There are many different lone worker protection systems on the market, the best of which combine various technologies to offer a range of features. Here are the top five:
GPS Tracking
GPS tracking devices make it easy to keep track of solitary workers. These devices use satellite technology to track and report worker locations, which is especially helpful in emergency situations. The wide variety of these devices offers you various options, from standalone units to technologies that can be integrated with smartphones. The best GPS tracking devices offer features such as automatic incident detection, geofencing, and customisable alerts, as well as integration capabilities allowing you to use them with other lone worker safety solutions.
Lone Worker Safety Apps
Lone worker safety apps for smartphones offer communication and assistance features that are easy for solitary workers to access and use. Some, such as Crystal Ball’s Lone Worker Protection App, also have intuitive features that can alert you to potential emergencies. Our BS8484-accredited app’s features include GPS location tracking, a routine welfare check, a manual panic alarm, automated panic alarms, email and SMS notifications, a two-way open audio facility that triggers when the panic alarm activates, and Near Field Communication (NFC) technology that can automatically check workers in and out of pre-designated locations.
We offer two different lone worker safety apps. Mobile LWP offers the features mentioned above, while the more comprehensive Mobile Rescue option offers these features and access to a 24-hour alarm receiving centre, a monitoring centre, and historical event call recordings.
One-Touch Devices
One-touch devices are simple yet effective lone worker protection systems. When activated, they will alert you to lone workers in an emergency. Some one-touch devices also have an audible alarm, which can help first responders locate the worker. A range of options is available, such as panic/SOS alarms, duress or discreet panic alarms, check-in alarms, and assistance alarms.
Satellite Devices
Satellite devices use satellite technology to receive and send data, enabling solitary workers to stay in touch in remote locations where mobile connectivity is limited. Workers can use these devices for two-way communication with you, their supervisors, or colleagues, SOS alerts, and assistance requests. Some of these lone worker safety solutions also offer location tracking.
Fall Detection Devices
Fall detection devices are among the most basic lone worker protection systems. These wearable devices are designed to detect falls. If they detect a fall, they automatically alert emergency services or as many as ten designated contacts. Some of these cost-effective devices also have automatic check-in and no motion detection features. Due to their limited features, it’s best to use fall detection devices in conjunction with other lone worker safety systems.
Implement a Cohesive Lone Worker Safety Strategy
Rather than relying on any one lone worker protection system to enhance the safety of employees who work alone, it’s best to use a combination of solutions. For example, if some of your solitary workers work at great heights on buildings, cellular network towers, or other tall structures, you can issue them with lone worker protection apps, panic buttons, and fall detection devices.
It’s also best practice to create and implement a cohesive safety strategy for lone workers in which various technological solutions play a role. One of the biggest benefits of this approach is that you can cover as many bases as possible, enabling workers to request assistance or alert you or emergency services in emergency situations, whether they can communicate verbally or via text or they’re injured, semi-conscious, or unconscious.
The features of some lone worker protection systems offer other benefits when used as part of a comprehensive safety strategy. A few of these benefits include automating processes such as checking in and out of locations, identifying safer routes with the help of GPS tracking data, and ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Follow these tips to create a cohesive safety strategy for lone workers:
Conduct risk assessments: Conduct solitary worker risk assessments to identify potential hazards they may encounter in the course of their duties, paying attention to their task requirements, work environment, equipment, and environmental risks.
Establish a clear safety plan: Devise a lone worker safety plan with clear procedures, policies, and an outline of reporting mechanisms, safety procedures, and emergency protocols, and communicate it to all relevant employees.
Implement preventative measures: Implement measures aimed at proactively eliminating or reducing the risks faced by lone workers, tailoring them to specific tasks or environments.
Carry out ongoing monitoring and communication: Use safety solutions such as GPS tracking and Crystal Ball’s lone worker protection app for ongoing monitoring of and communication with employees who work alone, enabling them to contact you in an emergency.
Provide ongoing training: Provide solitary workers with ongoing training to ensure they thoroughly understand the safety strategy and know how to minimise the risk of emergencies or accidents at work.
Protect Lone Workers with Crystal Ball
Lone workers play important roles in almost every industry imaginable and deserve protection. In terms of UK law, employers have a duty and a responsibility to ensure the safety of these workers as much as possible.
Contact us to find out how Crystal Ball’s lone worker safety solutions can further enhance the safety of your employees who work alone.