We have all heard of lone workers.
And when you think about it, the definition of a lone worker seems pretty simple.
It is someone who works by themselves, right?
It's easy to think of a lone worker as someone who works in a really remote location or is on the road a lot - like up a mountain, down a mine shaft, or as a long-distance truck driver.
But, the definition of lone worker actually stretches much further than that.
You might have lone workers in your organisation that you are overlooking. And that's a safety concern.
When it comes to lone worker safety, there should be no compromise. So, let’s look at what you can do to protect them.
With Lone Worker Safety, There Is No Compromise
Identifying Lone Workers In Your Organisation
Before we jump into the nuts and bolts of a safety plan, it is vital that you identify the lone workers in your organisation first. That way, you can create an effective plan that actually protects their vulnerabilities, rather than a generic document that isn’t really relevant.
The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBiE) defines working alone as: "Work carried out in an area where normal means of contact (eg. verbal or sight) with other staff is not available so that the potential risk of existing hazards is increased to the extent that extra precautions are needed. This may include working in isolated areas, onsite or offsite, either during or outside normal working hours".
The majority of lone workers will be those who are working on off-site or remote locations. But not limited to those parameters either.
Your lone workers aren't just people off-site. They could also be people working in isolation, either because they work in a different part of the building or a secure location or perhaps because they are working shifts when no one else is in the building. It is important to consider them all.
That means potential risks and hazards can exist indoors, outdoors, while driving, on remote locations, or even at home.
Assessing Your Risks For Lone Workers
As a business owner or organisation leader, you have a responsibility under the Health and Safety Act to keep all your workers safe. For lone workers, that's doubly important.
Protection for your lone workers starts with a comprehensive assessment of your organisation and identification of all potential lone worker roles.
Once you have identified who qualifies as a lone worker, you can assess their current situation. Your assessment should look at where they are working, how they get there and the equipment that they use during their normal work.
Many organisations focus their health and safety assessments on the prevention of accidents or injury while on the job, or the risk of confrontation by someone when the worker is alone. But, those are not the only things your assessment should cover.
You should also consider your employee’s mental health and wellbeing. Lone workers can feel isolated from colleagues or the organisation as a whole and may need extra support.
Once you have finished your assessment, you can put together a risk management plan for each job type or worker depending on their needs.
Sometimes it can feel challenging to analyse every aspect of the safety of your workers. So, it can be helpful to reach out to a safety expert for support and guidance in this process. Our Direct Safety team are skilled in safety and risk management and we want to help you keep your workers safe. Reach out to us today if you need any support.
Putting Your Lone Worker Safety Plan Into Action
One great way of protecting lone workers from accidents and injury is by providing them with high-quality equipment. This doesn’t just mean the equipment they need to do their daily job, but also equipping them with devices to assist should they get into trouble.
Having a protection device on hand allows your team to focus on their work without feeling distracted by their ability to work safely. They can also help your workers to feel less isolated, and reduce the high levels of stress that can be associated with workplace separation.
Their safety device is a lifeline should the unexpected happen. Reliable connectively means that there will always be someone there to check in on them, even in the remotest location or the middle of the night.
The technology is impressive on lone worker devices. They include:
● SOS communication: when there is no one around to monitor your safety, SOS calling gives a layer of protection that doesn’t even require your lone walker to talk. They can simply hit an SOS button and be connected to someone that can help.
● Fall detection: technology allows the device to monitor changes in tilt or altitude, as well as impact which can indicate a fall has taken place. An alert is triggered so you can check in with the worker or send medical assistance if needed.
● Lack of motion: technology can also detect if a worker has stopped moving for a period of time and trigger an alert. You can then check in with the worker to see if they have encountered a hazardous situation or lost consciousness.
● Automated check-ins: ditch the need for emails or calls and automate worker check-ins instead. This removes the risk of human error and ensures that regular contact is made at set times. The worker can acknowledge they are OK with a push of a button.
● Gas detection: not all risks are ones you can see. Gas detection is a vital role that a safety device can provide and the worker can respond and protect themselves accordingly.
● Communication: it can be dangerous to rely on cellphones for communication as some areas do not offer good reception. A good safety device will allow for two way communication and also push-to-talk functions.
Their rugged design means they can go anywhere your lone workers do - even if that is up a mountain or down a mine shaft.
Protecting Against The Unseen
Not all risks are visual or physical. As we mentioned above, it is easy for lone workers to feel isolated from their colleagues.
Make sure your lone or remote workers still have a chance to catch up with colleagues, access company support systems or are included in social events either in person or virtually. That way, they feel connected to your business even if they aren't physically there all the time.
Stress should also be a top concern as it can have a really negative impact on a person’s ability to work safely - affecting concentration, productivity, and motivation levels. A safety device can be the constant lifeline a lone worker needs to focus on the task at hand as they know someone will always have their back.
So, is it time to review your lone worker safety?
If you are creating a lone worker risk management plan at your workplace, Direct Safety is here to help with expert advice and top-quality monitoring devices. Contact us today to discuss your options.