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Lone worker response is a key component of a comprehensive workplace safety program. Monitoring technology allows businesses to connect employees with first responders and dispatchers in a timely manner.
Safety professionals have a duty of care to protect lone workers and implement control measures that reduce risk as far as is reasonably practicable. These include a risk assessment, an emergency response plan and multi-modal communication systems.
Identifying the Risk
Every job poses some degree of risk, but workers in a one-person business have an increased exposure to danger because they can’t call on a colleague to help. Creating a lone worker response policy begins with identifying potential risks. Every business will see different hazards, but common concerns include weather risks, chemical dangers and potential for slips and falls.
Lone working also presents a risk of violence from either customers or other workers. Developing strategies for preventing these threats should be a priority for all businesses, regardless of industry. For instance, workers who interact with the public should be trained to identify and defuse a potentially violent situation. And if a problem arises, it’s essential to have systems in place that enable staff to communicate quickly and easily with first responders.
A personal emergency device with GPS location capability is a great way to ensure that a lone worker can signal for assistance without delay. Some devices even offer features like discreet panic, two-way audio and recording capabilities. It’s essential to make sure that employees know how to activate their devices when they are in distress so the system can send alerts to emergency services. Ideally, a device can be triggered automatically or manually and deliver a clear message to first responders so that they can react in the most efficient manner possible.
Developing a Plan
Lone workers are exposed to a wide range of risks, including weather conditions, gas hazards and biohazards. Every workplace environment and every job is different so a risk assessment should be undertaken to determine how best to mitigate these risks. This includes identifying how communication systems will be activated if an incident occurs. panic alarm police It is essential that lone worker policies and procedures include this information.
Training is a crucial element for all employees but it is especially important for lone working staff. When staff work alone, there are no colleagues to point out a health and safety risk or act as a first responder in an emergency. News stories regularly report that lack of training is a contributing factor in serious accidents and injuries.
Draft a policy outlining the processes and procedures for lone workers. Include a check-in system and ensure that this is easily accessible for lone workers to use. Identify the contact person who will receive the information if an incident is reported and make sure that this person knows how to activate the communication plan if needed.
The policy should also outline the times of day that a lone worker is allowed to work alone, as well as how long they are permitted to be alone. It is advisable to provide a buffer zone where staff should avoid working alone outside of these times to minimise the risk of an incident occurring.
Activating the Plan
When working alone, even a minor mistake or unforeseen situation can escalate quickly. Lone worker safety systems are designed to trigger emergency alerts immediately so that first responders can be dispatched as soon as possible. These devices must be easy to access and activate without requiring complex instructions or fumbling around with an app or button. Ideally, the device will automatically trigger when environmental conditions or inactivity are detected, but it’s also important that workers can easily activate the device by themselves rather than waiting for a supervisor to respond.
When a lone worker needs help, the device must also be able to provide a way for them to communicate with their contact person. This information is critical, and systems that can notify the closest available person without requiring a supervisor to check in or call for backup are ideal. Additionally, if the system provides a way to send an email or text message, this is an advantage over systems that require a supervisor to manually check in.
In addition to a well-defined and effective policy, lone workers should be properly trained in their specific duties and the hazards associated with their work. This training is especially important for lone workers because they are frequently the target of violence and often have no one to help them escape or intervene in a dangerous situation.
Monitoring the Plan
As your associates continue to perform their duties independently, it is vital that you have a system in place to monitor and respond to threats. Ensure that your company’s lone worker safety policy and procedures are updated regularly to account for changing conditions. Keeping up with these changes ensures that your lone workers are prepared for any emergency situation that may occur.
When drafting your policy, it is important to consider the unique risks associated with each of your lone worker roles. This includes identifying the types of hazards that you face and how these relate to your current monitoring systems. This is a critical step for any organization as it will help you determine the specific processes and procedures that need to be implemented.
Once you have drafted your lone worker safety policy, it is essential to provide your employees with proper training and information on how to properly follow these procedures. This will include the responsibilities of both the lone worker and their supervisor as well as safety protocols that should be followed.
Additionally, you must establish a system that allows lone workers to report any issues or concerns they have while on the job. It is also important to evaluate this reporting system on a regular basis. If you have all of these things in place, your lone worker safety policy is complete.
