LONE WORKER PROTECTION
KEEPING CONNECTED: TECH’S ROLE IN
LONE WORKER PROTECTION Scott Chesworth, Operations Director at RAM Tracking,
explains why technology can be the ideal choice to enable jobs to be carried out in a safe environment with, where possible, zero risk.
Ensuring that strict health and safety standards are met is often a challenge, even when the workforce operates from one single location. For organisations which rely on lone workers to deliver a service remotely, making sure they feel suitably connected to team members at headquarters whilst on a job is highly important.
Health and safety practitioners were previously faced with a rather difficult problem. Lone workers, by their nature, are hard to monitor and safeguard due to the off- site nature of their work. This challenge was amplified in times when technologies were not widely available to link workers back to central work hubs or bases. Luckily, recent developments in the field of smart tech mean that employers have a wealth of options available to not only ensure the safety of lone workers, but also monitor service levels and streamline delivery operations.
Securing workforce buy-in is essential to fully utilise the benefits that tech can bring to lone worker protection. Without proper explanation of the motives and reasoning behind installing systems to help protect single workers, the wrong message can be construed. The aim of any health and safety initiative is not to spy on or monitor employees, but to those working and the environment they are to be as safe as possible.
Lone workers are particularly vulnerable with operators in environments such as oil rigs or large manufacturing companies, to delivery drivers and home support workers.
In the case of delivery drivers, solo installation or service engineers and home support workers, the risks are often especially high. Driving vehicles for a large portion of the day or making unaccompanied visits to patients and clients’ houses can provide opportunities for employees to come into potentially hazardous situations.
For those who drive vehicles, installing tracking software can be beneficial; both for the workers themselves and
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their managers. Being able to see real-time updates on location, distance travelled and estimated time of arrival ensures that should any incident arise where the safety of the worker may be compromised, action can be taken from the main business base to avoid potential problems. Some tracking systems also have the option to send alerts back to base when vehicles have been stationary for a set period of time, allowing unusual activity to be spotted and help sent if necessary.
As well as safeguarding lone workers, tracking software can be utilised to help aid service provision. Clients and customers will be able to receive accurate delivery and arrival times, whilst costs can also be reduced across the business by monitoring idling times, reducing speeding and helping plan the most efficient routes. The ability to track vehicle use is also an essential aid in reducing private mileage, and therefore fuel bills.
It is essential that lone workers feel confident that their safety and wellbeing is at the forefront of their employer’s mind, allowing them to carry out their work to the best of their ability whilst maintaining a high standard of wellbeing. Should an incident occur when a worker is operating alone, a personal panic alarm can make a significant difference. Triggering such a device as soon as an individual feels compromised or unsafe allows emergency services to be alerted and the worker promptly assisted. For those who operate in areas with poor signal or reception, roaming SIM cards can be installed in devices to allow for more reliable connections to central offices.
Lack of visibility no longer means that health and safety standards are difficult to adhere to. Increasing numbers of tech options available to employers mean that even those workers who operate on an individual basis, many miles away from head office, can now feel safe in the knowledge that they’re not being overlooked.
www.ramtracking.com
www.tomorrowshs.com
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