LONE WORKER PROTECTION
In the past, using a buddy system was commonplace in many workplaces to ensure the safety of workers. However, with advancements in technology and the evolution of health and safety regulations, is it time to re- evaluate the effectiveness of this practice?
WHAT IS A BUDDY SYSTEM? The concept of the buddy system involves pairing up
workers so they can keep an eye on each other and provide assistance in case of an emergency. Sometimes workers will do all their work in pairs, however, in other instances, they may be working alone but required to check in with their buddy at regular intervals to ensure their safety.
WHY ARE BUDDY SYSTEMS FLAWED? While buddy systems may seem like a good idea in
theory, there are many issues with using this approach to manage employee risk that can lead to a multitude of financial, operational and reputational problems.
Stressful Consider the worry and stress on an individual who feels solely responsible for the safety and wellbeing of their buddy. What do they do if their buddy doesn’t check in with them as expected or if they receive a call telling them their buddy has been attacked or suffered an unexpected health issue on their watch?
This type of stress would be too much for many of us to bear – perhaps causing them to leave an organisation or continue in their role with little enthusiasm or commitment. This can push up levels of staff attrition, means higher recruitment and onboarding costs, and can affect business output including increased staff absence.
Expensive Buddy systems can be extremely expensive – particularly where buddies are required to physically accompany each other during a working day or shift. In this instance, two people are often employed instead of one where, in many cases, one would be able to do the job effectively on their own.
High risk A buddy system can create a false sense of security, leading workers to take unnecessary risks. Workers are much more likely to push the limits of what they deem to be ‘safe’, leading to an increase in the number of incidents – perhaps affecting both workers rather than one.
Difficult to manage Where buddy schemes are used for health and safety purposes, buddies need to be reallocated to accommodate annual leave and sick days. This can be a tedious task and, if not managed effectively, could lead to workers having no support from a buddy.
Legal issues In the event of an incident, if the Health and Safety Executive determines that your buddy system is not sufficient to ensure the safety of your employees, your organisation and you may be subject to substantial fines and imprisonment.
Violations of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 may result in organisational fines ranging from £50 to £10m. If an incident causes the death of an employee, fines
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of up to £20m can be imposed under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007.
ARE THERE ANY BENEFITS OF A
BUDDY SYSTEM? It’s not all doom and gloom though. Buddy systems certainly have their place when it comes to providing a friendly ear to workers who may need someone to turn to when faced with a difficult scenario or to support new starters through their onboarding process. But buddy systems should not be relied upon to ensure the safety of colleagues within your organisation.
WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES TO A
BUDDY SYSTEM? Fortunately, advances in technology mean there are effective alternatives to buddy systems. Equipping lone, remote or high-risk workers with a personal safety device or mobile app can:
• provide a higher level of safety; • reduce stress; •
improve colleague wellbeing;
• reduce personnel costs; •
improve outcomes following a health and safety incident, and
• reduce the possibility of legal repercussions.
In the event of an emergency, such as an attack, abuse, robbery, accident or unexpected health issue, workers can use the solution to easily and discreetly call for help at the push of a button. The device will connect to a Monitoring Centre where an operator will listen in to the incident, quickly locate the user and send an appropriate response, requesting a level 1 police response, calling an ambulance or notifying a colleague, for example.
A solution such as that provided by SoloProtect, can also automatically detect if a worker is incapacitated following a slip, trip or fall, as well as give managers access to an online platform to check which workers have started or finished their shift and to confirm whether all members of their team have arrived home safely at the end of the day.
Moreover, in 2022, SoloProtect launched a unique feature called Ready2Talk. This is a non-emergency chaperone service designed to be used when the lone worker device or mobile app user can see a clear risk and would like an operator to accompany them until they’re confident they’re safe. Examples include entering a property when there’s a heated argument going on inside or walking through a dark car park at night past a group of people acting suspiciously.
LEAVE BUDDY SYSTEMS IN THE 20TH CENTURY While a buddy system may have been a popular practice
in the past, it is time to re-evaluate its effectiveness and embrace new and innovative solutions that will effectively prioritise the safety of your workforce.
By implementing alternative solutions such as personal safety devices or mobile apps, along with comprehensive lone working policies and risk assessments, employers can reduce risk, save money, ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, and so much more.
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