LONE WORKER PROTECTION MIND THE GAP
Ryan Demelo, Product Marketing Director at EcoOnline, discusses the increase of lone workers in the UK, and how organisations can bridge the gap between lone workers and executives to protect their workforce.
https://www.info.ecoonline.com/how-safe-sustainable-is-your-workplace/?utm_ campaign=52210883-UKI%20-%20PR%20Activity%20-%202024%20UKI&utm_ source=Hotwire&utm_medium=PR&utm_content=News%20Release
There is a significant discrepancy in the perspectives of executives and lone workers. According to EcoOnline’s latest Lone Worker Landscape Report, many business leaders inaccurately believe they have lone worker safety covered. When asked how seriously their organisation takes the safety of its lone workers on a scale of 0–10, the results show a marked difference in viewpoints. An overwhelming 91% of executives scored themselves as a 10, compared to 49% of lone workers. This oversight has been noted in their risk assessments too; while 46% of executives say they include lone working questions, only 30% of lone workers agree. Concerningly, if an organisation fails to accurately identify which of their employees are ‘lone workers’, it’s difficult to safeguard against potential dangers.
RISING RISKS FOR LONE WORKERS
In 2025, the risks to lone workers are rising. Incidents of aggression and abuse from others have increased from 9% in 2021 to a staggering 17% in 2024. Extreme weather, worsened by global warming, has also exacerbated the risks to lone workers. The past year has seen events such as wildfires, flash floods, and extreme temperature variations heighten safety concerns across the globe, causing 43% of managers to express concerns about environmental risks to lone workers. As 60% of executives manage staff who operate in remote areas or locations with no signal, the risk of unpredictable weather is amplified.
This scenario is a key example of the unique struggles lone workers face where challenges are intensified by their isolation. Without immediate access to support or communication, these workers will experience increased stress and anxiety, finding themselves forced to rely solely on their own judgment and resources in critical situations.
ASSESSING WORKERS’ NEEDS
To protect their lone workers, organisations must make the most of data-driven insights to determine the best EHS strategy. In total, 64% of organisations have had an incident involving a lone worker in the past three years. By accurately identifying the number of lone workers in an organisation and creating a workplace culture that encourages them to voice any safety concerns,
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corporations can ensure this number begins to decrease.
Looking ahead, organisations should use proactive safety management to anticipate risks. Providing lone workers with powerful technology on their existing smart devices puts their safety right in their hands. Easy-to-use safety solutions include geofencing to mark higher-risk areas, low and no-signal options, mass communication updates, and multiple panic options depending on the situation such as fall detection or discreet panic due to violence and aggression.
Emphasising the importance of open communication, businesses should provide bespoke training from specialists combined with regular internal training, keeping employees informed about evolving risks, encourage team participation in risk assessments, and utilise on-the-spot digital learning modules to improve employee engagement in safety initiatives.
PREVENTION IS KEY With 46% of executives foreseeing an increase in their organisation’s lone workers over the next two to three years, ensuring the safety of all employees must be a priority. Though it can be challenging to foresee all potential hazards that lone workers might face, landscape reports like this can help businesses to plan ahead and take proactive steps to predict and mitigate these risks. In doing so, they encourage a consistent safety culture, further cultivated through a focus on technological integration, increased reporting, and open communication around risks.
www.ecoonline.com
https://www.info.ecoonline.com/how-safe-sustainable-is-your-workplace/?utm_ campaign=52210883-UKI%20-%20PR%20Activity%20-%202024%20UKI&utm_ source=Hotwire&utm_medium=PR&utm_content=News%20Release
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