FEATURE
subsequent check-ins can be performed by the user until either that task has been completed, or they have left site or indeed finished their working day, at which point they can check out. Failure to check out can raise alarms directly into 24/7/365 alarm receiving centres (ARCs) where skilled and experienced operators can proactively contact the user to check they are safe.
Likewise, such devices and smartphone apps can also detect falls and impacts and raise alarms on the user’s behalf if they become incapacitated.
Finally, if a person feels threatened or at risk, they can raise an alert themselves that goes directly to an ARC.
For organisations that have deployed lone worker personal safety devices, online management platforms are an essential tool to simplify administrative tasks utilising live data to provide information such as trends, device usage and user status. This information can then provide insights that help manage risk and resources more effectively. Setting-up new users and allocating devices using these tools is straightforward, and it is also possible to ensure that users adhere with health and safety policies and processes by identifying and targeting non-compliance.
BODY LANGUAGE Where there is the potential for lone workers to be
involved in confrontational situations, body-worn cameras are increasingly seen as a solution. The reason is simple – people tend to be far less aggressive if they know they are being recorded.
Body-worn cameras can record constantly or be used in an incident record mode. Incident record cameras tend to be smaller, lighter, and more user friendly, but may have a shorter battery life – which needs to be considered. Whichever option is deployed, when dealing with someone who is exhibiting antisocial behaviour, the standard operating procedure for the wearer is to calmly
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but firmly inform them that they will be filmed, and what the evidence will be used for should they decide to continue. This will typically diffuse the situation.
Whilst recording a situation, some cameras now have the technology to live stream the incident, for example into an ARC, so that the situation can be monitored, and responses escalated dependant on the situation. Evidence captured from such recordings is extremely valuable if action needs to be taken against an aggressor, and can also help to highlight training requirements, evaluate protocols and even improve operational practices.
Body-worn camera technology has developed significantly over recent years, with smaller form factors, lightweight construction and features such as high definition video and audio, GPS location technologies and Bluetooth capability now the norm. Ease of use, robustness, reliability and stability are all key design parameters, with devices made to be as unobtrusive as possible in order to limit any interference with an individual’s ability to do their job. Just as importantly, it can also help to avoid inflaming a potentially volatile situation – let’s remember that some situations will benefit from ‘overt’ recording and others require a more ‘sensitive’ approach. Either way, before implementing body worn cameras it is important to carry out a data protection impact assessment (DPIA).
RATE AND REVIEW The pandemic has altered how most people do their
jobs and lone workers are no exception. Therefore, as we begin to emerge from lockdown now is a good time for organisations to review their lone working policies and procedures to ensure that they are fit for purpose in order to protect their individuals and teams in a changing world.
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