Safeguarding Lone Workers

Jim Irving, chief executive officer of Guardian24, explains how technology-based solutions are helping to ensure the safety of staff who work alone, as well as providing productivity and efficiency benefits

Health and safety has, for many years, been high on the agenda for all organizations, not least for those in sectors such as quarrying. Each organization recognizes the great significance of the legislation that exists to protect employee welfare, such as the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007. Increasingly, organizations are extremely proactive in ensuring they take all reasonable steps to protect their workforce.

As well as recognizing their duty of care as an employer, organizations also recognize the significant drivers, such as health and safety legislation, which make staff safety critically important. As a result, a health and safety strategy is typically very well thought out and implemented effectively.

However, in some situations, organizations are not fully adapting their strategies to suit the changing economic and business climate they now operate in. The wider economic picture is having an impact on such issues in ways that many managers are not recognizing, or acting upon, quickly or effectively enough.

One key change is the increase in lone workers. Lone workers come in many different forms; for example, those working on individual projects, in isolated areas and dangerous environments. One particular trend is that individuals are increasingly performing tasks on their own that may have been carried out, pre-recession, by two or more people. While lone working can bring huge advantages, not least business efficiency and cost reduction, organizations are sometimes failing to properly adapt their health and safety strategies to protect such members of staff.

Many forward-thinking organizations are implementing solutions (frequently technology-based) to ensure the safety of members of staff who work alone, and there are a variety of devices on the market that can help safeguard such workers. Some have been specifically designed for this sole purpose, but there are also some interesting developments based on creating additional lone-worker capabilities for an existing device, such as a mobile phone or smartphone.

Guardian24 is a lone-worker personal security service that can be used via a BlackBerry smartphone, Windows PDA, mobile phone or specialist lone-worker device. It allows users to log their whereabouts, daily tasks and any other important information. Should the user’s safety be compromised, he or she can easily summon emergency help with the press of a panic button on their chosen device.

This service can be used to protect staff when working alone, travelling to and from work, and when working in isolation in remote and dangerous environments.

When choosing a lone-worker safety device, organizations must consider their specific needs and those of their workforce. Solutions that are integrated with mobile or smart-phones ensure that staff always have their device with them, which means they are more likely to be used – if safety restrictions allow – rather than being forgotten or left in a desk drawer. Moreover, solutions such as Guardian24’s are often highly cost-effective too, since businesses do not have to buy additional hardware.

What is crucial, however, when it comes to health and safety, is that these systems work practically: for example, if lone-working staff have lone-worker safety devices, they need to be charged and accessible at all times, and employees must be able to raise the alarm when needed. As well as ensuring systems work for the organization, it is imperative that staff can use them properly. Any technology will only work if those using it are doing so correctly, so staff should be properly trained.

While mobile technology is becoming increasingly important in keeping lone workers safe, new applications are now coming into play which take the concept beyond just security and safety, by also helping staff to become more productive and efficient in the process.

New systems are being pioneered which build on existing mobile technology to automate processes and save time. For example, innovative systems are being implemented which digitize hand-written notes and automatically fill in forms to save time on data entry. Current and future developments around this area are very exciting. This functionality can now be teamed with the ability to protect lone workers – thus increasing organizational efficiencies, while also keeping staff safe.

The technology allows businesses to implement systems to stay on the right side of laws and legislation, and increase organizational efficiencies, but more importantly keep their staff safe. Lone working does not automatically imply a higher risk but working alone can increase employees’ vulnerability. It is vital, therefore, that companies frequently re-examine their health and safety policies to make sure they are realistic for their new operating circumstances.

For further information visit: www.guardian24.co.uk