Difference between revisions of "Lone Worker Services"

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Lone workers can be found in a variety of industries, environments and situations. They must be armed with the right tools to protect themselves from safety threats.<br /><br />Traveling health care and social work workers face the risk of accidents on their way to a client’s home or workplace. They also need a system that can alert emergency services if they are unable to call for help themselves.<br /><br />Training<br /><br />Whether they’re sales representatives, home care nurses, insurance claims adjusters, real estate agents, mortgage brokers, field based sales staff, chaplains, social workers, property managers, maintenance crews, utility workers, meter readers or others that operate alone, lone worker safety is an important issue. To help them keep themselves safe, they need to be aware of their surroundings and have a clear plan in place if they encounter potential danger.<br /><br />Ideally, employers should train lone workers on the company’s lone working policy, as well as any specific risks they may face while at work. It is also important to make lone workers aware of emergency procedures, including how and where they can call for assistance.<br /><br />For lone workers, the ability to de-escalate situations quickly is critical. A training program that teaches employees about communication skills and recognizing behavioral cues can make them more likely to identify danger and to respond appropriately.<br /><br />Companies should also consider implementing a system that allows for a designated 'Champions' in each department, individuals who are responsible for organizing employee training, answering any health and safety-related questions, and embodying a 'best practices' model for others to follow. By having these 'Champions' available, employees can feel confident that their company is committed to their wellbeing. RoSPA approved &amp; CPD accredited, this essential eLearning course increases the safety of lone workers by teaching them how to prevent aggression in the workplace, recognise and implement diffusion tactics for aggressive behaviour.<br /><br /> [https://loneworkerdevices.com lone worker safety devices] Communication<br /><br />Lone working can expose workers to a number of hazards that make regular communication a must. Whether it's physical violence or working in remote or hazardous areas, these situations are much more likely when employees work by themselves. According to HSE guidance, lone working employees should be regularly checked in and have a way of calling for help if they are uncomfortable or unsafe. Communication solutions like two-way radios, smartphones with lone worker apps or even satellite messengers offer a way to check in, raise the alarm and remain connected with staff when it is needed most.<br /><br />If you choose a system like Connecteam for your lone working staff, you can set up automated check-ins at pre-set intervals and receive escalated triggered alerts if these aren't acknowledged. This can provide peace of mind to your team and enables you to monitor their location, even when mobile and GPS networks are down.<br /><br />Lone working solutions are held to rigorous standards to ensure that they can support your lone workers in the event of an emergency. In the UK, these systems must meet British Standard code of practice 8484 and Alarm Receiving Centres and Monitoring Stations must comply with BS 9518. Avoid multi-packs of cheap walkie talkies that don't hold up in an emergency – you want to rely on your solution to deliver when it matters most.<br /><br />Check-Ins<br /><br />Conducting regular safety check-ins is one of the most important precautions for any lone worker. These checks protect against a variety of safety hazards such as equipment malfunction, environmental factors or personal injury. If a lone worker misses their scheduled check-in, management can follow an escalation procedure determined by the company’s safety policy and the employee’s risk profile.<br /><br />It’s important to work with a company that offers a variety of options for checking in, including a lone worker safety app. These apps allow managers to log in and view all check-ins on a dashboard, which makes it easy to spot those who have missed their call. Some apps also include features such as a panic button, discreet panic, non-movement alert and duress PIN, which make it easier for employees to request assistance from their supervisor if they need it.<br /><br />A lone worker safety app can help you create a monitoring plan that’s unique to your employees’ needs. The plan considers the risks of each employee, their environment and the frequency of check-ins required. It can even incorporate a variety of different emergency protocols and responses based on the level of risk of a situation, such as the ability to send a text message or to connect via video chat. By implementing these safety solutions, you can protect your employees and reduce your liability while creating a positive work culture.<br /><br />Emergency Response<br /><br />Lone workers face different safety hazards than employees who work with others, requiring unique protection and monitoring solutions. By developing a comprehensive program, you can ensure your people have the tools they need to be safe in any situation that arises.<br /><br />While it is common for lone workers to wear PPE, this isn’t enough when it comes to protecting them from hazardous working conditions. It is critical that procedures are put in place to monitor the whereabouts of lone workers, including scheduling wellness checks and GPS tracking/locating devices.<br /><br />For example, traveling health care workers, social workers, and other lone professionals may be at risk of being attacked or robbed on the way to their next job. They also need a reliable, discreet way to alert their manager that they are in danger, such as a panic button that can be activated with the press of a button. This feature should be integrated with a 24/7 emergency response monitoring solution to escalate missed check-ins and duress alerts according to the company’s lone worker policy.<br /><br />The lone worker service COMPASS Pro, for example, offers these features and more. It includes a smart, portable device that has one-button SOS, voice to voice communication, fall detection, geo-fencing, and GPS tracking/locating. It also offers an emergency escalation chain so that if the lone worker isn’t able to respond, the next person in the chain will receive an alarm.
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Like any employee, lone workers face risks while on the job. However, unlike other employees, they don’t have colleagues nearby to call for help or to notify safety personnel if something goes wrong.<br /><br />HSE guidelines state that employers must maintain regular contact with lone working staff and provide them with a means of calling for help in an emergency. [https://loneworkerdevices.com lone worker safety devices] Lone worker services, like apps and devices, are a valuable tool for meeting these requirements.<br /><br />Training<br /><br />Lone workers include a variety of employees such as security guards, retail staff and those who travel to remote locations as part of their work including home care nurses, insurance claim adjusters and field sales representatives. Typically, they have the ability to avoid risky situations by following clear procedures and having an emergency communication plan in place to activate quickly during a crisis.<br /><br />As part of your lone worker safety solution implementation, consider developing a training course that will help your lone working employees understand and follow the policies you have put in place to protect them. Our CPD Certified and RoSPA Assured eLearning Lone Working Safety course is ideal for this as it will provide learners with a full understanding of who falls into the lone working definition, what is considered to be a risky situation, legal responsibilities and how controls can be put in place to minimise risk.<br /><br />It is also worth considering cultivating champions within your lone working workforce, individuals across various departments who can play a pivotal role in ensuring that the monitoring solutions are used correctly and that all emergency procedures are understood by your teams. Champions can also be on hand to answer any questions your lone working teams may have and serve as role models for others to emulate. Ultimately, a good training programme will improve employee confidence and the overall effectiveness of your lone working services.<br /><br />Monitoring<br /><br />Lone worker services should offer a range of monitoring options to suit different needs. For example, a system that requires employees to check in at intervals throughout their shift or at the end of each task is ideal for many scenarios. Similarly, devices that allow for a discreet call to be made using the built-in panic button or GPS tracking can help in emergency situations.<br /><br />LONE worker safety procedures should also include a clear definition of acceptable methods of communication while working alone. These might include the sound of power tools, whistling or tapping on tanks. It's important to discuss and agree on these standards in advance so that everyone is clear about what is or isn't acceptable when they are working alone.<br /><br />Once these procedures are in place, a regular review process is essential to ensure that they continue to be effective. This should be conducted by an independent expert who is not involved in the lone worker program itself to provide a more objective assessment.<br /><br />While implementing lone worker programs can be challenging, there are ways to make it as easy as possible for employees. The key is to focus on a strong message of employee safety and wellbeing. This will encourage adoption and help your employees feel comfortable about identifying risks in the workplace.<br /><br />Emergency Response<br /><br />Lone workers often work in remote locations and without coworkers to call for help or to alert. In addition, if they experience an emergency such as a health issue or a hazardous environment, there is no one to assist them and provide first aid.<br /><br />As a result, this type of employee has a greater risk for injury and illness than those working with coworkers or in more traditional workplaces. Developing a lone worker safety program can help reduce these risks and ensure that employees are properly prepared for their job.<br /><br />For example, a lone worker monitoring service like Tunstall’s allows employees to check in via a device and trigger a duress alarm. They can also contact a 24/7 Care Consultant in case they encounter an incident on the job. The system is designed to be easy for employees to use, which can help them feel comfortable using it in stressful situations.<br /><br />Another way to enhance a lone worker safety program is to ensure that it offers an emergency response service. This is especially important for employees who may need to respond quickly and efficiently to a dangerous situation. This can include anything from a person going missing to a potential environmental hazard or accident. In these situations, the faster law enforcement is notified of an emergency, the more likely it will be that they can respond in time to save lives.<br /><br />Communication<br /><br />If your lone workers have to travel between sites, or if they're in areas with limited cellular coverage, it’s important to make sure that their safety solutions have the ability to automatically fail over to another communication method. Without failover, if the worker experiences an emergency, they might not be able to get help because nobody knows where they are or what the issue is.<br /><br />For this reason, a lone working device that offers cellular and satellite connectivity is an ideal choice. When a device is activated, the emergency response team receives a signal that can be confirmed by the worker as an authentic alert and that identifies their location. The team can then respond immediately and dispatch rescuers if necessary.<br /><br />In addition, a lone working device should offer a way for employees to communicate with their team – including a panic button that instantly sends a text alert with their precise location. This will allow colleagues to check on the status of a remote employee, and can also include valuable information like weather conditions or chemical or gas hazards. It should also enable employees to communicate with their teams via a voice or two-way calling feature, and allow supervisors to monitor their lone workers' movements through a live monitoring portal. This can be done from a computer, tablet or mobile phone, and is especially important in the current climate of lockdowns.

Revision as of 01:55, 18 November 2023

Like any employee, lone workers face risks while on the job. However, unlike other employees, they don’t have colleagues nearby to call for help or to notify safety personnel if something goes wrong.

HSE guidelines state that employers must maintain regular contact with lone working staff and provide them with a means of calling for help in an emergency. lone worker safety devices Lone worker services, like apps and devices, are a valuable tool for meeting these requirements.

Training

Lone workers include a variety of employees such as security guards, retail staff and those who travel to remote locations as part of their work including home care nurses, insurance claim adjusters and field sales representatives. Typically, they have the ability to avoid risky situations by following clear procedures and having an emergency communication plan in place to activate quickly during a crisis.

As part of your lone worker safety solution implementation, consider developing a training course that will help your lone working employees understand and follow the policies you have put in place to protect them. Our CPD Certified and RoSPA Assured eLearning Lone Working Safety course is ideal for this as it will provide learners with a full understanding of who falls into the lone working definition, what is considered to be a risky situation, legal responsibilities and how controls can be put in place to minimise risk.

It is also worth considering cultivating champions within your lone working workforce, individuals across various departments who can play a pivotal role in ensuring that the monitoring solutions are used correctly and that all emergency procedures are understood by your teams. Champions can also be on hand to answer any questions your lone working teams may have and serve as role models for others to emulate. Ultimately, a good training programme will improve employee confidence and the overall effectiveness of your lone working services.

Monitoring

Lone worker services should offer a range of monitoring options to suit different needs. For example, a system that requires employees to check in at intervals throughout their shift or at the end of each task is ideal for many scenarios. Similarly, devices that allow for a discreet call to be made using the built-in panic button or GPS tracking can help in emergency situations.

LONE worker safety procedures should also include a clear definition of acceptable methods of communication while working alone. These might include the sound of power tools, whistling or tapping on tanks. It's important to discuss and agree on these standards in advance so that everyone is clear about what is or isn't acceptable when they are working alone.

Once these procedures are in place, a regular review process is essential to ensure that they continue to be effective. This should be conducted by an independent expert who is not involved in the lone worker program itself to provide a more objective assessment.

While implementing lone worker programs can be challenging, there are ways to make it as easy as possible for employees. The key is to focus on a strong message of employee safety and wellbeing. This will encourage adoption and help your employees feel comfortable about identifying risks in the workplace.

Emergency Response

Lone workers often work in remote locations and without coworkers to call for help or to alert. In addition, if they experience an emergency such as a health issue or a hazardous environment, there is no one to assist them and provide first aid.

As a result, this type of employee has a greater risk for injury and illness than those working with coworkers or in more traditional workplaces. Developing a lone worker safety program can help reduce these risks and ensure that employees are properly prepared for their job.

For example, a lone worker monitoring service like Tunstall’s allows employees to check in via a device and trigger a duress alarm. They can also contact a 24/7 Care Consultant in case they encounter an incident on the job. The system is designed to be easy for employees to use, which can help them feel comfortable using it in stressful situations.

Another way to enhance a lone worker safety program is to ensure that it offers an emergency response service. This is especially important for employees who may need to respond quickly and efficiently to a dangerous situation. This can include anything from a person going missing to a potential environmental hazard or accident. In these situations, the faster law enforcement is notified of an emergency, the more likely it will be that they can respond in time to save lives.

Communication

If your lone workers have to travel between sites, or if they're in areas with limited cellular coverage, it’s important to make sure that their safety solutions have the ability to automatically fail over to another communication method. Without failover, if the worker experiences an emergency, they might not be able to get help because nobody knows where they are or what the issue is.

For this reason, a lone working device that offers cellular and satellite connectivity is an ideal choice. When a device is activated, the emergency response team receives a signal that can be confirmed by the worker as an authentic alert and that identifies their location. The team can then respond immediately and dispatch rescuers if necessary.

In addition, a lone working device should offer a way for employees to communicate with their team – including a panic button that instantly sends a text alert with their precise location. This will allow colleagues to check on the status of a remote employee, and can also include valuable information like weather conditions or chemical or gas hazards. It should also enable employees to communicate with their teams via a voice or two-way calling feature, and allow supervisors to monitor their lone workers' movements through a live monitoring portal. This can be done from a computer, tablet or mobile phone, and is especially important in the current climate of lockdowns.

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