Key Steps to Improve Lone Worker Safety

1. Classify Existing and Possible Work Hazards

Whether you employ lone workers or are a lone worker yourself, the first step to improving safety is identifying hazards that could harm lone workers. These hazards have varying degrees of risks and can be anything from other people to equipment to the location or property.

For example, a lone worker in a home office could slip or fall down the stairs. A healthcare worker could get into a car accident whilst driving to see a patient.

Classifying lone worker hazards can reduce the chances of serious incidents, injuries, and emergencies. When worksites differ a few times per day, such as when healthcare workers visit patients in different locations, it may only be possible to know some potential hazards. Therefore, the smart solution is to equip lone workers (or yourself), such as the Spot Gen 3.

2. Be Proactive in Managing Lone Working Safety

With the hazards identified, the next step is to assess the level of risk to manage them effectively. We recommend you rank these risks according to their importance and occurrence, such as placing the highest-risk lone worker hazard as your top priority.

Some situations increase risks for lone workers, including:

Driving for hours
Working in a new or changing location
Working at night or outside ordinary working hours
Accidents like tripping and falling
Working in narrow and dark spaces
Working with hazardous chemicals, heavy equipment, and others
Having a heart attack or any medical emergency

Assessing lone worker risks should be done regularly, especially in varying work locations, times, and environments.

3. Understand and Follow Lone Worker Protection Policy

A standard lone worker policy is critical and thus should be in place if you employ or are a lone worker. It should cover the following:

Lone working safety guidelines
High to medium risk and hazard identification
Risk management
Lone worker and management team roles and responsibilities
Safety procedures outlined step by step
Tools and solutions for lone worker protection
Report guide for incidents, including near-misses
Steps to follow and who to contact in case of an emergency
Regular training to improve lone worker safety

Policies, after deployment, should be supported by reviewing and updating them frequently, as your industry is bound to change.

4. Use Lone Worker Safety Devices and Other Solutions

Even if you have assessed the risks, it’s not enough. You need solutions to ensure lone worker safety further. The good news is that a wide range of tools and devices now exist to cater to lone workers regardless of their industry, needs, and legal requirements.

When selecting a lone worker safety device, however, it is vital to take the work hazards into account. So go back to the first step above if you still need to identify them. Regardless of the device equipped on each lone worker, it should at least have the following capabilities:

Periodic check-ins
Real-time location sharing
SOS

A real-time lone-worker solution is an excellent option. That way, checking lone worker safety and well-being is easy and can be carried out at any given time.

Paul Delaney

Owner of Simply Unified

Paul’s history with technology and communication products dates back to the 1980s when mobile phones initially launched. At that point, the phones were large brick-like objects that could make and receive phone calls.

Paul became familiar with GPS and tracking systems while collaborating with General Motors and OnStar. Paul realised that by improving tracking capabilities and linking various devices, there would be a smoother and a better functioning network for clients.