Lone worker safety has long been a concern for business owners.
And, they’re common in several industries, ranging from gas station attendants and construction workers to custodians and maintenance workers.
As an employer, the law requires that you protect your workers regardless of their surroundings or the number of people they work with. This poses a particular challenge with lone workers because there is no one around to check on their safety.
Lone workers often work outside of business hours, which may also add to the risk involved. According to the Health and Safety Authority, the top lone worker safety hazards are:
- Work-related accidents or emergencies, including lack of immediate first aid
- Sudden illness
- Lack of provision for hygiene, rest, and welfare facilities
- Physical violence from an intruder or the public.
Fortunately, there are the following measures to protect your employees.
Controlled Periodic Checks
It’s important for lone worker safety that someone check in on them or monitor their activity periodically. If there was a sudden accident or intruder, your employee may not be able to call for help. Checking in on a regular basis throughout their shift improves your odds of being able to help them in a situation where they are unable to reach you.
First Aid Kits and Training
In the event of an accident, lone workers should know where to find a first aid kit and how to use it. The extent of this training will depend on the type of work environment. But even in situations where workers do not deal with anything hazardous, they could still experience a fall, cut, etc.
Training for Threatening Situations
Whether a lone worker faces the threat of an accident involving machinery, chemicals, etc. or is faced with a potentially violent situation from an outside threat, there should be protocols in place to help them navigate the situation.
This may involve systems to shut down, a panic button, code words to use, and even who to call for help. Lone worker safety also depends on given instructions on correctly documenting these incidents to prevent future ones.
Security System
One of the most effective ways to keep lone workers safe is to have a security system in place. A surveillance and live monitoring system can serve as a deterrent for outside threats. It also allows you to respond quickly to any incidents that could put your employee or business in harm’s way.
A virtual security guard can monitor your facility and your lone worker throughout their shift and be a point of contact. And in the event that something does happen, a virtual guard could notify the proper authorities immediately.
Pro-Vigil offers the most intelligent live surveillance on the market today. With support available 24/7 and features like virtual security guards, Pro-Vigil can help you protect your lone workers and your business from potential threats. Pro-Vigil offers both fixed and mobile security solutions. To learn more about Pro-Vigil’s state-of-the-art surveillance systems or to get a free quote, contact us online.
