The Cost of Lone Worker Protection
. I believe that the truth is somewhere in between. Let's be clear though,
Lone working is here and it is gaining momentum in the courts. The truth of the matter for the average business is that they may well have a percentage of genuine lone workers but very few would have a high percentage.
There are also businesses that need to offer simple protection to their staff and stakeholders who would not be lone workers but for whom safety may generally be an issue. For example, a Magistrate leaving work.
I often have to slow down clients who see their need at a far greater level that actually exists. Dispelling the myth, applying common sense and some sound business logic, a business can often look at each genuine
Lone worker and justify some spend to protect them.
So what are these myths? Well they do not just apply to who the lone worker is. They also apply to the types of technology applied in the products you may or may not use. For example, GPS (Global Positioning) is a requirement of BS8484 but what if you don't want to meet the standard? What does the law say? Is it compulsory to mitigate potential future liability that you have GPS in the device. The answer is no. How would a GPS feature protect and indoor worker who falls down a flight of stairs or in to a vat?. Is it recommended you get
GPS on a device in case an incident occurs outside? The answer is yes, but subject to cost and can that cost be justified. If you had a worker who is largely outside GPS should probably be considered as a substantial element of what you should search for. I will touch on why later.
Other myths...
So many companies have Lone workers who spend the majority of their time outdoors; these could be engineers or bailiffs. What happens to them if they are alone and get into any trouble that requires help? What if they fall down become unconscious, get into a threatening situation or have a car accident.
Using GPS devices which have Motion sensor capability and SOS function can help in all these situations.
The user has a direct SOS link to a nominated Alarm receiving centre or Operations team, the alarm is raised and the user information with all relevant location data is sent to the operator to take action. You have to remember that under the BS8484 only compliant Alarm receiving centres can contact the emergency services direct. So an employer needs to consider what action and support they need for their lone workers.
In a serious situation every second counts, the lone worker wants and needs the quickest response and support available. Working with an accredited Alarm receiving centre will certainly speed that process up, as they can go direct to the emergency services and have to adhere to certain response times.
What happens if your lone worker is indoors when an emergency or man down event is raised will the GPS positioning help the lone worker, simply yes it will, while GPS can not be guaranteed to work indoors, you have devices that allow you to do GPS health check calls, or check in calls, so you will always have the latest location data available, something being used now more and more extensively in the care sector. Not only can you provide the latest data if an incident occurs indoors, but you can use the data to confirm the employees status, how long they stayed on site, were they on site.
So while some consider Lone worker protection as expensive, used in the right way the employer can cover their duty of care, health and safety as well as improving productivity.
Companies should speak with their insurance companies and legal teams, you will find your insurance company should reduce the premiums if lone worker protection is used for the employees, while legal departments will advise you need some form of protection in place, its then over to the employer to make the right, informed decision.
The Cost of Lone Worker Protection
By: Mario Safelinq
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