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With a range of different lone worker solutions available, which can keep your employees safest while offering all the features you require? Here’s a guide to your options.
How To Choose The Right Lone Worker Protection Solution For Your Business
With an estimated 22% of the UK’s working population categorised as ‘lone workers’, employers have a responsibility to safeguard the welfare of their employees. Fortunately, there are various lone worker protection solutions available on the market. From dedicated devices to smartphone applications, businesses have a range of options to choose from.
Lone workers explained
Lone workers are individuals who perform their job tasks without direct supervision or immediate colleagues present. They work independently, often in remote or isolated environments, and may face various risks and challenges due to their solitary nature of work.
Lone workers can be found across a wide range of industries and sectors. For example, healthcare professionals often work alone, especially during night shifts or when making home visits. Workers in the utilities industry, such as gas or electricity technicians, often operate alone when carrying out installations, maintenance, or repairs. They may work in remote locations, encounter hazardous materials, or face unexpected dangers.
One of the main concerns for lone workers is that they may not have immediate access to assistance in the case of injury, accident, or sudden illness. Moreover, certain industries or work environments may expose lone workers to potential violence, aggression, or harassment. This includes situations where they interact with the public, deal with volatile individuals, or work in high-risk areas. For these reasons, lone worker protection is essential to ensure the welfare of all staff.
Types of lone worker protection device
Dedicated Devices
These are standalone devices designed specifically for lone worker protection. They often come in the form of wearable devices, such as panic buttons, badges, or wristbands. Dedicated devices are typically equipped with features like GPS tracking, two-way communication, and emergency alarms. When a worker encounters an emergency or requires assistance, they can activate the device to alert a monitoring centre or designated contacts.
Personal Safety Alarms
Personal safety alarms are compact and portable devices that can be carried by lone workers. These devices usually feature a panic button that, when pressed, emits a loud alarm to attract attention. Some personal safety alarms may also have additional features like flashing lights or connectivity options to notify authorities or a monitoring centre. These devices are discreet and convenient, providing a simple yet effective means of signalling distress.
Lone worker smartphone app
With the ubiquity of smartphones, lone worker apps have gained popularity as a versatile and cost-effective solution. These software applications can be installed on smartphones and offer a wide range of features tailored for lone worker protection. Lone worker apps often include GPS tracking, automatic check-ins, emergency alerts, and communication capabilities.
How to choose the lone worker protection solution that’s best for you
Features
One of the first things to consider is the different features that the solution offers. Is a personal safety alarm enough to keep your employees safe, or are your workers likely to be in such remote locations that they need GPS tracking and automatic notification of emergency contacts? Should you choose a dedicated lone worker device or should you opt for a mobile app that can be used on your team’s existing smartphones? These are all important considerations that will depend on your organisation’s requirements and situation.
Reliability
Next, evaluate the reliability and durability of the lone worker protection solutions. The device should be able to withstand the demands of the specific work environments and provide a consistent performance. There’s no use choosing a lone worker protection solution that runs out of battery all the time or doesn’t have GPS location tracking if that is a feature particularly important for your lone workers.
Cost
Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the solution. Compare the upfront costs, ongoing expenses, and potential return on investment. Are you looking for a dedicated device which may be more costly, or would you prefer a more cost-effective smartphone app which eliminates the need to pay for new hardware?
Scalability and flexibility
Finally, consider the scalability and flexibility of the solution. Will it accommodate your current and future needs as your business grows? Can it be easily adapted to different lone worker roles and tasks? A solution that offers scalability and flexibility will provide long-term value and adaptability.
Conclusion
For many businesses, a lone worker app is the obvious choice for keeping all employees safe. Solutions like Crystal Ball’s lone worker protection app include features like GPS tracking, manual and automated panic alerts, automated timers for routine welfare checks, and NFC functionality so that employees can check in and out of locations. The award-winning app is BS8484 accredited and even offers an open audio feature for emergencies, allowing a preassigned contact to listen to a situation and aid the worker’s safety.
Available on smartphones, the mobile app is with your team members wherever they go. Plus, it’s a cost-effective and flexible solution because it can be installed on your team’s existing smartphones – no need to spend money on new dedicated devices!
To find out more about lone worker protection and get a quote, visit Crystal Ball, a UK-based vehicle tracking and lone worker protection provider.