Lone Worker Safety and Protection: Ensuring Compliance
Security and cleaning contractors typically employ lone workers who are exposed to an increased risk of workplace violence and accidents without others present. Because of that threat, employers are required to take lone worker safety measures to remain compliant.
Within the security industry, guards are vulnerable to altered behavior from the public via crimes or intimidation. At the same time, cleaners face potential accidents, such as a slip and fall or exposure to hazardous materials or chemicals. The stressful nature of working in isolation can lead to negative health conditions and cause increased employee turnover.
Protecting lone workers involves committing to on-site safety practices by systematically addressing risks. Safety audits and hazard assessments can mitigate risks and ultimately reduce turnover, and integrated software can support these efforts.
What is lone work?
Lone work refers to situations where an employee operates in isolation without direct supervision or assistance from colleagues. This scenario commonly occurs in various industries, including security and cleaning, where professionals may be required to perform tasks independently. In many cases, these employees might find themselves in unpredictable environments, increasing their vulnerability to potential hazards.
What are the potential risks to lone workers?
Lone workers face a myriad of risks that can affect both their physical safety and mental well-being. Understanding these risks is crucial for developing effective safety plans. Here are some of the most prevalent dangers associated with lone work:
Physical Violence
One of the most significant risks lone workers encounter is physical violence, particularly in the security sector. They may find themselves confronted by aggressive individuals or become victims of theft or assault.
Accidents and Injuries
Lone workers are at an increased risk of accidents, such as slips, trips, and falls, especially in hazardous environments like construction sites or when performing cleaning duties.
Health Emergencies
Being alone during a medical emergency poses a significant threat to a lone worker’s health. Conditions like severe allergic reactions, heart attacks, or other sudden health issues can become life-threatening without someone nearby to provide assistance or call for help.
Psychological Stress
Working in isolation can also lead to mental and emotional strain. Extended periods of solitude may foster feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or depression.
Lone worker safety regulations and risk assessment
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers provide a safe work environment for their employees that is “free from recognized hazards” that could cause death or serious physical harm, according to the General Duty Clause, which binds private employers to comply with occupational safety and health standards.
Although recognizing and addressing hazards is required by law, OSHA only provides general guidelines on how to comply. Typically, employers are considered to violate the General Duty Clause if:
- Employers failed to keep the workplace free of hazards
- There was a recognized hazard
- The potential hazard caused or would likely cause death or serious physical harm
- There was a feasible and practical method for lone worker risk assessment
Conducting a workplace hazard assessment for lone workers can start with implementing workplace safety procedures. Supervisors can customize procedures to the on-site risks isolated workers face. Then, managers can ensure all workers receive proper training and schedule refresher training.
Establish a regular check-in procedure for lone workers, which may include using mobile tools for real-time communication. Panic buttons and locked drop-safes can be installed. Employers can also schedule high-risk tasks when another worker is present. Additionally, providing protective clothing, protective equipment, barriers, and escape routes may also promote safety and keep your workers safe.
To ensure visibility, install security cameras or utilize tracking devices to improve lone worker monitoring. Establish clear visibility and support on-site understanding of all possible entrances and exits. Additionally, make sure workers have access to locks to prevent unauthorized entry.
Evaluating the workplace design, physical arrangement, and materials to reduce risks is another action employers can take. Ensure the site has well-lit interiors and exteriors, and practice an emergency action plan regularly. Investigate incidents promptly, record near misses, and revise procedures. Finally, seek input from employees to address work-related issues effectively.
Instilling workplace safety with software tools
Software tools can support a lone worker safety policy by aiding employers with risk assessment, location monitoring, hazard identification, and creating an emergency response plan to instill workplace safety.
For example, a duress feature allows users to send a duress message to a supervisor if an emergency occurs. When selected, a screen displays a warning message. It will state that the lone worker is facing danger and to contact the police or emergency services immediately.
Additionally, an integrated ERP solution equipped with a periodic checks tool establishes when employees must check into a system at a customer-configurable time (i.e., every hour), allowing employees to confirm they are safe while working alone. Supervisors in the field can be alerted if there are any missed check-ins. Once alerted, they may follow up if workers need support.
Integrated software with a compliance code feature can be used to ensure that only employees trained to work a site can be scheduled for a particular site. Contractors can use this feature to make sure that only guards with firearm training are scheduled for a particular site. Or it can help make sure that cleaners with emergency spill training are scheduled to work in a hospital.
A content management function lets supervisors have direct supervision and digitally share safety materials with employees in an easy-to-access format available to lone workers or mobile workers with mobile phones. This feature encourages the promotion of general safety guidance, identifying hazards and detailing roles and responsibilities.
Similarly, software with a quality audits feature allows companies to perform lone working risk assessments as part of their lone worker policies by assigning safety managers who can visit different sites to perform a specific evaluation rather than relying on job supervisors to regularly audit.
Software integration and lone worker safety
Implementing a successful safety management program to protect lone workers involves assessing threats, addressing hazards, and mitigating potential risks. With an integrated workforce management system, companies can better systematically address safety risks by performing audits and hazards assessments to keep employees safe, which could decrease turnover.
Benefits of TEAM Software for Workforce Management
Partnering with TEAM Software by WorkWave can significantly benefit your cleaning and security company. It is designed to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and ultimately help you grow your client list. Here are some key benefits and key features of using TEAM Software by WorkWave:
1. Efficient Employee Management: You can easily schedule shifts, assign tasks, and track employee performance, ensuring that your team is working effectively and efficiently.
2. Real-Time Communication: Get real-time communication between you and your team, enabling quick responses to client requests or changes in scheduling as well as keeping your team safe.
3. Automated Invoicing and Billing: Fully automates the invoicing and billing process, making it easy to keep track of payments and ensure timely billing for your clients.
4. Reporting and Analytics: Offers robust, detailed reports and analytics tools that give you valuable insights into your business performance, allowing you to make data-driven decisions to optimize operations and grow your client list using in-depth analytics functions.
Closing Thoughts
In an ever-evolving work environment, where more employees are operating in isolation or in remote locations, the importance of robust safety measures for lone workers cannot be overstated. As outlined in this article, the risks associated with lone working—ranging from accidents to medical emergencies—pose significant challenges for employers and employees alike. To effectively mitigate these risks, implementing dedicated software for lone worker solutions such as TEAM Software emerges as an essential stride towards enhancing workplace safety.
TEAM Software offers a comprehensive suite of features designed specifically to safeguard lone workers. Real-time monitoring capabilities enable employers to keep track of their employees’ locations and well-being, ensuring that help is just a click away in case of emergencies. The integrated communication tools facilitate quick contact between lone workers and their supervisors, fostering a culture of safety and responsiveness. Additionally, the duress feature allows workers to discreetly signal for help without drawing unwanted attention, providing peace of mind in potentially dangerous situations.
As businesses navigate the complexities of modern work practices, adopting TEAM Software for lone worker safety not only complies with legal requirements but also demonstrates a commitment to employee welfare. By leveraging technology to protect those who work alone, employers can enhance operational efficiency, reduce incidents, and ultimately foster a culture of safety that benefits everyone involved.
To learn more about how an integrated system can help instill safety among your distributed workers, schedule a demo with one of our experts.