Lone workers are individuals who perform their job duties in isolation, in remote areas without direct supervision or immediate assistance from colleagues. They face various challenges, such as limited support, increased risk of accidents, communication difficulties, lack of direct supervision, potential vulnerability to personal threats, restricted breaks, mental health strain, inadequate training, and reliance on technology. Therefore, one of the highest concerns is the difficulty in obtaining help, especially in remote areas with limited cell range. The absence of immediate supervision and communication barriers amplifies the challenges, underscoring the importance of comprehensive safety measures, effective communication tools, and tailored emergency response plans to address the diverse and unique risks faced by lone workers.
Some organizations have adopted electronic safety devices that permit their workers to alert emergency responders if they need help. These devices can be equipped with a variety of features ranging from panic alarm, 24/7 monitoring, fall detection, 4G and Wi-Fi calling and GPS to locate the worker. Some of the more recent advancements also include a “Last Location” feature and can send periodic location information to update you on their location. Managers can then access this information to oversee the location of their workers. The information can be viewed on mobile devices with an easy-to-view map and managers can either view the location of multiple people all at once or on an individual basis. Accessing an end user’s location not only allows managers to get credible information about a worker’s recent whereabouts, but it also displays their working status and device battery life.
