People who work alone — either on a periodical basis or all the time — can be categorised as lone workers.
These workers, who must often work individually in remote places or at night time, face a higher degree of risk in performing their daily activities — compared to their colleagues at the office. The use of GPS tracking technology, for lone worker protection, can really benefit those that are isolated from their workmates in times of trouble. Such technology will accurately track their location and provide the necessary assistance.
Those that are at risk include:
- Mobile workers who must work away from their fixed base, such as workers in construction, plant installation, maintenance and cleaning work, electrical repairs and agricultural workers.
- Service workers, such as estate agents, medical staff, social workers, home helpers, rent collectors, postal staff and more.
While it is not possible to conduct a continuous supervision of these workers, it is possible to reduce the risks by communicating with them and checking how their working conditions are. It is understood that employers have the responsibility to maintain the safety, welfare and health of all the employees — especially when performing work activities.
Employers need to assess the risks that their lone workers face — and take steps to avoid or control the identified risks at hand. Further, employers must have procedures in place to monitor lone workers — ensuring their health and safety. These producers include:
- Have the supervisors regularly visit and observe lone workers
- Have the supervisors engage in communication with lone workers regularly via
mobile phones, radios, etc - Use staff security systems, such as an automatic warning device, that operates when specific signals are not
received from lone workers periodically - Use other devices that have been designed to raise the alarm in the event of an emergency — which can be operated automatically or manually by the absence ofactivity
- Make sure that lone workers have returned to their home or base once the tasks are completed
The use of a small personal GPS tracking device can help provide a sound management process to ensure regular contact between employee and the employer. Both parties will benefit from having the device in place. The location of lone workers can be continuously monitored by employers. In addition, most GPS tracking devices have a built-in emergency alarm call feature that allows for quick communication in the event of an emergency and incident with a simple touch of a button. The alarm can also be automatically triggered by a set period of inactivity.
The use of GPS personal tracking and communication devices have fast become the norm in the business world and are utilised by more responsible employers to protect lone workers — which has helped to drive down the costs of the devices.
