Lone worker monitoring is an approach designed to safeguard employees who operate alone in potentially risky environments, such as utility workers or home health care professionals who may be vulnerable to workplace violence or other dangers related to their jobs. Recently, the National Safety Council published their Work to Zero initiative's white paper calling upon employers to implement monitoring technologies so as to better protect these individuals. There are various lone worker solutions on the market, each featuring unique devices and features that meet individual needs; these could range from GPS trackers and smartphone apps to duress alarms with voice activation capabilities. To select an effective one for your organization, conduct a risk analysis first to ensure you're making an informed decision. This will allow you to identify potential hazards and make recommendations for implementing a lone worker monitoring solution that will keep your employees safe. Furthermore, it will highlight any regulatory requirements that must be adhered to, helping ensure the solution you select can meet all compliance and regulatory needs. Once you have identified a solution that meets your needs, the final step should be implementing it across your workforce. Training should take place to ensure all employees know how to use their lone worker monitoring device properly as well as understand its process for checking in and activating distress signals properly. Furthermore, policies and procedures must outline proper uses, escalation procedures, and what actions should be taken if a crisis arises. if your lone workers are located in remote locations without cell phone coverage, satellite communications could provide vital lifelines in times of an emergency situation.
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