IT is estimated that more than six million people in the UK are classed as lone workers, working either in isolation or without direct supervision, often in places or circumstances that put them at potential risk.
On 28 July 1986, British estate agent Suzy Lamplugh was reported missing after going to an appointment to show a client around a house on her own.
On the 27th anniversary of Miss Lamplugh’s disappearance, Aberdeen communication specialists, Autosonic, say it is vital for employers to take precautions to protect members of staff who work on their own.
Account manager, Neil Dow, explained: “Employers have a duty of care to their workforce, and the anniversary of Miss Lamplugh’s disappearance highlights the importance of putting extra safety measures in place for staff who are classed as lone workers, or employees who attend appointments on their own.
“Many companies and organisations have employees who are vulnerable because they work in situations where their safety cannot be supervised.
“Technology has advanced hugely over the years, and there are a number of innovative lone worker solutions for mobile devices, including apps which allow employers to constantly monitor the welfare of their lone workers, without the need for an additional or dedicated device.”
Here, we take a look at some useful advice for bosses who employ lone workers:
On the move: GPS tracking systems enable bosses to track and report live on the whereabouts and activity of mobile handsets, so they know where their staff are from the moment they leave the office.
Panic attack: Installing safety apps onto your workforce’s mobile phones is a worthwhile initiative. Not only can the devices keep track of lone workers but, in an emergency situation ‘panic’ alarms can be activated discretely on the device, even when the keypad is locked.
Attention to detail: If like the case of Suzy Lamplugh, a worker is attending an appointment alone, ensure they provide precise information about their visit – including the name of the person they are seeing and the address. Even though they have their work mobile phone with them, take down their personal mobile phone number too.
Take note: Staff should keep a record of when their colleague has left for an appointment, so if they are taking longer than anticipated, colleagues can call or email their smartphone to check-up on them to ensure they are safe.
A helping hand: Implementation of lone worker training is a great step towards enhancing the safety of your staff who work alone. By hosting safety workshops to educate them about using their mobile phone to help keep them safe, you can prepare your staff for emergency situations.
Autosonic was established in 1986, and offers a range of specialist services including the latest smartphone technology, mobile broadband and cloud based IT solutions, tailored to meet business requirements.
For more information call Autosonic on 01224 661777.
Issued by Frasermedia Ltd on behalf of Autosonic.
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Contact: Donna Ross
Phone: 01224857999
Email: donna@frasermedia.co.uk
Website: http://www.frasermedia.co.uk
