Do your lone workers have access to immediate assistance in emergencies?

In 2011, the first UK business was prosecuted under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 for failing to take adequate care of a lone worker, resulting in his death.

By Brian Curran, managing director, KeyPlus Security

Lone workers include employees working off-site such as drivers, surveyors, salespeople, health visitors and maintenance staff as well as on-site employees working by themselves - either such as individuals in small retail stores or those working unusual hours such as security and cleaning staff.

Many organisations believe that because their employees have mobile phones and GPS trackers fitted to company vehicles, they’re doing all that’s required to satisfy Lone Working risks. However, it’s not always enough to simply know where your employee is currently located. Are they ill, being threatened, attacked or incapacitated? What can they do in an emergency to let you or the emergency services know that they are in urgent need of assistance?