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Improving the Security of UK Lone Workers

02 February 2018, 15:10 CET

Lone workers are exposed to greater levels of risk, and that’s bad news for the 8 million lone workers in the UK.

Improving the Security of UK Lone Workers

Lone workers are exposed to greater levels of risk, and that's bad news for the 8 million lone workers in the UK. Its evident British companies have not addressed the security of lone workers.

Who are the Lone Workers?

Lone works can be found in just about every industry. The most common examples include:

  • Farmers. They work far from everybody else as they handle heavy equipment, so they're more prone to accidents with no one around to help them.
  • Utility professionals. Meter readers and plumbers go out into the field all by themselves and they encounter other people without a coworker nearby to assist them.
  • Late night retail workers. They protect the till, but they're often alone when other people encounter them.
  • Social and health workers. They visit patients in their homes and they're often alone when they do so. Some of these patients can be violent, while criminals may also target these workers to steal medications and prescription drugs.
  • Security guards. Many worksites employ security guards who work all by themselves.

What Are the Risks to the Safety?

When employees work alone, there's no one to help them if they get sick or hurt while on the job. They may also encounter a hostile member of the public who could threaten their safety.

It's been found by surveys that about 150 lone workers are verbally or physically assaulted daily as they go about their work. Another surveyed also confirmed that about two-thirds of all UK workplaces aren't able to protect these lone workers adequately. So what needs to be done?

Accidents pose a great risk for people who work alone. One example is the utility worker who went to unblock a water filter alone. He fell through a filtration tank hole into more than 6 feet of water and drowned.

Another example is the tube driver who encountered a gang of graffiti artists while returning his train back to the depot. The vandals assaulted the driver and stole his radio.

So What's To Be Done?

Security experts recommend several measures to enhance the security of the people who work alone:

  • Proper workplace risk assessment. This identifies the possible hazards of various locations and situations, so that measures can be put in place to preempt these problems. The risks must be found, and it should be determined who can get hurt in what ways. The risks must be evaluated and precautions must be stringently carried out.
  • On site patrols. The risk to lone workers can be reduced if they're not always alone. That's why some companies use roving patrols or supervisor visits to make sure all employees are in good health. At least with regular backup, there are times when the lone workers can have the assistance they need even without calling for help.
  • Secure locks. The members of the public represent a security risk for lone workers. Unauthorized entry can be prevented through stronger locks and alarms.
  • GPS and communication devices. These can help monitoring centers know where all their lone workers are, and they can be alerted if there's any sign of trouble. Lone workers can also use these devices to check in regularly or to call for emergency assistance.
  • Training in conflict resolution and self-defense. Employees may benefit from training on how to calm down irate customers. If they do become violent, self-defense training can help.

The complete solution on lone worker safety depends on what risks are involved. But the greatest risk is to ignore the whole issue altogether, and this is a risk that UK businesses can't afford to make.

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