Employing a lone worker? Here are 10 apps that have got your back

Employees that work alone often lack the safety or backup of those around them should they face confrontation, injury, or otherwise require assistance. In many countries, the law requires employers to carefully consider and then mitigate the health and safety risks to employees working alone. Although working alone is synonymous with contractors and employees in isolated or remote locations, in the eyes of the law, it’s possible to be surrounded by a thousand people and still be working alone. By definition a lone worker can actually include:

• Staff on the night shift working in petrol stations
• Contractors working inside occupied premises but in isolation of any close or direct supervision
• Delivery workers
• Cleaners
• Repair staff
• Security guards on lone patrol
• Workers involved in construction
• Miners
• Maintenance and repair staff in the field
• Agricultural and forestry workers
• Telecommunications technicians
• Rural delivery drivers
• Social and medical workers
• Estate agents
• And many more…

Managing the risks associated with employees and contractors working alone can be a challenge. Luckily, there is a wide range of apps and services available to help organisations reduce the chances of lone worker injury or loss of life.

This is not an ‘exhaustive’ or a ‘best of’ list but here are 10 great apps available globally that offer a wide range of features and services to help you get ahead of Lone Worker health and safety, and compliance.

1. Crystalball
2. Grace Industries
3. Guardian24
4. Lone Alert
5. ProTELEC CheckMate
6. SoloProtect
7. StaySafeApp
8. SaferMe
9. Tracetrak
10. WhosOnLocation – Lone Worker Management

Above: MRI OnLocation can send you an SMS or email alert to notify you when someone has exceeded their expected duration on-site.

Some common ways organisations manage the health and safety of their Lone Workers are:

• Systematic Risk Assessments
• Developing a Lone Worker Policy
• Implementing a Buddy System
• Lone Worker Training
• Conflict Management Training
• Using monitoring systems and equipment (Panic Alarms, Mandown (fall/impact) Detectors, Pendant Trackers, and GPS Mobile Apps
• Inductions specific to lone worker

Some apps, like MRI OnLocation, or Guardian24’s mobile app, leverage a worker’s smartphone. Others, like SoloProtect’s Identicom, or Grace Industries require a worker to carry a specific, fit-for-purpose device. Each app addresses different Lone Worker situations and needs, such as Lone Worker monitoring.

Regardless of what requirements organisations need to address the safety and security of their Lone Workers, there is a solution that will meet the requirements of most organisations within the huge range apps and services now available.