Lone workers don’t have an easy task. Some will love the chance to be out on the road on their own or handling important tasks completely independently. It can give them a chance to shine and show off their talents. However, it doesn’t take long before the workload becomes too much to handle, and they start to struggle without additional support. That’s where companies and management need to step in. Monitoring schemes, welfare checks, and check calls can all make things a lot easier.
Why Is It So Important To Check In With Lone Workers?
Lone workers face a range of risks when heading out to work on their own. The biggest problem here is a lack of immediate support from a colleague. Some companies will make sure to put two people on a job to minimize the risk, but that isn’t always practical. There are also plenty of tasks where it makes sense to send an available driver or engineer over last minute. While this can be great for business in terms of response times and the number of jobs completed, it isn’t always so good for the workers. Too many end up suffering from the physical and mental strain and feeling isolated and unheard. Also, while some will speak out about their situation to advocate for better conditions and protect colleagues, that isn’t always the case. Instead, many will go with the flow and agree to solo jobs at any time to appear competent, reliable, and eager to succeed. The problem here is that this silence can prolong the problem. Companies that don’t hear negative stories and feedback just assume that everything is fine.
The Health And Safety Risks Associated With Lone Working
Additionally, there are significant health and safety risks involved in working alone. Companies that take the time to check in with their workers via BodyTrak check calls or other methods can help to reduce these threats and keep employees safe. Physical health and safety should never be compromised here. Employers can’t continue to allow workers to undergo dangerous tasks without regular welfare checks. This includes any sort of high-risk situation, such as working in confined spaces, dealing with dangerous substances, driving in bad conditions, and electrical work. Furthermore, there is the chance that workers are no longer capable due to illness or injury but are battling through regardless and not telling you.
Threats to physical health also come from third parties. There are occasions when workers are targeted because they are vulnerable and alone. Those working with expensive machinery, goods, or large amounts of cash are at risk of robbery. That robbery could be traumatic and violent, especially with no one there in support. There’s also the general risk of harassment and intimidation from larger groups. The risk can increase based on gender, age, race, and perceived religion.
Then, there are health and safety implications on the mental health of lone workers. Many will deal with stress and anxiety on the job because they’re doing everything themselves without immediate support. As soon as the job doesn’t go to plan or the workload increases, they take the brunt of the mental strain. This can also lead to longer hours than scheduled on the job to catch up without supervision. Companies that don’t check in and spot these trends early enough could see staff dealing with a decline in their general mental well-being. On top of this, companies should consider the impact of isolation from their peers. Working alone all the time can get lonely. So, checking in with staff can make a difference. But how do you do this in a way that’s effective and manageable without becoming overbearing and counter-productive?
What Can Employers Do To Help?
With so many different risk factors to contend with, it’s vital that companies do all they can to help lone employees stay connected, feel heard, and feel supported in their work. One starting point that some upper-management types may not appreciate is hands-on monitoring. Some supervisors may insist this is a waste of time and resources. However, these monitoring sessions can open their eyes to the realities of life for lone workers. These supervisors will go out to job sites and on the road with employees to see what they have to deal with daily. They can see how physically and mentally taxing the role is for one person and if there are any security risks to deal with. This insight could allow for positive changes.
Beyond this, management can also start talking with workers at the company’s base to improve lines of communication. As mentioned before, one of the obstacles here is that companies don’t see the issues because workers aren’t speaking out. So, it is important to encourage that one-on-one conversation in a friendly and professional manner. Let workers talk about their struggles without fear of being held back or reprimanded for it.
A final solution that goes a long way is to use a professional service for check calls. This is a reliable form of communication that checks in with lone workers to make sure they are ok. They are effective in keeping track of their well-being and setting up location updates while maintaining a stronger connection and less isolation. There are protocols for missed calls and messages, and the call is either initiated by the supervisor or by the worker. Smart solutions like BodyTrak also go further with fall detection and geolocation.
Welfare Checks For Lone Workers Are Essential
These tools aren’t a luxury for high-end companies or an occasional measure to show that managers aren’t completely out of the loop. Companies should employ as many of these measures as regularly as possible to help lone workers as best they can. If you are in this situation and feel you could do more for your workers, it’s not too late. Schedule those regular check calls to stay connected, open up dialogue with workers, and try to appreciate exactly what staff go through. They will feel a lot more secure in their jobs, and in their physical and mental health, and everyone will benefit in the long run.
