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Growing Trends for Lone Worker Safety This Summer
Non-invasive Monitoring
In response to these challenges and increased risks, lone worker safety is embracing the benefits and security of remote monitoring to make sure these people are ok and can be in an emergency. What was previously viewed as “micromanaging”—remote monitoring of the lone worker’s activities or location—when performed transparently and consensually is very beneficial to both the employee and employer.
Technologies such as advanced wearables, safety apps and software, GPS devices, and smart clothing and PPE are compact and accessible, creating virtually no disruption to operations and the work itself. The OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool app can determine the forecasted and current heat index at a work site.
Proactive Risk Management
This leads to the overall trend of proactive hazard assessment in lone worker safety, in which employers are consistently identifying and mitigating dangers facing lone workers before they hurt anyone. Rather than the stresses and problems of reactive lone worker safety, there is peace of mind knowing that hazards have been documented and safety is a priority. Also, this proactive direction improves lone-worker awareness of their work environment as well as local legislation and regulations.
Focus on Mental Health
The psychological safety of a workplace is a common topic, and the mental health of lone workers is especially important. Because they are typically isolated and are alone for extended periods of time, a lone worker’s emotional health can be impacted. When you incorporate factors such as heat stress and the psychological toll it can take on the worker, the mental health – and physical health – of lone workers must be a top concern for employers this summer.
Check-in for Safety
When the days start getting hotter and feeling longer, employers and managers need to check in with their lone workers on a more regular basis, to see how they are doing both physically and psychologically. Strong, internal communications and check-in systems have a wide range of benefits for all levels of the company. Not only does this help make sure these people remain safe at their jobs, but it also provides valuable information to satisfy their occupational safety needs down the road. Most importantly, checking in with lone workers initiates valuable discussion and conversation around their workplace safety, showing that their feedback is valued and their well-being is important.
A Positive Direction
Lone workers are arguably more vulnerable than ever since the pandemic. The growing trends of more proactively identifying and eliminating hazards early and transparent, non-invasive monitoring with a focus on mental health are taking lone worker safety in a direction where people can work in the heat safely, no matter what their location is.
About the Author
Gen Handley is a Marketing and Growth Coordinator for SafetyLine Lone Worker, an automated, cloud-based lone worker monitoring service that helps companies protect remote or isolated workers. Gen has more than 10 years of freelance writing and marketing experience.