Lone Worker Solutions to Protect Remote Workers

What are Lone Worker Solutions?

Lone worker solutions are a combination of technology, procedures, and communication tools that ensure lone workers can carry out their work safely and receive emergency support. These solutions can help organizations stay compliant with lone worker safety regulations, streamline management processes, maintain open communications, and provide assistance when needed. Since lone workers often work alone in high-risk situations, these lone worker solutions can be their life line that connects them to safety, when needed.

Importance

Having lone worker solutions essentially boils down to three things: risk reduction, compliance, and operational efficiency. Having these solutions ensures better visibility, faster responses, and safer outcomes for employees working remotely.

Working alone exposes employees to a variety of hazards, and without direct access to supervision or backup support, these can quickly turn into fatalities. These dedicated solutions for lone workers ensure someone is alerted immediately if and when those hazards happen. Having the right and adequate lone worker solutions can help keep lone workers safe when they’re out of reach, as well as keep their supervisors informed of their activities and more importantly, if help is needed.

Related Regulations

During and especially after the COVID-19 pandemic,lone worker safety began to finally get the attention it warrants. Various governments worldwide have created different legislations and recommendations to ensure organizations protect their most vulnerable workers in response, all of which now considered best practice even during regular times.  Some governments have also outlined serious penalties relating to lone worker health and safety failures, ranging from fines to prison sentences.

Some of the most-well known lone worker solutions regulations around the world today are the following:

US

Though there’s still no single “lone worker law” in the US, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does have existing requirements that can be applied to lone working. OSHA Act of 1970’s, also known as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to provide their employees a workplace free from recognized and potential hazards that can cause serious harm or even death. This clause includes conducting scheduled check-ins during shifts and confirmation at the end of each shift to ensure their well-being, which can be done with a digital lone worker solution or workplace safety solution.

Thee’s also OSHA’s 29 CFR 1915.84, which requires employers to account for employees working alone in instances like confined spaces or isolated locations. It also mandates employers to regularly checking in on their workers with set intervals all throughout their shift as well as when the shift ends. This check-in can be done through  sight, verbal communication, or a digital tool, helping ensure their wellbeing and safety.

UK

In the UK, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 remains the main pillar of health and safety law. It requires employers to consider and rectify any health and safety risks before employees are allowed to work alone. Additionally, it recommends the use of a lone worker solution for monitoring across all worksites and teams, and for employers to keep in touch with lone workers.

Under this act, a lone worker solution is essential in helping provide  employees a hazard free and safe workplace. It’s also helpful for employers to keep contact with their workers to ensure their health, safety, and welfare at work, as the ideal solution helps with the sharing of  necessary information, instruction, training, and supervision.

Another regulation is the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which requires employers to assess risks and implement arrangements for health and safety, including where employees work alone. This guidance includes training, supervision, monitoring, and keeping in touch with lone workers before, during and after their shifts.

AU

Safe Work Australia is the national government body that develops, updates, and provides guidance on the Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws and related occupational safety regulations. They help ensure safety standards remain consistent nationwide. At the same time, each Australian state and territory is responsible for complying with its own Work Health and Safety ( WHS ) Act or Occupational Safety and Health ( OSH ) Act, depending on which legislation is in place.

To find out more on which territories adheres to which guideline, check out this guide on legislations in Australia for a more indepth breakdown.

Canada

In Canada, Part II of the Canada Labour Code ( CLC ) focuses on preventing work-related accidents and injuries. It states that every employer under federal jurisdiction must identify and assess hazards, and develop, implement, and monitor a hazard prevention program in respose. The CLC also states that health and safety education and training must be provided to lone workers as needed.

Relatedly, the federal guide on lone workers clarifies that employers must also eliminate or reducing hazards as they are spotted. They should also provide lone workers the appropriate tools, technology, equipment, Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ), and safe work procedures to ensure their safety while on duty.

Why Your Organization Needs a Lone Worker Solution

In today’s fast-moving workplaces, more and more employees are starting to complete tasks aloneor out of earshot of colleagues, making the need for lone worker solutions more prevalent than ever. A dedicated lone worker safety solution is no longer optional; it’s an essential part of modern risk management.

In particular, the right lone worker solution can also help with:

• Government compliance: Helps organizations meet workplace health and safety laws by documenting employee activities, hazards, and incidents, as well as reduce legal liability by ensuring required records are properly maintained, especially when digital

• Safety practices and procedures: Ensures and maintains compliance with strong safety policies through the use of customizable dashboards, escalation chains, and optional 24/7 monitoring

• Real-time monitoring: Keeps lone workers connected to leaders through GPS visibility, activity data, and scheduled check-ins to support fast, coordinated emergency responses

• Emergency support: Equips lone workers to handle emergencies and also provide a clear, reliable way for them to call for and receive assistance when unexpected situations arise