Are you an employer employing a lone worker?

As an employee you must take care of your own health and safety and that of others who could be harmed by your actions. But an employer has specific duties to protect a lone worker, even those working for them as a contractor, a freelancer or are self-employed.   Here’s what the HSE says https://www.hse.gov.uk/lone-working/employer/manage-the-risks-of-working-alone.htm

What is the definition of a Lone Worker?

The HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) states that a Lone Worker is someone who works by themselves without close or direct supervision, even for a very short time. So, if someone is working for you and they’re not with another member of your staff, they are considered a Lone Worker in the eyes of the law.  You have a responsibility for your staff’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing, even if they are working onsite alone; working from home; on someone else’s property; or travelling between jobs during work time.  Risks dramatically increase if staff are working in “uncontrolled” environments – such as places open to the public and going to someone else’s property.

Here are just SOME examples of Lone Worker situations

    • Shop worker
    • Health Worker
    • Estate Agent
    • Security staff
    • Cleaner
    • Financial Adviser

    • Receptionist 
    • Delivery Driver
    • Homeworker
    • Staff out for external meetings / courses
    • Someone working outside of normal office hours
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How can you protect your lone workers?

As an employer, you must risk assess and manage any health and safety risks BEFORE staff can work alone. These situations might not be intrinsically dangerous, but the business is still responsible, even with a minor incident. You can look after your lone workers by putting policies and robust safety systems in place to minimise any risk. You should consider a Lone Worker App, such as MyTeamSafe®  which is an affordable award-winning Lone Worker solution that enables companies to keep in control of their staff’s safety.

 

How does MyTeamSafe® Work?

Download our easy-to-use mobile app and once registered you can log in to start. There’s also a Windows app option which is great for those who work from home. There’s no need to worry if you have low signal when using the mobile App as there is an automated SMS/Text fallback. Even a dead battery will see escalations still happen!

COMPANY ADMINISTRATOR 

Once you have registered your business an account with us, you’re able to make a start by adding your lone working staff onto the system (users). 

USERS 

Once added to the system, the user will automatically be emailed their log details and a password.  They’re then able to use MyTeamSafe® .

SUPERVISORS  

Supervisors can easily check on their team directly from the App or Desktop dashboard to view live status of all staff, including locations, interactive reports, and user administration. Supervisors can set customisable strategies (how often they want users to check-in and exactly what happens at each step when they don’t).  

DEPUTY

Deputies can be specified, so that If the Supervisor marks themselves as absent, notifications are automatically switched to the deputy.

WELLBEING  

Employee wellbeing is a critical element for an ongoing successful business and MyTeamSafe®  solves this complex problem by offering the option to periodically ask remote users to answer specific “rated” questions within the app. These are specific and defined by your organisation. This enables companies to log how your remote workforce is and keep the data to review over time.

Examples: 

  • Have you had a screen break in the last 2 hours? 
  • How are you coming with your work load this week? 
  • How would you rate your sense of work-life balance this month?
  • Is your workspace suitable?
  • Have you had a team meeting in the last month?