The Dangers of Working Alone

If your business hires workers for remote jobs, it is essential that you understand the dangers they face and create policies and procedures that help protect them. It is a company’s responsibility to its employees to provide safe working conditions whenever possible to ensure the well-being of everyone.

Know What is Considered a Lone Worker

First, you must recognize if any of your job categories consist of lone workers. Many people think of employees out on a remote job site such as oil or gas workers. That is just one instance where you have remote workers. If you have a worker who travels alone between jobs, he or she may also face unique dangers.

Employees who work alone at night even in the main office could be classified under this category. Consider anyone who works outside of normal business hours with limited access and support from other team members to fit in the lone worker category.

Types of Dangers They Face

Each situation will face unique dangers, but one common issue is the lack of easy communication with other employees or managers. No one is just down the hall or in the next cubicle for them to go to when they need help.

Lone workers may have to deal with the possibility of injuries with no help nearby. They also have other concerns, including:

• Traveling in adverse weather
• Traveling on remote roads where cell phone service is limited or nonexistent
• Danger from muggings or other crimes against them
• Vehicle breakdown
• Equipment breakdown or injury with no way to get to help

It is the employer’s responsibility to deal with the potential problems and prevent them as much as possible.

Dealing with the Dangers

The first step for employers is to review the dangers that their remote workers face. Every job and situation should have a policy or procedure in place to ensure safety. There should also be a contingency plan in effect if something should happen.

Employees must be thoroughly trained on their jobs to ensure that they understand every aspect. Safety training is mandatory in many jobs, but it should be included in all. All workers need to feel comfortable with what their jobs entail and what they would do in unplanned circumstances.

Maintaining contact with other personnel is the most important aspect of protecting lone workers and often the most difficult. Providing cell phones may be one answer, but this option only works in areas with service and if the worker is able to get to the phone in an emergency.

Another option is to have a check-in system. You can set up a program where the worker calls in at designated times. If a call is missed, an alert is sent out. This ensures that if the worker is unable to call for help, someone will be aware and send assistance to the location.

You must be aware of the challenges and dangers that are unique to a remote job or for a lone worker. By recognizing these issues and dealing with them, you can keep your workers safe.

Ashley Meszaros is the Owner/President of We An-Ser Communications in Calgary. We An-Ser Communications provides award winning call center services in Calgary, dispatching, medical answering services, man down services, lone worker support, wireless panic services and more. They service the North American market.

Ashley Meszaros is the Owner/President of We An-Ser Communications in Calgary. http://www.wean-ser.com/calgary-call-centre-services/