In an emergency, the reality for lone workers is that no one is near to provide aid.
What can help?
“Human connection and strong safety habits,” the Texas Department of Insurance’s Division of Workers’ Compensation says.
The division offers these tips to help keep lone workers safe on the job:
Set up regular check-ins. Supervisors should always know the location of their lone workers. Set up specific times the worker will check in throughout the day. Workers can send a quick text, call in or use an automated system to indicate they’re safe.
Provide hands-on training. Prepare workers for what they may face on the job by training them in various scenarios. “Run drills for gas leaks, falls, medical emergencies or acts of violence so the right response becomes automatic.”
Use real-time devices. Wearable devices such as GPS trackers, sensors, panic buttons and more can alert supervisors to a worker experiencing an unsafe situation.
Offer support. Lone work can be isolating, so supervisors will want to make sure they stay connected. Visit the jobsites of lone workers and host team calls. You can also encourage them to share their concerns and provide them with health, safety and stress-management resources.
