# OK Alone Blog — Sector Focus — Field Work, Industry and Transport Construction, utilities, energy, agriculture, surveying and outdoor work; transport, logistics and driving; security and guarding. > **Source:** OK Alone public blog, extracted from the retired `Ok Alone Blog.md` scrape. Marketing and thought-leadership content, not product specification — where a claim here conflicts with the Help Center files or `product-reference.md`, those win. Spellings are left as published (much of this was written for North American readers). Statistics quoted in older posts may be out of date — check the post date before reusing a figure, and never quote a price from here. **59 posts.** Contents: **Construction, Utilities and Field Work** - [Lone Working in HVAC and the Trades](#lone-working-in-hvac-and-the-trades) — December 13, 2023 - [What Artificial Intelligence thinks of Ok Alone](#what-artificial-intelligence-thinks-of-ok-alone) — December 11, 2023 - [3 Safety Considerations for Land Surveyors](#3-safety-considerations-for-land-surveyors) — December 6, 2023 - [3 Safety Considerations for Land Surveyors Who Work Alone](#3-safety-considerations-for-land-surveyors-who-work-alone) — December 6, 2023 - [Farming as a lone worker is the most dangerous industry in the UK](#farming-as-a-lone-worker-is-the-most-dangerous-industry-in-the-uk) — December 6, 2023 - [Is your Team Prepared? Lone Worker Safety System](#is-your-team-prepared-lone-worker-safety-system) — December 6, 2023 - [Why GPS technology Isn't Enough for Lone Worker Safety](#why-gps-technology-isn-t-enough-for-lone-worker-safety) — December 6, 2023 - [Lone worker protection technology for mining teams](#lone-worker-protection-technology-for-mining-teams) — October 17, 2023 - [The Rise of Lone Working in the Digital Age](#the-rise-of-lone-working-in-the-digital-age) — September 18, 2023 - [Building a Safer Future: The Importance of Safety Monitoring in the US Construction Industry](#building-a-safer-future-the-importance-of-safety-monitoring-in-the-us-construction-industry) — September 7, 2023 - [Lone Worker Monitoring System](#lone-worker-monitoring-system) — March 8, 2023 - [Lone Worker Monitoring](#lone-worker-monitoring) — March 8, 2023 - [Pitfalls of the Buddy System Lone Worker Protection Systems](#pitfalls-of-the-buddy-system-lone-worker-protection-systems) — March 8, 2023 - [Key aspects of lone worker check-in](#key-aspects-of-lone-worker-check-in) — March 8, 2023 - [Lone worker health and safety risk three categories and their risksLone worker health and safety : Who is at risk?](#lone-worker-health-and-safety-risk-three-categories-and-their-riskslone-worker-health-and-safety-who-is-at-risk) — March 8, 2023 - [You Can't Afford Not to Have a Lone Worker Safety System](#you-can-t-afford-not-to-have-a-lone-worker-safety-system) — March 8, 2023 - [Work safety tips for cold weather Lone worker safety systems](#work-safety-tips-for-cold-weather-lone-worker-safety-systems) — March 8, 2023 - [Keep Parks & Recreation Teams Safe Effective Lone Worker TechnologyKeeping Parks and Recreation Teams Safe Lone Worker Safety](#keep-parks-recreation-teams-safe-effective-lone-worker-technologykeeping-parks-and-recreation-teams-safe-lone-worker-safety) — March 8, 2023 - [Why Canadas Agricultural Lone Workers need Protecting](#why-canadas-agricultural-lone-workers-need-protecting) — February 28, 2023 - [Learn about Safety for the UKs Electrician Lone Workers](#learn-about-safety-for-the-uks-electrician-lone-workers) — February 28, 2023 - [Learn about Safety for US Lone Working Electricians](#learn-about-safety-for-us-lone-working-electricians) — February 28, 2023 - [A Firm Foundation: The Efforts to Improve Safety in Canadas Construction Industry](#a-firm-foundation-the-efforts-to-improve-safety-in-canadas-construction-industry) — February 28, 2023 - [Lone Worker Solutions Help Agricultural Industry Prevent Disaster](#lone-worker-solutions-help-agricultural-industry-prevent-disaster) — February 28, 2023 - [How Lone Working affects Grooms, Stable Hands and Farriers in North America](#how-lone-working-affects-grooms-stable-hands-and-farriers-in-north-america) — February 28, 2023 - [Lone Working in the Cannabis Industry](#lone-working-in-the-cannabis-industry) — February 28, 2023 - [Protecting Farm Lone Workers in Britains Most Dangerous Industry](#protecting-farm-lone-workers-in-britains-most-dangerous-industry) — February 28, 2023 - [Falling Short: The High Cost of Neglecting Safety in the UK Construction Industry](#falling-short-the-high-cost-of-neglecting-safety-in-the-uk-construction-industry) — February 28, 2023 - [Who is a Lone Worker?](#who-is-a-lone-worker) — February 28, 2023 **Transport, Logistics and Driving** - [Trusty Ox Systems announces the availability of its safety monitoring solution on the Geotab Marketplace](#trusty-ox-systems-announces-the-availability-of-its-safety-monitoring-solution-on-the-geotab-marketplace) — December 28, 2023 - [Delivery Logistics Company Case Study](#delivery-logistics-company-case-study) — December 15, 2023 - [What do people mean when they say Lone Worker in the Logistics industry?](#what-do-people-mean-when-they-say-lone-worker-in-the-logistics-industry) — December 13, 2023 - [5 key elements to your fleet safety program](#5-key-elements-to-your-fleet-safety-program) — December 6, 2023 - [A collaborative approach to safety strategy in Canadian logistics](#a-collaborative-approach-to-safety-strategy-in-canadian-logistics) — December 6, 2023 - [Work Alone Safety: Creating a Safe Space for Fixed-Site Lone Workers](#work-alone-safety-creating-a-safe-space-for-fixed-site-lone-workers) — December 6, 2023 - [Work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain 2023](#work-related-fatal-injuries-in-great-britain-2023) — August 8, 2023 - [How one of our employees used Ok Alone to stay safe while driving in Morocco](#how-one-of-our-employees-used-ok-alone-to-stay-safe-while-driving-in-morocco) — June 12, 2023 - [Improving the Safety of Employees who Drive for Work](#improving-the-safety-of-employees-who-drive-for-work) — March 10, 2023 - [I have GPS, What else do I need? An app for my lone workers?](#i-have-gps-what-else-do-i-need-an-app-for-my-lone-workers) — March 8, 2023 - [Drivers are Benefitting from Lone Worker Safety Apps](#drivers-are-benefitting-from-lone-worker-safety-apps) — March 8, 2023 - [How a Lone Worker App Protects Workers in High-Risk SituationsHow can a Lone Worker App Protect Your People in High-Risk Situations?](#how-a-lone-worker-app-protects-workers-in-high-risk-situationshow-can-a-lone-worker-app-protect-your-people-in-high-risk-situations) — March 8, 2023 - [Lone Worker Protection](#lone-worker-protection) — March 8, 2023 - [Lone worker safety for snow plow drivers. 5 hot tipsWinter has arrived. Snowplow drivers need lone worker safety too](#lone-worker-safety-for-snow-plow-drivers-5-hot-tipswinter-has-arrived-snowplow-drivers-need-lone-worker-safety-too) — March 8, 2023 - [Does your team really need a lone worker safety system?](#does-your-team-really-need-a-lone-worker-safety-system) — March 8, 2023 - [Simple safety advice for women driving alone](#simple-safety-advice-for-women-driving-alone) — March 8, 2023 - [The Most Common Workplace Safety Policy Violations](#the-most-common-workplace-safety-policy-violations) — March 8, 2023 - [How to Recognise and Avoid Aggressive Driving](#how-to-recognise-and-avoid-aggressive-driving) — February 28, 2023 - [Dos and Donts to keep Lone Working Drivers Safe](#dos-and-donts-to-keep-lone-working-drivers-safe) — February 28, 2023 - [Drive Mode For Even Safer Lone Worker Check Ins](#drive-mode-for-even-safer-lone-worker-check-ins) — February 28, 2023 - [How International Driving Laws affect Lone Workers](#how-international-driving-laws-affect-lone-workers) — February 28, 2023 - [7 Important Features of a Lone Worker App for Drivers](#7-important-features-of-a-lone-worker-app-for-drivers) — February 28, 2023 - [As a Lone Worker can I use my phone whilst driving in Canada?](#as-a-lone-worker-can-i-use-my-phone-whilst-driving-in-canada) — February 28, 2023 - [Using your Lone Worker App when Driving in the US](#using-your-lone-worker-app-when-driving-in-the-us) — February 28, 2023 - [Monitor driver safety away from the vehicle](#monitor-driver-safety-away-from-the-vehicle) — February 28, 2023 - [Why Drivers need a Lone Worker Safety Monitoring Solution](#why-drivers-need-a-lone-worker-safety-monitoring-solution) — February 28, 2023 - [Situation Not Normal Is Your Mind on Your Driving?](#situation-not-normal-is-your-mind-on-your-driving) — February 28, 2023 **Security and Guarding** - [Lone Working Canadian Security Guards Need Help](#lone-working-canadian-security-guards-need-help) — May 25, 2023 - [The Dangers of Being a Lone Working Security Guard in the U.K](#the-dangers-of-being-a-lone-working-security-guard-in-the-u-k) — March 9, 2023 - [Protecting Lone Working Security Guards in the US](#protecting-lone-working-security-guards-in-the-us) — February 28, 2023 - [Are Your Security Guards Sleeping on the Job? (Security Specific Features of a Lone Worker System)](#are-your-security-guards-sleeping-on-the-job-security-specific-features-of-a-lone-worker-system) — February 28, 2023 --- # Construction, Utilities and Field Work ## Lone Working in HVAC and the Trades *December 13, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* What are HVAC and the Trades? There are many different occupations that fall into the HVAC and Trades category: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Plumbers, Electricians, Roofers, Carpenters and many, many more. The May 2020 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for the United States has 656,5100 registered Electricians. They also state the number of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers as 344,020, however, these figures don't include self-employed workers, so the real numbers are much higher. ### HVAC lone working in North America According to hvac.com there are over 118,000 HVAC companies registered in the U.S at present and the 2020 statistics showed 25,674 companies registered in Canada. These figures show that there are currently millions of people working in trades throughout North America. HVAC lone working in the United Kingdom Although the population sizes differ hugely, this is a field that is well represented in the United Kingdom as well. The recent Labour Force Survey from April-June of 2018 showed the following employment figures:* Sample size too small for reliable estimate. Source: ONS Labour Force Survey April-June 2018 One aspect of working in the trades is that workers are frequently required to work on their own. Unless it is a large job you don't usually get two electricians working together or two plumbers. They go to a location, complete the job and leave, alone. This means a large majority of this industrys workforce are lone workers. ### Lone Worker Legislation for HVAC and the Trades Under the legislation of the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom all companies with lone workers are required to have a communications system in place. Companies need to have frequent verbal confirmation that lone workers are safe and well. The HSE (U.K), OSHA (U.S) and CCOHS (Canada) recommend the implementation of monitoring procedures that include check-ins at pre-agreed intervals with workers. ### How Ok Alone can help HVAC and the Trades Ok Alone, the lone worker safety app, allows workers to check in at regular intervals and request help if they need it. The system has GPS capabilities that can locate a worker if they are out on a job and fail to check-in. Using Ok Alone means that someone else will be notified if a worker doesn't check-in or requests immediate assistance and that person can then act to get help. ### HVAC and the High Risk Feature Other features of Ok Alone include the High Risk function where workers can change the frequency of their check-in depending on their circumstances. The check-in can be set to every 10 minutes if required. Using this feature also alerts the workers company that they are entering an area they do not feel safe in. This function allows the worker to inform their company of their new situation without having to phone in. ### HVAC and the Man Down Function The Man Down (worker down) function notifies a workers office if there has been no movement within a set amount of time (3 minutes 1 hour). If no movement is detected the phone will sound an alarm alerting the worker that there has been no movement. If this alert is not responded to by the worker, it will be escalated to the workers allocated monitor and they will contact the worker. The helpful reminder/alarm to the worker first means there will be less false alarms sent to either the monitor or the call centre. For a free trial of the Ok Alone lone worker solution go to free trial page. 1 https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes472111.htm 2 https://www.bls.gov/oes/2020/may/oes499021.htm 3 https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/heating-air-conditioning-contractors-united-states/ 4 https://www.statista.com/statistics/604938/number-of-plumbing-and-hvac-contractors-by-province-canada/ www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Lone Working in SchoolsSacramentos Hotel Worker Panic Button Legislation Recent Posts about Ok AloneWhat is Lone Working and other Relevant Questions WorkSafeBC update to Work Alone Regulations Lone worker protection technology for mining teams CSSE 2016 Lone worker safety systems Does your Workplace Emergency Response Plan have those who Work Alone Covered? Free Lone Worker Protection for People Volunteering at Your Charity Event How your Workers can become Safety Champions Work Alone Devices Available for your Lone Workers --- ## What Artificial Intelligence thinks of Ok Alone *December 11, 2023 · Stacey Manclark We thought it might be fun if we asked three different AI tools questions about Ok Alone and employee safety monitoring apps. So, we asked the same five questions to Bard, ChatGPT and Microsoft Bing.What is the highest rated lone worker app?Which lone worker app has the best range of safety features?Why should I choose Ok Alone for my lone worker app?Which industries would benefit from using Ok Alone?What is the best use of Ok Alone? 1. What is the highest rated lone worker app? ChatGPT did not know the answer as it states I dont have real-time access to the internet or the ability to browse app stores, however, it does list the 6 top apps, including Ok Alone.Both Bing and Bard do have access to live data and were able to confirm that Ok Alone is the highest ranked lone worker app with a 4.8/5 rating on the Google Play Store and a 4.9/5 rating on the Apple App Store.* The highest rated lone worker app is Ok Alone. It has a 4.8/5 rating on the Google Play Store and a 4.9/5 rating on the Apple App Store. Google Bard According to my sources, Ok Alone is the highest rated lone worker app on both the Apple App Store and Android Play Store 12. Is there anything else you would like to know about lone worker apps? Microsoft Bing Chat 2. Which lone worker app has the best range of safety features? We asked all three AI which lone worker app had the best range of safety features and were over the moon with their responses. ChatGPT created a list and said Ok Alone was number one with its extensive range of safety features. Bing and Bard didn't give a straight answer as they said different features were for different purposes, but both said Ok Alone was one of the best lone worker apps. Ok Alone: Ok Alone provides a wide array of safety features, including check-ins, man down detection, GPS location tracking, two-way communication, and emergency SOS buttons. Chat GPT Ok Alone is a comprehensive lone worker safety app that offers a variety of features, including location tracking, check-ins, a panic button, and incident reporting. It is available for both Android and iOS devices. Google Bard 3. Why should I choose Ok Alone for my lone worker app? This was a more challenging question we set, asking the AI to give reasons why people should choose Ok Alone and justify their answers. Bard gave us 7 bullet points ranging from ease of use to improved staff morale. Bing pointed out that Ok Alone makes staff working remotely feel safer and highlighted our safety awards and escalation procedure wizard (that means it will help you write it, not that it involves wizards).ChatGPT was also a huge fan, listing 7 points looking at the customisable features including flexible check in times and pointed out our affordability in competitive pricing. As of my last update, Ok Alone was a well-regarded lone worker safety app. Here are a few reasons why some organizations chose it: Comprehensive Features, Live Monitoring, Wide Compatibility, Flexible Check-in, Customizable Alerts, Work Alone Policies Compliance, Affordability Chat GPT Ok Alone is a reliable and affordable lone worker app that can help to keep lone workers safe. It offers a comprehensive range of safety features and is monitored 24/7 by a team of experts. If you are looking for a lone worker app, Ok Alone is a great option. Google Bard 4. Which industries would benefit from using Ok Alone? We got really comprehensive answers from the AI when asking them about which industries could benefit from using Ok Alone. Between them they listed 20 occupations that would benefit from their staff having the enhanced safety of a lone worker solution. ChatGPT gave us healthcare, construction and forestry and agriculture among others. Bard suggested security, logistics and manufacturing as a few of the possible industries. Bing thought those working in municipalities/government, education and HVAC technicians would be some of the industries who are a good fit for Ok Alone. Ok Alone is beneficial for a wide range of industries where employees often work alone or in isolated environments. Here are some industries that can benefit from using Ok Alone: Construction, Oil and Gas, Utilities and Energy, Healthcare, Security and Facilities Management, Field Services, Transportation and Delivery, Forestry and Agriculture, Hospitality and Tourism & Education and Research. Chat GPT Ok Alone can be used by any industry that has workers who work alone or in remote locations. Some examples of industries that benefit from using Ok Alone are: Care workers, Security guards, Municipal/Government, Logistics and transportation, Electricians, HVAC employees, Farming, Universities and schools. Microsoft Bing Chat 5. What is the best use of Ok Alone? When we asked what the best use was we weren't sure if they would list features or give us some industries again. ChatGPT highlighted 6 features like the timed check in and help button before giving a fantastic overview of the best use for Ok Alone,Overall, the best use of Ok Alone is to provide a comprehensive safety solution for lone workers, offering real-time monitoring, effective communication, and rapid response capabilities. By implementing this system, organizations can prioritize the well-being of their employees, mitigate potential risks, and ensure a safer working environment. Bing gave a very short summary of how the best use of Ok Alone is to keep workers safe and comply with work alone regulations. Bard covered all areas, it listed features like GPS location tracking and incident reporting, but also recommended more occupations like delivery drivers who should use the solution to improve their safety. Conclusion It is great to see that all three artificial intelligence tools have such a high opinion and clear understanding of what Ok Alone does and how it can help people working independently. Having an extensive range of safety features and customisable settings means Ok Alone is suitable for use across a very broad range of industries and occupations. The solution means employees can work in remote locations or be frontline with the public and know that they have a way of requesting help that will also highlight their exact position. www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Our Response to Work Smarter Magazines Top five lone worker apps ArticleProtect your Lone Workers with an iHelp Device and Ok Alone --- ## 3 Safety Considerations for Land Surveyors *December 6, 2023 · Ok Alone* Land surveyors have special requirements when it comes to safety. Do you know what they are? This article explores 3 key areas for you to consider as you develop your safety policies. Discover 3 hot safety tips for land surveyors.. Favourite customer feature of the month: SMS Check-ins Some workers don't have data plans with their phones, so Ok Alone allows them to check-in using a simple SMS message. The process is straightforward, text your worker ID, your status and any written message youd like to give to your monitor and press send. Here is an example 56804,ok, My starting mileage today is 115487kms. HOT TIP: Several Ok Alone customers use SMS messages to keep track of things like a workers mileage. Learn more about how it could work for you www.okaloneworker.com Safety Zone from Ok AloneKey aspects of lone worker check-in Recent Posts about Ok AloneTop 10 Features of our Lone Worker App What Artificial Intelligence thinks of Ok Alone How to use Man Down on Android Smartphones Lone Worker Legislation & Policy for Tasmania What People think of the Ok Alone Lone Worker App CSSE 2016 Lone worker safety systems Reducing Workplace Accidents Legislation for Lone Working in New Brunswick High-Risk Situations Californias heat-related illness regulations --- ## 3 Safety Considerations for Land Surveyors Who Work Alone *December 6, 2023 · Ok Alone* Every morning, we get up and go about our day assuming well come home safely tonight. Thankfully, that is almost always true. For land surveyors, there are 3 special safety concerns that you should pay close attention to when you work alone. Traffic Often you will find yourself parked on the side of a road or motorway. You may follow safety guidelines that recommend placing warning signs or orange cones in your work area and wearing a high visibility vest. This helps, but drivers are often thinking about other things. Sometimes despite these precautions, they don't see you. The speed awareness programme in the UK claims if you have a break down next to the motor way and you stay in your car, your life expectancy is 12 minutes. Even if this number is wildly inaccurate, it highlights the need to stay alert when you're working near traffic. Unstable terrain What looks like a perfectly safe plot of land, may have hidden dangers underneath. There are an increasing number of sink holes randomly appearing in both urban and rural settings. Land on the edge of water or river banks is also prone to unexpected shifts. Before starting work in an area, survey the situation and go through an appropriate hazard assessment process. Building site hazards Each building site is unique and my have its own set of safety procedures. Always check in with the foreman or site manager and determine which safety gear is appropriate for the conditions. This would include everything from wearing steel toe boots, hard hats, high visibility vests or protective eye-wear. Despite our best efforts, sometimes things still go wrong. If you find yourself working alone or in isolation, having a reliable check-in system in place is very important. This is especially true if you find yourself going into high risk situations like the ones above. Ok Alone allows you to check-in as little or as much as you need. It also has a special high risk check-in feature, giving workers the option to check-in in as little as 10 minutes. Or you can quickly tell people you're safe and send them a message using an sms to check-in. By having a work alone monitoring system in place, you'll have the comfort of knowing help is available should you ever need it. Try it for yourself. Most customers take 10 minutes or less to be fully up and running. And with a free trial, there's no risk to you. Sign up now. www.okaloneworker.com Home Care Lone Workers Need Safety Solution to Work AloneLooking after retail staff who work alone Recent Posts about Ok AloneUse Siri to Check in Hands Free Integrations with Ok Alone Social Distancing for Lone Workers Lone Worker App for Android from Ok Alone New Jerseys Hotel Lone Worker Legislation Work Alone Devices Available for your Lone Workers Why you Need a Lone Worker App --- ## Farming as a lone worker is the most dangerous industry in the UK *December 6, 2023 · Ok Alone* The HSE has released their latest figures for 2018 about UK health and safety and the results may be surprising for some. The annual HSE report always makes for sobering reading. The good news is that health and safety standards continue to improve but as always there is still room for improvement. What may be surprising to anyone unfamiliar with the state of health and safety in UK industry is which is the most dangerous industry. Construction, off shore drilling and mining, may all have a reputation for being dangerous, but they are still well behind one industry farming. In fact, farming happens to be one of the most dangerous industries in the whole world. Over the course of the past 12 months, 27 people have been killed working on farms in the UK. This equates to fatalities per 100,000 rate of 7.6% far higher than the all industry average of just 0.43%. Why is farming so dangerous? The isolated nature of agriculture means that farmers are often working on their own In a remote location. When you consider that the job involves heavy machinery and large animals, the increased risk of injury is easy to see. The HSE statistics also reveal that people aged over 60 accounted for a quarter of all fatalities over the last year. This is significant because people aged 60 or older account for just 10% of the workforce. Because so many farmers work alone, there is little (if any) opportunity for oversight. Risk assessments are not checked by a third party, which means that potential dangers go unrecognised. Are there lessons for the construction industry? Although statistically safer, the construction industry is still a relatively high risk particularly in terms of injury. In order to drive down the rate of incidents, construction firms can still learn from the farming industry. 1. Ensure adequate staffing Lone workers are at most risk of being involved in a fatal accident. Although some tasks do not require multiple employees for completion, increasing headcount may help to reduce those risks. It is your legal duty to protect employees, so the additional costs may actually be a small price to pay when peoples lives are at risk. 2. Use equipment correctly and safely Heavy equipment is a standard aspect of almost all construction sites. Your employees need to know how to use machinery safely before beginning any task. You should also routinely monitor their activities to ensure that equipment is being used correctly. 3. Have risk assessments assessed To ensure that your risk assessments are fit for purpose and that nothing is being overlooked, you must regularly review them all. For additional protection, you should also consider having your risk assessments audited by an experienced third party who can also make suggestions that will improve the protections offered to employees. Confirmation of improvement Although the HSE report documents the number of failings, at work fatalities and incidents are decreasing. This is a testament to the hard work of businesses who are raising standards for their employees long may it continue. This blog was written by Veritas Consulting Safety Services in Birmingham UK which Ok Alone is pleased to share with permission. Veritas is an SMEs favourite go-to consultant for health and safety know-how. Bucket loads of experience. Fluent in practical advice. Solutionist with a brain you can pick. www.okaloneworker.com Legislation & Policy for Lone Workers in ManitobaCity of Santa Monica: Chapter 4.67 Hotel Worker Protection Recent Posts about Ok Alone7 Important Features of a Lone Worker App for Drivers 3 Safety Considerations for Land Surveyors Is Lone Working Dangerous and other Questions Working from home. Working alone Keep Moving with Man Down on our Lone Worker App --- ## Is your Team Prepared? Lone Worker Safety System *December 6, 2023 · Ok Alone* Seasonal Safety: Is your Team Prepared? Its common knowledge that workers in the forest industry are at high risk of accident or injury. In fact, working as a faller regularly tops the list of dangerous occupations in numerous countries worldwide. But its not only fallers that are in danger, many other forestry occupations are risky, and some of those jobs are seasonal, so crews may be largely made up of rookie workers, learning new tasks in critically dangerous situations. Obviously, the more training your staff gets before heading out to the bush to plant or thin trees, pile slash or perform any of the myriad tasks required in any forestry operation, the better. Even if your crew is made up of seasoned forestry industry workers, regular instruction and retraining in methodology is useful when switching between tasks during the course of the season. Lone worker safety should be at the top of your list of priorities when preparing to send out seasonal workers, regardless of their level of experience. The hazards of working in isolated locations, with heavy equipment, manipulating objects that could crush a person instantly, are legion and lets not forget the risks of wildlife encounters! The forest industry is already benefiting from advanced lone worker safety systems Many companies are now employing lone worker monitoring systems to mitigate risks to their staff. Satellite enabled devices allow you to keep in contact with your remote workers, wherever they are, providing instant communication should an incident occur. The ability to provide a prompt response can save lives! Ok Alones lone worker protection system offers an easy to use safety app that allows your workers to check in at predetermined intervals. If they don't, you will know immediately. How a missed check in is managed will depend on your escalation procedure. Give your team the tools they need to stay safe on the job. Contact us today to learn more. Not sure it will work for your company? Our free trial will convince you. www.okaloneworker.com Lone Worker ProtectionDoes your Workplace Emergency Response Plan have those who Work Alone Covered? Recent Posts about Ok AloneTrusty Ox Systems announces the availability of its safety monitoring solution on the Geotab Marketplace High risk situations for Lone Workers Protecting Lone Working Security Guards in the US How Municipalities use Ok Alone OSHA Regulations 1915, 1910 and 1926 for Lone Working HVAC Technicians Lone Worker App for Windows from Ok Alone Lone Working in the Cannabis Industry Iridium Extreme 9575 Satellite Phone Lone Working with Siri on your iPhone Canadian Privacy Laws --- ## Why GPS technology Isn't Enough for Lone Worker Safety *December 6, 2023 · Ok Alone* ### Why GPS Technology Isn't Enough to Keep Lone Workers Safe Where are your people? You may think that your GPS system is keeping track of where everyone is as they go about their work, but GPS has definite shortcomings. It may be able to tell you where your lone worker is, but it won't tell you how they are. There is a much better way to address lone worker safety. For those who work in alone and in isolated locations, such as land surveyors, inspectors, energy industry and oil & gas industry employees, communication is critical. ### Simple, Effective Safety and Security Technology The Ok Alone safety app is a lone worker protection system that allows easy two-way communication, surpassing GPS technology, even beyond cell phone range. If you are working alone and have no cell service, access to a land line or internet, you can get Live Operator monitoring for satellite devices, keeping you in touch no matter where you are. Our system is uncomplicated to implement and can be customized to your requirements. Its simple to vary the frequency of check-ins or adjust how quickly a monitor receives a missed check-in alert. Contact us to learn how every lone workers safety can be assured. ### Affordable Lone Worker Safety with No Long Term Contracts The OK Alone system provides lone worker monitoring that is superior to GPS AND affordable (see our pricing), there are no long term contracts to sign and we can get you up and running in only a few minutes. Not ready to commit? How about a free, 7 day trial? www.okaloneworker.com Healthcare Industry Prioritize Lone Worker Protection SystemsThe latest in lone worker safety technology at IFSEC 2016 Recent Posts about Ok AloneLone Worker Legislation & Policy in Canada Massachusetts Safer Hotels for Workers Act Single point of contact made easy Lone Working Jobs in Ireland Delivery Logistics Company Case Study GPS Monitoring for your Lone Workers with the Ok Alone App Work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain 2023 A Day in a Life with Ok Alone Legislation & Policy for Lone Workers in Quebec --- ## Lone worker protection technology for mining teams *October 17, 2023 · Ok Alone* Advanced, Easy to Implement Lone Worker Protection Technology is the Future for Mining Teams Mining has benefited from new technologies, perhaps more than any other industry. Inherently high risk, thoughtful investment in lone worker protection tools has already improved health and safety issues across the industry. Lone worker monitoring systems that provide quick incident response can save lives, at mining operations or other resource extraction sites. When workers in dangerous conditions are required to check in at regular intervals, it helps to keep safety top of mind. Complacency can lead to disaster, and requiring mine security check-ins around the clock can prevent those 3 a.m. emergencies that sometimes crop up in the wee hours. Those who work overnight may not want to admit that their concentration can flag, but studies show an increased risk of occupational injury for night shift workers. The risk is linked to fatigue, less supervision and co-worker support. Give your lone worker the means to respond, and a method to help them stay alert during the graveyard shift. Make lone worker safety a priority the affordable way With OK Alones worker safety system, workers are prompted to think about safety constantly, with regular check in requirements. How often should they check in? That's up to you. Our flexible system allows you to designate check in intervals as frequently as you like, from every 30 minutes or hourly, every two hours, three? Its up to you. Reminder alarms can be sent out as often as every 30 seconds, and a custom response determined for each situation as per your escalation procedure. You might expect this level of service to be expensive, but its not. In fact, you pay as little as $8/7 per day, per worker. That's very reasonable, compared to other lone worker protection systems. In fact, we invite you to compare! OK Alone also offers a free trial, so you can see how well it works for you. Contact us to learn more. www.okaloneworker.com Key aspects of lone worker check-inWork safety tips for cold weather Lone worker safety systems Recent Posts about Ok Alone3 Safety Considerations for Land Surveyors Why You Need a Lone Worker App for Check Ins Pitfalls of the Buddy System Lone Worker Protection Systems Favourite Feature High Risk Check-ins Ensuring Safety in the Workplace with Employee Safety Monitoring from Ok Alone Send an SMS to all Lone Workers What do people mean when they say Lone Worker in the Logistics industry? --- ## The Rise of Lone Working in the Digital Age *September 18, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* Introduction In todays rapidly evolving work places, the conventional nine-to-five office job is increasingly becoming a thing of the past. The digital revolution has changed work patterns, one of which is lone working”a practice that has grown exponentially in the last few years. No longer tethered to a physical office, professionals across industries are embracing the freedom, flexibility, and innovation that come with working alone. But what powers this trend? How has technology acted as the foundation in facilitating safe lone working? This article delves into the intriguing world of lone working in the digital age looking at how advancements in technology have paved the way for this shift, making it easier for individuals to work independently yet stay interconnected. Well discuss the history of lone working, and shed light on how developments in infrastructure have helped make lone workers safer. ### How were Lone Workers Protected in the Past?Agricultural Lone Worker Being a lone worker has always been more high-risk than being part of a team. Not because the tasks undertaken are inherently more dangerous, but because if something did go wrong at any point, there are no colleagues around to help. To try and reduce the risks to lone workers companies developed systems to help them feel more connected and allow employers to know where they were and that they were ok. Many companies adopted the Buddy system where workers were paired up and had to contact each other throughout a shift to make sure their Buddy was all right. This, like many manual systems, relied heavily on both parties remembering to check in with their partner. Other manual systems required office staff to spend a large part of their day calling round every worker who was off-site (but had access to a landline) to make sure they were well. If it was a large organisation this could take hours and result in each employee only being spoken to once a shift, if at all. Finally, the clocking in and out system required staff to physically visit their workplace to have a piece of card punched with the time they started their shift and then not be contacted again until they returned to punch out at the end of their shift. This system was definitely the most high-risk for those working by themselves over long periods of time. ### The Digital Transformation and Lone Working Having access to computers revolutionised the way we work and with the internet being available to the mainstream public since 1995 things drastically changed again. Mobile phone availability from the mid 1990s meant people lone working could speak to others without the need for a landline, however, their means of checking in with management stayed the same. Members of staff were still required to call workers throughout their day to check their status and well-being or workers had to remember to call each other, checking their Buddy was ok. In the late 1990s, mobile phone technology underwent significant transformations that laid the groundwork for the smartphones we use today. Features like text messaging (SMS), basic games, and rudimentary internet browsing started to appear. During this era, mobile phones shifted from being bulky, single-function devices primarily used for voice communication to more compact and feature-rich gadgets. ### The Rise of Smartphones and Lone Working Since the invention of the smartphone, technology has been progressing at a breakneck speed. In 2001 it became possible for smartphones to connect to the 3G network and the internet, allowing people to send emails and video call from the palm of their hand. Once Apple released the iPhone in 2007 the number of people across the world who had a smartphone skyrocketed. There are currently 6.719 billion smartphone users worldwide. This figure has increased year on year by at least 250 million. The extensive global ownership of smartphones makes them the perfect device to progress lone worker safety. Number of global Smartphone users 2011-2023, Ericsson YearSmartphone UsersGrowth Over Previous Year2011706 million20121.150 billion+ 444 million20131.686 billion+ 536 million20142.255 billion+ 569 million20152.903 billion+ 648 million20163.575 billion+ 672 million20174.303 billion+ 728 million20184.907 billion+ 604 million20195.436 billion+ 529 million20205.758 billion+ 322 million20216.165 billion+ 407 million20226.422 billion+ 257 million20236.719 billion+ 297 million Annual growth of Smartphone users 2011 2023 The ease of access to smartphones meant they could be widely distributed to employees or that the vast majority of employees would already have a personal device. Through this availability it was easy for companies to deploy safety measures across a workforce without having to purchase additional expensive hardware. Apple and Android launching their app stores in 2008 opened up the market for individuals to develop their own apps. This meant apps focussing on different industry needs, such as lone worker safety, began to make their way into the market over the next few years. Lone worker apps allowed the manual techniques of checking in to become fully automated. With the ability to be pre-set to specific intervals, the apps included count-down timers that asked workers to check their status by clicking a button. No longer were staff required to call workers to check on them throughout the day. If a worker did not respond to the status request an alert would be sent to their monitor requesting immediate assistance. ### GPS Technology working for lone workersRemote Location Lone Worker The main feature that revolutionised lone worker apps is their ability to link to GPS (global satellite positioning) to give accurate locations for workers in distress. Trilateration is the basic concept that drives the accuracy of GPS. Each of the 29 satellites in the GPS network circles the earth twice daily. The total of 29 (24 operational, 5 backups) was reached because, with this number, at a minimum four satellites would always be visible from any point on Earth. These four satellites could then be used to create an accurate location for a person or place. The GPS receiver installed on a computer chip within a smartphone receives data from these satellites and the data is used by a software program to show the current location on a real-time map. Lone worker apps, through this software, can then map to a destination, track progress and provide countless other useful functions. The most recent smartphone development to change the lone worker industry has been the advancement of voice commands. Setting up voice commands on the handset allows workers to open the app, start a shift, check in, end a shift and most importantly, request help, all without touching their phone. This allows so many people across different industries to complete their jobs in a safer manner. Those working in transportation no longer need to take their eyes off the road, people working in labs do not have to stop mid task, someone up a ladder doesn't need to let go to check in. Another fantastic use is for someone who has already had an accident to request immediate help, even if they can't move or access their phone physically. Motion detection and image orientation In the early 2000s the technology within the cell phone handset itself developed. An accelerometer was introduced to phones in order to alter the orientation of the screen, from portrait to landscape or vice versa depending on what was better for viewing the image or game. This technology that had been widely used in the Nintendo Wii handset allowed people to use the controller as an extension of themselves into the game, for example as a tennis racquet or steering wheel. In Asia during 2005 Samsung and Sharp released new model phones that had a three-axis accelerometer utilising motion-sensing technology built in. This allowed the tilt sensor to manage the view of any image on the device. Another benefit of the accelerometer was it could assess if the phone was in motion. This technology was perfect for lone workers as it allowed a workers movement to be detected whilst carrying out tasks. They could activate the Man/Worker Down feature on their smartphone and if they had an accident and were rendered unconscious, the phone would alert their management that there had been no movement from the device. This is the perfect safety net for people working in isolation. How Infrastructure Has Helped Keep Lone workers SafePopulation coverage by type of mobile network, 2015-2021 Ninety-five per cent of the world population now has access to a mobile broadband network. Between 2015 and 2021, 4G network coverage doubled to reach 88 per cent of the worlds population. In most developing countries, mobile broadband (3G or above) is the main way to connect to the Internet. The 4G network began in the 2000s, the first service was deployed in Stockholm and Oslo in 2009, and global expansion of the network followed shortly thereafter. As of 2020, there were an estimated six million 4G towers throughout the world with 300,000 located in the United States. 5G is the newest generation of wireless connectivity which started to be rolled out in 2019. As the next generation it has much faster speeds than 4G and has a bigger capacity so more users can be online at any time. 5G uses the three frequency ranges that are currently available to increase its global coverage. Increasing safety with internet coverage Having far reaching internet that is widely available means there is more connectivity and better coverage for those people working on their own. Having access to the internet allows lone workers to use their phone signal or wi-fi to keep in touch with their employers by using their safety monitoring app. The broad coverage of accessible internet also means lone worker solutions can exist online in the Cloud and be viewed from anywhere in the world. The Cloud refers to servers that are accessed over the Internet, and the software and databases that run on those servers. Cloud servers are located in data centres all over the world. Instead of accessing files and data from a local or personal computer, stored and accessed online from any Internet-capable device. This ties into the final development in technology that assists lone workers. Having your companys lone worker account connected to the Cloud means you can access your personal dashboard from anywhere, on any mobile device. You will be able to see maps that show the real-time locations of any workers on shift, see the request and position of any worker requesting help and access the personal details of any worker who has missed a check in. Conclusion The progression of technology over the last 20 years has been staggering and the impact it has had on lone worker safety is immeasurable. Instead of relying on a Buddy to check on you or having to clock in and out for a shift, people who work on their own have a level of connection and safety that never existed before. Having an app in your pocket that can be used to request help, can summon help even if you can't (using the Worker Down feature) and give a precise location of where you are means lone workers can go about their day knowing they have the latest technology on their side. Technology is not just adding new tools to the toolkit of lone working; its fundamentally reshaping how we think about, talk about, and practice working alone. By transforming practices, technology is helping to create a safer, more connected, and more responsive environment for lone workers, recognizing their unique contributions and challenges within the modern workplace. 1 https://www.ericsson.com/en/reports-and-papers/mobility-report/mobility-visualizer?f=1&ft=3&r=1&t=8&s=1&u=1&y=2011,2023&c=1 2 Marshall Brain and Tom Harris. How GPS Receivers Work. How Stuff Works. 2 Feb. 2005. 3 Graham Prophet. Zero in: GPS options expand with applications. EDN. 19 Sept. 2002 : 42-56. 4 https://www.zdnet.com/article/motion-sensing-comes-to-mobile-phones/ 5 & 6 https://www.itu.int/itu-d/reports/statistics/2021/11/15/mobile-network-coverage/ 7 & 8 https://history-computer.com/4g-guide/ 9 https://www.cloudflare.com/en-gb/learning/cloud/what-is-the-cloud/Stacey ManclarkAs an expert in lone worker content management, I possess an extensive knowledge base and experience in the area of lone working and safety monitoring. My expertise in this field encompasses a wide range of areas, including risk assessment, training, communication, and technology. I have a deep understanding of the unique risks associated with lone workers and have researched and written many projects and articles to educate people in how to mitigate these risks. www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Worker Down Californias heat-related illness regulationsThe Different Terms Used for Lone Working Around the World More on Lone Worker AppsPersonal Alarms for Lone WorkersThere are many different options when it comes to choosing a personal alarm. Some personal lone ... Keep Moving with Man Down on our Lone Worker AppThere are around 8 million lone workers in the U.K. Lone workers can be found in many different ... Our Safe Worker App supports Lone Worker Safety with Real-Time MonitoringAs modern work environments continue to evolve, and people become increasingly isolated the ... How can a software based panic button help office workers?Elena works in the office of a small company. One day, while working late, she finds herself in an ... The Role of a Lone Worker System in Protecting Your Employees and Creating a Safer WorkplaceAs an employer duty of care extends beyond the traditional office or worksite to include remote or ... --- ## Building a Safer Future: The Importance of Safety Monitoring in the US Construction Industry *September 7, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* What has been done in the US over the last ten years to improve safety monitoring by the construction industry? The answer, it seems, is not enough. Looking at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) National Census of Fatal Occupation Injuries from 2012 to 2021 makes for some pretty grim reading. Construction fatalities for the last decade Looking at the statistics ten years ago, construction accounted for the highest number of fatal work injuries of any industry sector in 2012. With an increase of 5% from the previous year, there were 775 fatal work injuries in the private construction sector in 2012. Although overall construction fatalities were down 36 percent since 2006 (1,258 in 2006!), the 796 fatal work injuries in construction, nevertheless, accounted for the highest number of fatal work injuries of any industry sector, again, in 2013. The most recent data accessible is from 2021. As the classification systems and definitions of many data elements used by the BLS have changed throughout the past decade, Construction is now grouped with Extraction workers. Construction and extraction occupations had the second most occupational deaths (951) in 2021 (being beaten by Transportation). Looking at the smaller sub-sections of occupation there were 726 Construction worker fatalities in 2021.So, we can see from 2012 until 2021 there was a minimal change in the overall figures despite the industrys knowledge of their safety problem. In the United States, there have been several initiatives and regulations put in place in the last ten years in an attempt to improve safety monitoring in the construction industry. ### OSHA Standards Specific to the Construction Industry The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued several new standards and updates to existing standards in recent years to improve safety in the construction industry. These include new regulations for fall protection, scaffolding, and cranes, as well as updated regulations for personal protective equipment and hazard communication. Standards aimed specifically at the Construction industry include:Fall Protection General Requirements (1926.501) Scaffolding (1926.451) Ladders (1926.1053) Fall Protection Training (1926.503) Eye and Face Protection (1926.102) General Safety and Health Provisions (1926.20) Head Protection (1926.100) Specific Excavation Requirements (1926.651) Hazard Communication (1910.1200) Fall Protection Systems Criteria and Practices (1926.502) Cranes and Derricks in Construction (1926 Subpart CC)Training Programs Developed by OSHA OSHA and other organizations have developed and promoted training programs to help employers and workers understand and comply with safety regulations. The OSHA Outreach Training Program, for example, provides 10 and 30-hour training courses for construction workers and supervisors. OSHA are consistently creating documents to help businesses increase their safety programs and cultures effectiveness. In 2016 OSHA created the 40 page document Recommended Practices for Safety & Health Programs in Construction that has a detailed and comprehensive nine step plan on how to create a safety program to reduce accidents. They even supplied additional resources such as articles and information sources related to each core element of the recommended practices, plus other topics discussed in the recommended practices. As well as downloadable templates, worksheets, and reference materials that could be used to develop a safety and health program. ### Emphasis Programs Aimed at High-Hazard Activities within Construction OSHA has also established an Emphasis Program for construction that targets high-hazard construction activities and employers with high injury and illness rates. Through this program, OSHA conducts inspections, provides outreach and education, and partners with other organizations to improve safety in the industry. Unfortunately, site inspections is one area where OSHA falls down. There are only 1,719 inspectors (755 federal and 964 state) to inspect the 10.4 million workplaces under the Occupational Safety and Health Acts jurisdiction. This equates to one inspector for every 81,427 workers. These are not figures that can help support safer workplaces. ### No Change on the Horizon However, none of the efforts of others seem to be making a difference to the overall mentality of those in the construction industry. According to OSHA the Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards are:Fall Protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.501) Respiratory Protection, general industry (29 CFR 1910.134) Ladders, construction (29 CFR 1926.1053) Hazard Communication, general industry (29 CFR 1910.1200) Scaffolding, construction (29 CFR 1926.451) Fall Protection Training, construction (29 CFR 1926.503) Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 CFR 1910.147) Eye and Face Protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.102) Powered Industrial Trucks, general industry (29 CFR 1910.178) Machinery and Machine Guarding, general industry (29 CFR 1910.212)Every single citation relates to the construction industry. ### The Importance of Employee Safety Monitoring Other than the blatantly obvious safety precautions construction sites should be taking, like harnesses, lifelines, having three points of contact, securing ladders and inspecting equipment before use, to name a few, they should supply their employees with an employee monitoring system. A safety monitoring system cannot stop an employee from falling from height or being crushed, but it can drastically reduce the time frame in which they are found and help sent for. Having an employee safety monitoring app that has a Man (worker) down feature can alert supervisors to an accident within three minutes. If the worker is able to tap their screen or speak, then sending that alert and their position can be immediate. One way it does this is through having real time GPS locations for all staff who are on shift. This information is visible to management on maps that are accessible on the cloud-based dashboard. These details are vital for reaching staff as quickly as possible in an emergency situation and improving safety monitoring in construction.1 National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2012 (Preliminary Results), Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor 2 Fatal Workplace Injuries in 2006, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor 3 National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2012 (Preliminary Results), Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor 4 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2021, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cfoi.nr0.htm 5 https://aflcio.org/reports/death-job-toll-neglect-2022 6 https://www.osha.gov/top10citedstandards www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Falling Short: The High Cost of Neglecting Safety in the UK Construction IndustryA Firm Foundation: The Efforts to Improve Safety in Canadas Construction Industry Recent Posts about Ok AloneOk Alone Saves Lone Workers Life! Ok Alone introduces the Lone Worker Safety Awards Worker Down Californias heat-related illness regulations Updated Changes to BS 8484 for 2022 Help alerts with the Ok Alone lone worker solution Legislation & Policy for Lone Working in Ontario and Nova Scotia How to Manage Lone Worker Safety Lone Worker App for Windows from Ok Alone Security Guards Sleeping on the Job? See our Top Lone Worker Features --- ## Lone Worker Monitoring System *March 8, 2023 · Ok Alone* What is a lone worker monitoring system and do you, as an employer, need one? Workers in remote locations, at high risk job sites or providing services in private residences, face threats to their safety. What are a few things that you should consider when setting up a lone worker system to protect your employees? What is a lone worker? Anyone who works alone without a partner or under direct supervision is defined as a lone worker, but there are 3 basic types: The remote worker is someone working on an isolated job site, such as those working in resource extraction industries like mining, oil and gas, and forestry. The mobile worker this is someone on the road or travelling extensively, like a trucker or travelling salesman. The public worker is someone who is serving the public, but unaccompanied by co-workers, or home health care-givers, providing services in private residences. These people may not actually be alone, but they are still considered to be lone workers. They have no one to rely on in case of an accident or some other incident that puts their safety at risk. What risks does your lone worker face? You should consider what type of risks your lone workers may have to face. These could include: The people around them are they dealing with potentially harmful people? The job they do some jobs are inherently high risk and your employees need to be trained in preventative measures and emergency procedures. Their surroundings what are the potential dangers from the environment in which they are working? For example, encounters with wild animals should be considered a risk to lone workers in remote areas. What lone worker system offers the best solution? You could create your own lone worker monitoring system, hiring additional staff and equipment and possibly even setting up a call centre. That could be costly though, a better alternative is to partner with Ok Alone. For a very low monthly subscription, you can get access to the latest technologies, including an easy to use smartphone app. Try our lone worker monitoring system for free! We are so sure that you will love how easy it is to implement and use our lone worker system that were offering a free trial. We can have you up and running in just a few minutes, and with monthly subscriptions starting at just $5.00 per month per employee, you can afford the best lone worker monitoring system on the market today. Contact us to learn more. www.okaloneworker.com Working Alone Safety Tip for Realtors and Estate AgentsHealthcare Industry Prioritize Lone Worker Protection Systems Cloud-based Dashboard for Lone Worker Monitoring How Desktop Panic Buttons Work What Artificial Intelligence thinks of Ok Alone --- ## Lone Worker Monitoring *March 8, 2023 · Ok Alone* Lone worker monitoring is the practice of monitoring workers who, due to their working conditions or the nature of their employment, may be out of sight or earshot of co-workers during the course or their workday. If no co-workers are nearby to offer assistance in an emergency, then a lone worker monitoring system should be in place. Employees that benefit from a lone worker monitoring system include those in resource extraction (energy, mining, and forestry), trucking, environmental assessment, surveying, social work, maintenance, home-based health care providers and even certain retail workers. There is legislation in the United Kingdom and in certain Canadian provinces that requires the adoption of lone worker monitoring and establishes methods of monitoring. Even where this legislation does not exist, there are laws that relate to the health and safety of employees, making it prudent to monitor them when they are facing potential risk. What are some recommended methods of lone worker monitoring? There are several methods of monitoring that are recommended and fall within legislation where it exists:Call in to check in This is a common practice, but it does require call centre services, which may be costly. Employees are asked to call in at specific intervals to report their location and wellbeing. Call in to check in is prone to human error and call device failure, if its the sole method of contact. Working in pairs The buddy system has been used for centuries to provide support for workers. In theory, having workers paired will ensure that if one is incapacitated, the other would be able to call for help. The obvious flaw is that accidents can happen as easily to two as to one. Monitoring devices Dedicated monitoring devices are a modern and reliable method that can help to alleviate some of the previously mentioned issues. The best option A multi-faceted lone worker monitoring system that allows the worker to use a smartphone application, SMS, or live call-in options is flexible and practical. The Ok Alone monitoring system Ok Alone offers a comprehensive system providing your employees the best of these options. Using our iPhone or Android app, workers simply click the check-in button at predetermined intervals. If they fail to respond, Ok Alone checks on them. Employees also have the option to text or call in on their cell phone, a landline, or a satellite enabled device. If they are not heard from within an established time frame, Ok Alone can manage the situation from its call centre or notify you directly according to your pre-set escalation procedure. Ok Alone offers the lowest cost compared to similar lone worker monitoring systems Our monthly subscription starts at just $5.00/4.00 per month per employee. This fee includes your online account, smartphone apps, online help, action logs and performance reporting. Need live monitoring support too? You control when its on or off, with no set-up fees, giving you the maximum savings possible. Contact us today to learn more. Not sure if it will work for your business? How about a free trial? www.okaloneworker.com ### The Most Common Workplace Safety Policy ViolationsLone Worker Check In Recent Posts about Ok AloneAre Your Security Guards Sleeping on the Job? (Security Specific Features of a Lone Worker System) A collaborative approach to safety strategy in Canadian logistics Man Down / Worker Down App to Keep Workers Safe Work Alone Devices Available for your Lone Workers Check in with the Lone Worker App, SMS or Phone Call How do I keep Lone Workers Safe? Keep Workers Safe using Microsoft Teams with a Lone Worker Solution Lone Worker App for Android from Ok Alone Legislation, Regulations and Policy for Lone Workers in Ireland Reducing Workplace Accidents A Lone Worker Monitoring System adds to the safety of your workers --- ## Pitfalls of the Buddy System Lone Worker Protection Systems *March 8, 2023 · Ok Alone* Don't Rely on the Buddy System to keep your Team Safe on the Job The buddy system has traditionally been a cornerstone of many safety systems for, quite literally, hundreds of years. It has performed quite admirably in many circumstances, but fails spectacularly sometimes, and sometimes with serious or even fatal consequences. The most obvious flaw in the buddy system what if both of you go down? In 2006, a tragic incident at a mushroom farm in Langley, BC resulted in the deaths of three workers and serious injury to two others. Of the two survivors, one sustained serious brain damage because his buddy was unable to get him to safety quickly enough. Many errors were made that day, but perhaps, if the workers had been using a protection system, and had established an escalation procedure, things could have ended differently. The buddy system also depends, obviously, on you having a buddy! There are many workers who are not physically close enough to any of their co-workers that they can react in a timely manner to an incident a lone worker safety app should be a requirement. Geologists, inspectors and surveyors are just a few of those who would benefit from a lone worker protection system. ### Simple Technology for Optimal Lone Worker Protection It doesn't need to be complicated, it just needs to be easy to use and customize to your requirements. With Ok Alone, you decide how and how often lone workers check in, and its easy to change for each situation you and your team encounter. Clients in Canada, the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand keep their staff safe with our lone worker protection system, contact us to learn more about how we can help you, and your buddy. www.okaloneworker.com Favourite Feature High Risk Check-insYou Can't Afford Not to Have a Lone Worker Safety System Recent Posts about Ok AloneLone Worker Monitoring System I have GPS, What else do I need? An app for my lone workers? National Hotels Pledge increased Safety with Panic Buttons for Hotel Workers Protecting Farm Lone Workers in Britains Most Dangerous Industry Worker Down not Man Down Ok Alone has Partnered with what3words to Help Protect Lone Workers Is your Business Vulnerable to a Cyber Attack? Lone Worker Legislation & Policy for Queensland What does lone worker risk really mean? Keeping Home Care Nurses Safe with a Lone Worker Safety App --- ## Key aspects of lone worker check-in *March 8, 2023 · Ok Alone* A vital aspect of any lone worker monitoring procedure is the actual check-in. By legislation in the UK and in many Canadian provinces, lone workers must be monitored for safety reasons. So, what are the main aspects of a lone worker check in procedure? Here are a few tips to help you, as an employer, to devise and establish a lone worker check in procedure. Want to know the most common check-in methods? Customer favourite feature of the month: Safety Zones In many jobs, people need to work in a specific area such as a job site, construction zone or security guards route. Leaving that safety zone may be an indication of a problem. Ok Alone customers asked if we could give them a tool that tells them when someone has moved to an unexpected place, and we did. Ok Alones safety zone feature lets you create an area where the worker is free to move. If they leave that area, you get an alert. Quick. Easy. Effective. Simply click a location on the map and select how big you want the radius to be. Learn more about how it could work for you www.okaloneworker.com 3 Safety Considerations for Land SurveyorsLone worker protection technology for mining teams Recent Posts about Ok AloneGet Lone Worker Alerts when your iPhone is on Silent Send an SMS to all Lone Workers Simple safety advice for women driving alone Electronic Safety Devices for Lone Workers A Firm Foundation: The Efforts to Improve Safety in Canadas Construction Industry Get grouping Taking group actions with Ok Alone Lone Worker Trends for 2023 Discover how to find Hidden Hazards at Work and Keep your Team Safe --- ## Lone worker health and safety risk three categories and their risksLone worker health and safety : Who is at risk? *March 8, 2023 · Ok Alone* Lone worker health and safety: Who is at risk? A lot has been written about lone worker health and safety. Oddly, you rarely see a list of jobs or occupations that fall into the lone worker category. Its almost assumed you will know who you are. At a high level, there are three categories of workers who make up the majority of those affected by lone working rules. Work alone categoriesPeople who work alone on site People working away from their office or normal base Homeworkers, which includes those who visit other peoples homesMoving from the general to the specific, what are some examples of jobs and the risks they face?Lab workers: exposure to chemicals, biological contaminants and fire Home workers: violence, lifting injuries, falls or needle pricks Postal workers: theft, animal attacks, abusive customers Agricultural workers: equipment injuries, chemicals, falling items or animal attacks Taxi drivers: road rage, theft, intoxicated customers/violence Maintenance people: electrical shocks, falls, becoming trapped in remote place Sales people: customer violence, falls, stress related incidents Independent consultants: road rage, falling asleep at wheel, abusive customers Brewers: Slips, falls, trips or banging your head while cleaning in closed spacesThis list is not intended to cover all work alone jobs. Rather, it highlights how roles you don't often associate with lone working carry some degree of health and safety risk. What can you do about it?Most countries have a requirement for the organization to discuss with the worker their concerns and their ideas for how to improve them. Even without the requirement, its a good place to start. Complete a risk assessment. Never done one? Why not download our free risk assessment guide. Consider how you can restructure the job to make it safer. For example, can you move its location, work in teams or add safety equipment to the site? Review your work processes on a regular basis and ensure they are delivering the results you want. Having a professional safety monitoring system in place is also an important component in your overall health and safety program. We've created a free Lone Worker Safety Monitoring Comparison Guide to help you make an informed decision. www.okaloneworker.com What does lone worker risk really mean?Get grouping Taking group actions with Ok Alone Recent Posts about Ok AloneEnhancing Safety for Lone Working Health Workers Best Practice for Protecting Lone Workers in British Universities Ok Alone has Partnered with what3words to Help Protect Lone Workers Will I have to Self-isolate or self-quarantine? Legislation & Policy for Lone Workers in Alberta What makes a great escalation procedure? Ok Alones gift to you FREE access for fund raisers Working from home. Working alone --- ## You Can't Afford Not to Have a Lone Worker Safety System *March 8, 2023 · Ok Alone* 8 Reasons Why you can't Afford Not to a Have Lone Worker Safety System A lone worker safety system is not only the right thing to do from a moral standpoint it can reduce your business operational costs! Workers in the construction and engineering industries are frequently working alone and in high risk circumstances. Investing in their safety will pay off in many ways. Here are 8 reasons you can't afford not to use lone worker monitoring. It eliminates the need for the buddy system, which isn't all that effective anyway It prevents costly operational downtime while you are trying to locate an injured or missing worker You will see savings on your insurance premiums You can avoid financial penalties for failure to provide duty-of-care or negligence Its a simple way to achieve safety regulation compliance Safety equipment is not always sufficient to protect workers, no matter how well-equipped they are Environmental dangers are unpredictable and can be deadly People are only human, and can make errors that put their own or the safety of others at riskWith a lone worker protection system, you are also likely to see an improvement in employee morale and retention as well as improved corporate image and public relations. ### Invest in Ok Alone for Easy-to-Use, No-Fuss Lone Worker Safety Systems It makes good business sense to invest in lone worker monitoring that is affordable and easy to implement and use. Ok Alone has developed (and continues to refine) a safety system that's customizable to your requirements and easy to alter according to your changing needs. Still not ready to invest? How about a free trial? www.okaloneworker.com Pitfalls of the Buddy System Lone Worker Protection SystemsEssential Tips for your Retail Employees Lone Worker Safety Lone Worker Legislation --- ## Work safety tips for cold weather Lone worker safety systems *March 8, 2023 · Ok Alone* ### Lone Worker Safety Systems As we bundle up and head into the winter months (in the northern hemisphere) our thoughts turn to keeping workers safe in cold conditions by using lone worker safety systems. For most of us in Canada, extreme cold is something we deal with every year, and we are pretty good at it! Those whose job requires them to be outside for any length of time, or who travel during their workday, must take extra safety measures in sub-zero weather. Here are a few work safety tips for cold winter weather: Dress for the conditions to avoid hypothermia or frostbiteA layering system works best; start at the skin with a wicking layer, then an insulating layer and finally a water/windproof layer to stay warm and dry. Avoid cotton once it gets wet, it stays wet and draws warmth from your body. Look for fabrics that retain warmth when wet like wool, polyester fleece, and polypropylene. Have extra clothing with you in case you need to add a layer or change clothes. Keep your head warm with a toque, beanie or a balaclava, which will protect exposed skin and also fits nicely under a hardhat. Two layers of socks (a thin synthetic under heavier wool), appropriate boots and gaiters will keep your feet warm and dry. Mitts keep your fingers warm better than gloves, but aren't always practical. You might consider wearing a pair of gloves under your mitts, removing a layer for precision work. Fuel up and stay hydratedYou will burn more calories working in the cold, so eat regular meals and frequent snacks to keep your energy levels up. Hydration is as important in cold weather as it is during heat waves and dehydration can cause muscle cramps, dizziness, heart palpitations and confusion. Consume hot drinks (but avoid excessive caffeine) and use insulated water bottles so that your water doesn't freeze readily. Sports drinks can provide needed calories and electrolytes. Take precautions when dealing with snow and iceWhether you are driving on roads and highways, operating equipment at a job site or just moving around outside in winter conditions, go slow and give extra space to prevent accidents. Use a lone worker protection system that provides a means to call for help and requires regular check-ins. Invest in Ok Alone for easy-to-use, no-fuss lone worker safety systems We offer lone worker monitoring that's simple to implement and easy to learn. Workers can simply download the app to their iPhone or Android device no extra equipment required. For those working outside of cell phone range, they can check in using a landline or satellite devices. Contact us today to discuss which services will best suit your needs. Ok Alone also offers a free trial of our lone worker safety system. www.okaloneworker.com Lone worker protection technology for mining teamsWinter has arrived. Snowplow drivers need lone worker safety too Recent Posts about Ok AloneWhatsApp Available for Ok Alone Lone Worker Notifications Monitor driver safety away from the vehicle What makes a great escalation procedure? Health Care Planned Inspectional Initiatives from WorksafeBC Is your Business Vulnerable to a Cyber Attack? Cloud-based Dashboard for Lone Worker Monitoring About our Work Alone System Keeping your Lone Workers Safe OSHA Regulations 1915, 1910 and 1926 for Lone Working HVAC Technicians --- ## Keep Parks & Recreation Teams Safe Effective Lone Worker TechnologyKeeping Parks and Recreation Teams Safe Lone Worker Safety *March 8, 2023 · Ok Alone* Keeping Parks and Recreation Teams Safe with Simple, Effective Lone Worker Safety Technology Parks and recreation workers everywhere face hazardous conditions nearly every day. Whether you are operating recreational or leisure programs at playgrounds and parks in the city, managing wilderness campgrounds, performing trail-building and maintenance duties or any of the countless tasks that are part of many parks and rec workers daily routines, you face unique challenges maintaining your lone worker safety at work. For each lone worker or team of workers, its critical to do a hazard assessment, identifying the safety risks of specific tasks and determining an appropriate response for each potential threat a complicated exercise, to say the least! Regardless of what job you are doing and the risks it carries, key to worker safety is an effective lone worker protection system. Even if you aren't actually working alone there are limitations to the traditional buddy system method of worker monitoring. For example, what if your trail-building team becomes trapped by a washout? Your buddy will be just as helpless as you. Simple technology can help with a lone worker safety system like ours, you can call for help from wherever you are. Even if you are incapacitated and Can't call for help, you are protected, if you don't check in we will be on it right away. Teams or lone workers performing particularly risky jobs can check in as frequently as deemed necessary (as often as every 10 minutes) and if they fail to do so, your lone worker policy informs us as to what action to take. Ok Alone offers a comprehensive lone worker safety system for the cost of a cup of coffee per employee, per month! You might expect a lone worker protection system as thorough as this to be expensive, and some are, but not ours. We've invested in modern technology combined with a deep analysis of worker safety requirements to create what we think is the best affordable lone worker safety system on the market today. Curious to learn more about it? Check out our comparison guide to see the five factors of a comprehensive safety monitoring system. Still not sure that your manager will find room in the budget? Tell them about our free trial. www.okaloneworker.com CSSE 2016 Lone worker safety systemsGPS Technology Isn't Enough Lone Worker Safety Recent Posts about Ok AloneMunicipal Workers Need an Affordable, Effective Lone Worker System How to keep your HVAC Lone Workers Safe Is your Business Vulnerable to a Cyber Attack? How Ok Alone is used by Schools, Tutors and Teachers for Lone Working Sacramentos Hotel Worker Panic Button Legislation Work Alone Devices Available for your Lone Workers Why You Need a Lone Worker App for Check Ins --- ## Why Canadas Agricultural Lone Workers need Protecting *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* When compared with other Canadian industrial sectors, agriculture is a dangerous occupation. One way to bring down fatality numbers and improve safety for agricultural workers is to use a lone worker system. ### The Rising Rate of Agricultural Fatalities The most recent data available tells of 925 workplace related deaths across Canada throughout 2019 down from 1,027 in 2018, 951 in 2017, 904 in 2016 and 852 in 2015 . The AWCBC (Association of Workers Compensation Boards of Canada) have documented that while most provinces have seen their fatality rate dropping, Ontario, Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador have steadily risen over the four-year period 2015-2018 . There are also fears that the numbers reported do not reflect the true number of fatalities across Canada. ### Comparing the Agricultural Rate to other Industries Agriculture and related services reported 48 deaths between 2016 2018, Fishing and trapping reported 13 for the same period. Logging and forestry recorded 31 deaths between 2016 2018 . The majority of these deaths occurred in Quebec, Nova Scotia and British Columbia. When compared with other Canadian industrial sectors, agriculture is a dangerous occupation. Agriculture ranks as the fourth most hazardous industry in Canada with respect to rates of fatal injury. In terms of absolute numbers of fatalities, there is no more dangerous occupation . A lone working Alberta Farmers lucky escape One lone working Alberta farmer, in his early eighties, was out on his ATV rounding up cattle. He lost control of the vehicle and it flipped, pinning him beneath the handlebars. The engine was still running and gasoline from the vehicle was leaking all over the trapped farmer who was going in and out of consciousness. Once dusk fell the farmers wife became concerned as he had not returned from his day. A search party was formed who began scouring the farmland. The farmer was found alone, pinned under the ATV with broken ribs and hyperthermia six hours after he had crashed. He was very lucky he was found when he was, or there could have been a different ending to the story. ### Reducing Agricultural Fatalities with a Lone Worker Solution One way to bring down fatality numbers and improve safety for agricultural workers is to use a lone worker system. There are many different solutions available to lone workers that allow them to keep in touch by checking in. The most simple and convenient system however is a Smartphone app. The purpose of a Lone Worker Solution is to ensure all workers go home safely at the end of each day. Lone workers need a safety solution that gives them peace of mind that if anything goes wrong, someone will know and can send help. Lone worker solutions are simple systems that connect lone workers with a supervisor who monitors their well-being. The supervisor could be another worker or staff in a call centre. ### How Ok Alone can protect Farm and Agricultural Lone Workers The Ok Alone system has a wide range of features designed to make people working remotely feel safer. The system has an automated countdown timer which reminds lone workers to make contact by checking in using either a smartphone app, SMS or phone call. Workers are also able to check in or request help using the hands-free voice command option. Workers are able to change the frequency of their check ins with the high-risk feature. If a worker starts a task they consider more dangerous or enters an area where they feel vulnerable, they can reduce the check in time to as little as 10 minutes. After the time has passed with no alerts, the check in frequency will revert to the original count down duration. Ok Alones lone worker smartphone app works in conjunction with a website and dashboard that can be used on a pc, laptop, tablet or another smartphone. If an alert is triggered the online dashboard will display a map, supplying whoever is monitoring them, with the lone workers last known location. This will allow help to be sent to the correct location at a moments notice. Learn more about Farming and Ok Alone: https://www.okaloneworker.com/farming1 2021 Report on Work Fatality and Injury Rates in Canada, Page 3, Sean Tucker, PhD, Anya Keefe MSc, University of Regina 2, 3 https://awcbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/National-Work-Injury-Disease-and-Fatality-Statistics-2016-2018.pdf Page 371 4 CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL INJURY REPORTING, Agriculture-Related Fatalities in Canada, (CAIR), 2016, Page 2 https://www.casa-acsa.ca/en/safetyshop-library/agriculture-related-fatalities-in-canada/Stacey ManclarkAs an expert in lone worker content management, I possess an extensive knowledge base and experience in the area of lone working and safety monitoring. My expertise in this field encompasses a wide range of areas, including risk assessment, training, communication, and technology. I have a deep understanding of the unique risks associated with lone workers and have researched and written many projects and articles to educate people in how to mitigate these risks. www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Lower your costs with COR Certificate of RecognitionLone Worker Legislation & Policy in Canada Recent Posts about Ok AloneDelivery Logistics Company Case Study You Can't Afford Not to Have a Lone Worker Safety System Is your Team Prepared? Lone Worker Safety System CSSE 2016 Lone worker safety systems Lone Worker Legislation & Policy for Northern Territories Drive Mode For Even Safer Lone Worker Check Ins How your Workers can become Safety Champions Personal Alarms for Lone Workers --- ## Learn about Safety for the UKs Electrician Lone Workers *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* The most recent data from Statista.com shows there were 259,000 people employed as electricians in the UK during 2019 Being an electrician means frequently working alone, either on sites, in warehouses, buildings or in peoples homes. But are employers looking out for these lone workers and how do you ensure an electricians safety? ### Dangers Facing UK Electricians HSE (Health and Safety England) released their reports in 2021 based around the findings of RIDDOR (Reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences regulations) in regards to Fatal injuries to workers in Great Britain. The findings showed that between 2016/17 and 2020/21 24 people died at work as a result of contact with electricity or electrical discharge. Within the UK out of 1,000 shocks only 25 are fatal . However, the highest cause of workplace deaths was falling from heights. Now, these two incidents may seem separate, but in an electricians world, it is not often the initial shock that causes fatalities, but the fall that comes as a result of it. Being an electrician means workers are exposed to more dangers than just live wires. The nature of the job has workers frequently alone and exposed to:Fire and explosions from electrical short circuits or frayed wiring UV radiation if working outside for prolonged periods or from welding machines if working in an industrial facility Exposure to bees and wasps nests Disease from bird droppings and rat droppings when working in loft spaces Working at height or in small confined spaces Violence from another person or animal Slips, trips or falls Transport accidents moving between locationsHow to Increase Safety for Lone Working Electricians Electricians are frequently lone working and need a reliable way they can communicate with their employers. They need to have a way to check in at pre-arranged times, call for help if needed or have an alert triggered if they can't request help themselves. Ok Alone, the lone worker safety monitoring app, allows workers to check in at set intervals (from every 10 minutes to 10 hours), has help alerts that can be sent to request immediate assistance and GPS that is used to locate a worker if they do not respond to messages or reminders after a missed check in. ### High Risk Check In Ok Alone includes the High Risk function where workers can change the frequency of their check-in depending on their circumstances. The check-in can be set to every 10 minutes if required. Using this feature also alerts the workers company that they are entering an area where they feel more vulnerable or that has a higher potential for danger. This function allows the worker to update their company to their new situation without having to phone in. Once the shorter time elapses an alarm goes off to alert the worker. Once the worker has safely checked in the countdown timer automatically reverts to the originally set intervals. ### Voice Commands Sometimes an electrician won't be able to check in when their timer elapses. They may have both hands full using tools, they may be up a ladder or in a harness and unable to tap their app. Knowing this, Ok Alone developed their hands free technology so lone workers can check in using only their voice. The smartphone employee monitoring app has the option to programme voice commands that can be spoken to start shift, check in, get help or log out at the end of a shift. This adds an additional level of safety to tasks for people who work with their hands but still need to communicate with others. ### Man Down/Worker Down Function Another feature of the Ok Alone system is the Man Down or Worker Down function. This notifies a workers monitor/supervisor if there has been no movement within a set amount of time (5 minutes 1 hour, set by the worker). If no movement is detected the phone will sound an alarm alerting the worker. The helpful reminder/alarm sent to the worker first after a period of no movement means there will be less false alarms sent to the monitor. If this alert is not responded to, the situation is escalated to the allocated monitor and they will contact the worker. If the worker does not answer the monitor can then use the real time GPS location of the worker to either go to the site themselves or send support. The most important thing Ok Alone can offer is peace of mind to lone working electricians. Having employee monitoring they know that someone has their back. That if something happens (a help alert is sent or a check in is missed) someone from their company or at the Live Monitoring facility will be alerted and help will be on its way. 1 https://www.statista.com/statistics/779914/individuals-employed-in-electrical-trades-in-uk/#statisticContainer 2 www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/tables/ridfatal.xlsx Table 3 3 https://1stelectricians.co.uk/blog/how-often-do-electricians-die-on-the-job/ www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Learn about Safety for US Lone Working ElectriciansDrive Mode For Even Safer Lone Worker Check Ins Recent Posts about Ok AloneThe Role of a Lone Worker System in Protecting Your Employees and Creating a Safer Workplace GPS Technology Isn't Enough Lone Worker Safety Lone Worker Legislation & Policy in Canada Oakland Local Ordinances Chapter 5.93 Hotel Minimum Wage and Working Conditions Canadian Privacy Laws Worker Down Californias heat-related illness regulations Applying GDPR to Lone Worker Solutions Understanding the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and their Legislation, Guidelines and Penalties --- ## Learn about Safety for US Lone Working Electricians *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* Being an electrician can often mean working in small, dark and potentially dangerous locations. More often than not, they are also alone while on site. Who is looking out for these workers and how do you ensure an electricians safety? What are the Dangers of Being an Electrician? Being an electrician means workers are exposed to more dangers than just live wires. The nature of the job has workers frequently alone and exposed to:The danger of a lethal electric shock Fire and explosions from electrical short circuits or frayed wiring UV radiation if working outside for prolonged periods or from welding machines if working in an industrial facility Exposure to bees and wasps nests Disease from bird droppings and rat droppings when working in loft spaces Working at height or in small confined spaces Violence from another person or animal Slips, trips or falls Transport accidents moving between locationsUnfortunately the outcome of these dangers can be the loss of life. ### Fatality Figures for Electricians The Census of Occupational Injuries is compiled every year by The Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table below shows the number of electricians deaths per year from 2003 until 2017. All of the fatalities occurred to those working in the industry, but were not all as a result of electrocution. Number and rate of fatal work injuries, by industry sector Thankfully not all exposure to electricity is fatal, but does still impact greatly on employees and therefore employers. Losing days of work due to electricity based injury can be very frustrating for employers. A lot of injuries often result from people not making common sense decisions or not following the risk assessments or work policies that have been put in place. How to Increase Electricians Safety People who frequently lone work, like electricians, need a reliable way they can communicate with their employers. They need to have a way to check in at pre-arranged times, call for help if they need it or have an alert triggered if they can't request help themselves. Ok Alone, the lone worker safety monitoring app allows workers to check in at set intervals (from every 10 minutes to 10 hours), it has help alerts that can be sent to request immediate assistance and GPS that is used to locate a worker if they do not respond to messages or reminders after a missed check in. ### Man Down Protection One feature of the Ok Alone system is the Man Down function. This notifies a workers monitor/supervisor if there has been no movement within a set amount of time (5 minutes 1 hour, set by the worker). If no movement is detected the phone will sound an alarm alerting the worker. If this alert is not responded to, it will be escalated to the allocated monitor and they will contact the worker. The helpful reminder/alarm sent to the worker first means there will be less false alarms sent to the monitor or the call centre. ### Help Button A Help Button sends an alert to a supervisor, manager or representative of the employer, informing them that a worker needs immediate assistance. On a smartphone the help button has options to trigger it; manually tapping the screen or using voice commands. Workers also have the option of sending a written or voice message directly to the person monitoring their situation. Ok Alone has real time GPS capabilities that can locate an electrician if they activate the help alert. ### High Risk Check In Ok Alone includes the High Risk function where workers can change the frequency of their check-in depending on their circumstances. The check-in can be set to every 10 minutes if required. Using this feature also alerts the workers company that they are entering an area where they feel more vulnerable or that has a higher potential for danger. This function allows the worker to update their company to their new situation without having to phone in. Once the shorter time elapses an alarm goes off to alert the worker. Once the worker has safely checked in the countdown timer automatically reverts to the originally set intervals. The most important thing Ok Alone can offer is peace of mind to lone workers. Having employee monitoring they know that if something happens (a help alert is sent or a check in is missed) someone from their company or at the Live Monitoring facility will be alerted and help will be on its way. 1 Miscellaneous CFOI data tables, All worker profile, 2003-2018 https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm#2020 www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ U.S Legislation for ElectriciansLearn about Safety for the UKs Electrician Lone Workers Recent Posts about Ok AloneChoose a Lone Worker App with Wide Device Capability Lone Worker Check In Will I have to Self-isolate or self-quarantine? Canadian Legislation The Joint Health and Safety Committee Duty of Care and Lone Working UK Driving Laws affecting Lone Workers and requiring Handsfree --- ## A Firm Foundation: The Efforts to Improve Safety in Canadas Construction Industry *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* There has been a lot of change within the Canadian construction industry over the past few years towards sustainability and improved safety practices. The large number of federal, provincial and territorial safety associations are trying to make a difference in the safety statistics, but the annual fatality rate for the construction industry is still way too high. ### Overview of the Canadian Construction Industry The construction industry in Canada is a vital part of the countrys economy, employing 963,087 people in 2020, 1,061,077 people in 2021 and 1,516,700 at the end of 2022. The industry is responsible for building and maintaining a wide range of structures, including housing, commercial buildings, roads, bridges, and infrastructure such as water and sewage systems. The construction industry in Canada is divided into two main sectors: non-residential and residential. Non-residential construction includes commercial and institutional buildings, such as office buildings, hospitals, and schools. Residential construction includes the construction of single-family homes, townhouses, and apartment buildings. ### Canadian Construction Standards and Regulations Helping to Improve Safety In the interest of safety the construction industry in Canada is subject to a number of regulations and standards set by the federal and provincial governments. Occupational health and safety (OH&S) legislation in each jurisdiction outlines the general rights and responsibilities of the employer, the supervisor and the worker through an Act or statute and related regulations. These regulations cover a wide range of issues, including safety, building codes, and environmental protection and provide guidelines to ensure safe working conditions and to protect workers from hazards. Employers are required to comply with the Acts, statutes and regulations, and workers have the right to refuse unsafe work. The industry is also subject to inspection by government agencies to ensure compliance with these regulations. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) are a government run agency that create amazing resources for many different industries, including construction. Within the Construction Worker General page are the fact sheets What are some preventive measures for construction workers? What are some good general safe work practices? Both have links to multiple internal web pages that open containing easily read information and diagrams. ### The Role of Canadian Construction Associations in Effecting Change In recent years, the construction industry in Canada has seen a number of changes and developments. There has been a shift towards sustainable construction practices and the use of new technologies as well as an increased focus on safety. Although there doesn't seem to be an overarching government department focussing on increasing safety across the construction industry, there are several construction associations in Canada that represent different segments of the industry. These play an important role in promoting safety, professional development, and advocacy for the industry. Provincial and Territorial Construction Safety Associations Two of the main construction associations in Canada are: The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) The CCA is the national voice of the construction industry in Canada, representing over 20,000 companies in the non-residential and heavy construction sectors. The Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA) Which works as an umbrella organization for member provincial and territorial construction safety associations. Some of the provincial and territorial construction safety associations are:British Columbia Construction Safety Alliance Alberta Construction Safety Association Heavy Construction Safety Association Of Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association Construction Safety Association Of Manitoba Manitoba Heavy Construction Association Asp Construction Association Sectorielle Paritaire (Quebec) Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (Ontario) New Brunswick Construction Safety Association Newfoundland & Labrador Construction Safety Association Construction Safety Nova Scotia ### Northern Safety Network Yukon Northern Construction Safety Association (Northwest Territories & Nunavut)The Ongoing Challenge of Construction Fatalities in Canada Despite the abundance of Construction focused safety associations, the number of workplace fatalities in the construction sector is still very high. Total number of Fatalities in the Construction industry 2018-2020 ### The Importance of Employee Safety Monitoring The Canadian provinces and territories are making an effort to improve safety in the construction industry in their own areas, such as WorksafeBC who have made construction one of the four industries identified in their High-Risk Strategy. Recommendations for safety precautions construction sites should be taking include; harnesses, lifelines, having three points of contact, securing ladders and inspecting equipment before use. Businesses should increase their support by supplying their employees with an employee monitoring system. A safety monitoring system cannot stop an employee falling from height or being crushed, but it can drastically reduce the time frame in which they are found and help sent for. How an employee safety monitoring app can help Having an employee safety monitoring app that has a Man (worker) down feature can alert supervisors to an accident within three minutes. If the worker is able to tap their screen or speak, then that alert and their position can be immediate. This happens through having real time GPS locations for all staff who are on shift. This information is visible to management on maps that are accessible on the cloud-based dashboard. These details are vital for reaching staff as quickly as possible in an emergency situation. Overall, the construction industry in Canada is an important sector that plays a key role in the countrys economy. While there are challenges and risks associated with the industry, efforts are being made to improve safety and to ensure compliance with regulations and standards. 1 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1410020201&pickMembers%5B0%5D=1.1&pickMembers%5B1%5D=2.1&cubeTimeFrame.startYear=2020&cubeTimeFrame.endYear=2021&referencePeriods=20200101%2C20210101 2 https://www.buildforce.ca/en/key-indicators 3 National Work Injury, Disease and Fatality Statistics2018-2020, Association of Workers Compensation Boards of Canada www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Building a Safer Future: The Importance of Safety Monitoring in the US Construction IndustryUpdated Changes to BS 8484 for 2022 Recent Posts about Ok AloneCalifornias regulations for preventing heat-related illness in outdoor workers The California Consumer Privacy Act Sub-Contractors and your Health and Safety Program How to Manage Lone Worker Safety Legislation & Policy for Lone Workers in Quebec What is a Monitor in lone working? National Hotels Pledge increased Safety with Panic Buttons for Hotel Workers Panic Buttons for Las Vegas Hotel and Casino Lone Workers Simple safety advice for women driving alone --- ## Lone Worker Solutions Help Agricultural Industry Prevent Disaster *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* Agriculture is the UKs most dangerous industry. The introduction of a lone worker solution would allow farmers working in isolation to remain in contact with others and have their safety monitored. ### What the Health and Safety Executives report says about Agricultural Safety In the Health and Safety Executives report on Fatal injuries in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain for 2019/20 agriculture has the worst rate of fatal worker injury within all main industrial sectors. The rate for deaths in agriculture per 100,000 workers is 5.96 . This is eighteen times higher than the All Industry rate of 0.4 . Between the 1st of April 2019 and the 31st of March 2020 there were twenty-one deaths in the agricultural sector . ### Agricultural and Farming Fatalities in the UK In Wales a 44-year-old self-employed farm partner was killed when he was struck by a tree. He had left the farmhouse to trim hawthorn with a chainsaw and was found trapped underneath a fallen tree . In the South West a 73-year-old self-employed farmer was killed when he became trapped under an all-terrain utility vehicle (ATV). He was using the ATV to check sheep and was found under the overturned machine . In the West Midlands a 32-year-old farm worker was killed when he became trapped between a sprayer and its rear wheel. He was spraying a field and had left the tractor, engine running, to check a fault with the sprayers wheels. He was crushed between the chassis and the wheel . In the North West a 26-year-old self-employed farm partner was crushed and killed between bales of hay and a barn wall. He had slipped from the top of the small stack into a small gap and was trapped by the weight of the bales. He died from asphyxiation . There are some proactive changes agricultural lone workers can make to bring the incredibly high worker injury rate down. The introduction of a lone worker solution would allow those people working in isolation to remain in contact with others and have their safety monitored. ### How a Lone Worker Solution can help Protect Farm Workers Lone workers using a safety solution are able to check in at regular intervals throughout their day to let people know they are all right. The Man down (Worker down) feature offered in Ok Alones lone worker safety solution has the capability to contact a fellow worker or call centre personnel if there has been no movement by a worker within a set length of time. This great feature benefits lone workers in the agricultural industry especially. The ability to set the time period for man down, from between one minute to one hour, allows workers to adjust the feature to be beneficial to the specific activity they are doing. For a higher risk activity, such as close interaction with livestock, it would be set to a shorter time. Once the task had been completed without incident the check in time would revert to the normal frequency previously set for the worker. ### Features of Ok Alone that can help Farmers Ok Alone also has features that allow lone workers to contact their supervisors directly. The Help Button sends an alert to their supervisor that they need immediate assistance and to be contacted. This button can be pushed manually or triggered using voice commands. Workers also have the option of sending a written or voice message directly to the person monitoring a situation. The Ok Alone smartphone app works in conjunction with a website and cloud-based dashboard that can be used on pc, laptop, tablet or another smartphone. The online dashboard will display a map supplying the monitor with the workers last known location if an alert is triggered. This will allow help to be sent to the correct location at a moments notice. Learn more about Farming and Ok Alone: https://www.okaloneworker.com/farming1, 2, 3 Fatal injuries in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain 2019/20, Health and Safety ExecutiveFatal injuries in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain 2019/20 (hse.gov.uk) 4, 5, 6, 7 Summary of fatal injuries in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain 2019/20, Health and Safety ExecutiveFatal injuries in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain 2019/20 (hse.gov.uk) www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Lone Worker Legislation & Policy for New ZealandProtecting Farm Lone Workers in Britains Most Dangerous Industry Recent Posts about Ok AloneWays to request help with Ok Alone You Can't Afford Not to Have a Lone Worker Safety System How the Ok Alone Lone Worker System Works The Importance of Lone Worker Monitoring: Ensuring Safety and Compliance in the Modern Workplace Personal Alarm: for When You're Working Alone Why your Technicians need an HVAC Safety App Get Lone Worker Alerts when your iPhone is on Silent Lone Worker Legislation & Policy for Tasmania Lone Worker App & Safety Monitoring available in Spanish - Ok Alone --- ## How Lone Working affects Grooms, Stable Hands and Farriers in North America *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* The American Horse Council, has reported that the United States has a horse population of approximately 9.2 million and that the horse industry supports 1.4 million jobs in the United States. The horse industry directly employs 701,946 people (full-time, part-time and seasonal), which equates to 453,612 full-time equivalent jobs. These full-time equivalent jobs are in the following segments of the horse industry:Racing146,625Showing99,051Recreation128,324Other79,612There are also more than 25,000 farriers in the U.S. The U.S Bureau of Labour and Statistics breaks these occupations down into the category of non-farm animal care-takers. The States with the highest employment of non-farm animal care takers are:StateEmployment (1)Employment per thousand jobsCalifornia21,4301.26Texas15,6601.29New York13,1101.40Florida12,8901.50Illinois8,3801.40 In Canada there are 4,037 businesses that cater for the care of horses (which include Farriers, boarding (except racehorses) and Horseshoeing) as reported in the Canadian Industry Statistics for 2016 and a total of nearly 28,000 people who work in the animal care industry. TotalMaleFemale Pet groomers and animal care workers 27,8754,86523,010 People employed in animal care in Canada. Those people working most directly with horses are Grooms, Stable hands and Farriers. According to a study conducted by the British Journal of Sports Medicine, an estimated 102904 people with nonfatal horse related injuries (35.7 per 100000 population) were treated in American emergency departments each year from 2001 to 2003 inclusive. Most horseback riding injuries happen when a rider falls or is thrown from a horse. Falls are more likely to produce serious injuries if the horse is moving quickly or if the rider is dragged or crushed by the horse. However, not all injuries happen while riding. The most serious injuries while off the horse are from horse kicks. Kicks and bites are a common source of injuries. As a horses teeth and feet are its only means of defence, Grooms, stable hands and farriers can often find themselves the recipient of a nasty bite or kick when a horse feels threatened. Working in close proximity to horses, often inside stables, means there is more chance of crush injuries occurring. A horse weighs about half a ton and if they are not properly controlled in stables or other confined spaces where people are moving about, there is the risk of being accidentally crushed by a horse against a wall, gate or fence. Those who work with horses are owed a duty of care by their employer. Grooms, stable hands and farriers are frequently on their own working with horses in rather dangerous circumstances. Staff should be using a lone worker system that enables grooms, stable hands or farriers to be monitored correctly. The system should ensure all workers are safe and able to check in or request help if needed. This is crucial to staff well-being, and necessary to comply with lone working regulations in The United States and Canada. Ok Alone offers a solution to this problem. The lone worker safety app allows workers to check in at regular intervals and request help if they need it. The system has GPS that can locate a worker if they are out on a ride and something happens. Using Ok Alone is not going to stop a horse from kicking, but it will mean that someone else will know something has gone wrong and can then act to get help. 1 https://www.thefarrierguide.com/employment-guide/horse-industry-statistics-farrier/ 2 https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes392021.htm#st 3 https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/app/cis/summary-sommaire/11521 4 2016 Census Statistics Canada 5 British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2006 Jul; 40(7): 619626. K E Thomas, J L Annest, J Gilchrist, and D M BixbyHammett 6 https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/sports/Pages/Horseback-Riding.aspx www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Dashboard Links in SMS Alerts for MonitorsHow Lone Working affects Grooms, Stable Hands and Farriers in the U.K Recent Posts about Ok AloneHow Lone Worker Safety Awards can help your Company Lone Worker Legislation & Policy for New Zealand Video Demo Lone Worker App and Cloud-based Dashboard Lone Worker Legislation & Policy for Victoria Drive Mode For Even Safer Lone Worker Check Ins Lower your costs with COR Certificate of Recognition Top 10 Features of our Lone Worker App Dos and Donts to keep Lone Working Drivers Safe --- ## Lone Working in the Cannabis Industry *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* As it is nearly 18 months since the legalisation of Marijuana in Canada, there has been a boom in the Cannabis industry. Cannabis is a very versatile plant. It can be grown, and its buds harvested and sold, its seeds can be eaten whole, cold pressed into oil or milled into powders. There are many different steps involved in processing the plant and there are often lone workers carrying out the work. What jobs could lone workers be doing? In some of the high-tech facilities plants are grown in the Tissue Culture lab by lone technicians who are tasked with micropropagation, the cloning of plants from a mother plant. This occurs in highly sterile labs where the worker could be away from their colleagues for long periods of time. In similar facilities that work on a large scale, the oil extraction and processing of the seeds is automated. This means that instead of a team of workers there would be one person there to oversee the process and ensure it ran smoothly. This lone worker would be by themselves on the factory floor. At smaller scale factories or on small independent farms there could be lone workers harvesting the crops. These workers would be by themselves amongst the plants and unable to be seen by other staff. How can cannabis growers or hemp processers ensure their lone workers are safe? Lone workers are owed a duty of care by their employer. Staff who work alone should be using a lone worker system that enables them to be monitored correctly. The system should ensure all workers are safe and able to check in or request help if needed. This is crucial to staff well-being, but also necessary to comply with some countries lone working regulations. Ok Alone offers a solution for the Cannabis Industry Ok Alone offers a solution to this problem. A simple, easy to use lone worker app that is downloaded onto a workers phone, so there is no need to buy additional devices. Ok Alones solution gives workers a sense of security as they can call in support and assistance when they need it. Workers have access to a help button that contacts members of staff in the office or a 24-hour call centre to alert them that they need immediate support. There is also a man down feature popular for all lone workers. But most importantly, Ok Alone can offer peace of mind to lone workers by letting them know that if something happens (a help alert is sent or a check in is missed) someone in their company or at the Live Monitoring facility will be alerted. www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Canadian Legislation The Joint Health and Safety CommitteeLower your costs with COR Certificate of Recognition Recent Posts about Ok AloneVolunteers Need Safety Monitoring Lone worker safety systems 5 tips for Managing Workplace Stress Lone worker Safety System Why Canadas Agricultural Lone Workers need Protecting Alert Loops Automatically Alert Monitors In The Order You Choose Healthcare Industry Prioritize Lone Worker Protection Systems Using your Lone Worker App when Driving in the US --- ## Protecting Farm Lone Workers in Britains Most Dangerous Industry *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* Farming and agriculture have been found to be Britains most dangerous industry. Farm workers often carry out their jobs alone which leads to many more incidents and fatalities. One way of bringing the numbers down and improving the safety of agricultural workers is to use a lone worker system. ### The Agriculture Fatality Rate Agriculture has the worst rate of fatal worker injury, per 100,000 workers, within all main industrial sectors: 5.96 per 100,000. This is eighteen times higher than the All Industry rate of 0.4. During the year 2019-2020 the highest number of deaths were vehicle related, involving tractors, a combine harvester, telescopic handlers, an all-terrain utility vehicle, and a boat. This is broadly consistent with the five-year annual average where being struck by a vehicle; killed by an animal; or falling were the most common causes of a fatal injury. ### Causes of death for Farm Workers This year twenty-one people were killed in the agricultural industry. Eighteen less than last year and nine less than the five-year average of thirty. This is the lowest number of deaths recorded in the last five years. While the number of deaths by each cause has fallen and varies each year, the 5 most common causes stand as: Struck by moving vehicles Fall from height Struck by an object Killed by animals Contact with machinery Twenty-one deaths seems high; however, it is just over half of the figure from 2018-2019 where thirty-nine people lost their lives. The rate of fatal worker injury, per 100,000 workers for 2018-2019 was 9.21 compared to the All Industry rate of 0.45. Thirty-nine deaths was six more than 2017-2018 and six more than the five-year average, which at that point was thirty-three. Of the thirty-nine deaths, seven were members of the public, which included two three-year old children. ### Bringing the Fatality Rate Down with Safety Measures Although the number of fatalities has dropped this year, Health and Safety England, the Farm Safety Partnerships (FSP) in England, Scotland and Wales and the Agriculture Industry Advisory Committee (AIAC) are concerned about the number of fatal injuries in the agriculture sector each year. One way of bringing the numbers down and improving the safety of agricultural workers is to use a lone worker system. There are many different solutions available to lone workers that allow them to keep in touch by checking in. However, not all solutions are as simple and convenient as a Smartphone app. ### How a Lone Worker Solution can protect Farm Workers The purpose of a Lone Worker Solution is to ensure all workers go home safely at the end of each day. Lone workers need a safety solution that allows peace of mind that if anything goes wrong, someone will know and can send help. Lone worker solutions are simple systems that connect lone workers with a supervisor who monitors their well-being. The supervisor could be another worker or staff in a call centre. The Ok Alone system has a wide range of features designed to make people working remotely feel safer. The system has an automated countdown timer which reminds lone workers to make contact by checking in using either a smartphone app, SMS or phone call. Workers are also able to check in or request help using the hands-free voice command option. ### Getting Farm Worker Protection with Ok Alone Farm workers are able to change the frequency of their check ins with the high-risk feature. If a worker enters an area where they feel vulnerable, they can reduce the check in time to as little as 10 minutes. After the time has passed with no alerts, the check in frequency will revert to the original count down duration. Ok Alones lone worker smartphone app works in conjunction with a website and cloud-based dashboard that can be used on pc, laptop, tablet or another smartphone. The online dashboard will display a map, supplying whoever is monitoring, with the lone workers last known location if an alert is triggered. This will allow help to be sent to the correct location at a moments notice.1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Fatal injuries in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain 2019/20, Health and Safety Executive Fatal injuries in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain 2019/20 (hse.gov.uk) 6, 7 Fatal injuries in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain 2018/19, Health and Safety ExecutiveFatal injuries in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain 2019/20 (hse.gov.uk) 8 Fatal injuries in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain 2019/20, Health and Safety ExecutiveFatal injuries in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain 2019/20 (hse.gov.uk) www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Lone Worker Solutions Help Agricultural Industry Prevent DisasterLone Working Legislation & Policy in Australia Recent Posts about Ok AloneEssential Tips for your Retail Employees Lone Worker Safety Lone Worker Legislation & Policy for Northern Territories What is Lone Working and other Relevant Questions Lone Worker Legislation & Policy for Queensland Activating the Discreet Lone Worker Alarm on an iPhone Lone Working in the Cannabis Industry How to Recognise and Avoid Aggressive Driving What do people mean when they say Lone Worker in the Logistics industry? Legislation, Regulations and Policy for Lone Workers in Ireland --- ## Falling Short: The High Cost of Neglecting Safety in the UK Construction Industry *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* The construction industry in the United Kingdom is one of the most dangerous industries to work in. It has consistently been in the top spot since 2017, followed by the group Agriculture, forestry and fishing. What is causing these fatalities and what is being done to stop them? What does Construction include? First off, what is construction? Construction includes three broad industry groups: Construction of buildings general construction of buildings, including new work, repair, additions and alterations; Civil engineering civil engineering work, including road and railway construction, and utility projects; and Specialised construction activities covering trades that usually specialise in one aspect, common to different structures. For example: demolition, electrical, plumbing, joinery, plastering, painting and glazing. There is an overlap between these groups, for example roofing work may be carried out by a specialist contractor and so included in Specialised construction activities or by a general contractor as part of Construction of buildings. This sector accounts for 6% of the total workforce in Great Britain. The dangers within the construction industry Percentage of Fatality Causes in the Construction Industry 2022. Each year, thousands of construction workers are injured or killed on the job due to a variety of hazards. These hazards include falls from heights, being struck by falling objects, and being caught in or between equipment or structures. Within the UK there were 30 fatal injuries to workers and 5 to members of the public during 2021-22 which is 10 less than the previous year. Data collected by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) shows an average of 36 fatalities to workers and 5 to members of the public each year over the last five years. 51% of deaths over the same five-year period were due to Falls from a height. Falls from height One of the major hazards in the construction industry is falls from heights. Workers who work at heights, such as roofers and scaffolders, are at risk of falling if proper safety measures are not taken. During 2021-22 there were 15 fatalities resulting from falls from height across Construction of buildings, Civil Engineering and Specialised construction activities. 100% of these fatalities were male. The ages of those who died ranged from 16 to over 65, with the majority being in the 45-54 year old bracket. ### Being Struck by Objects Another major hazard in the construction industry is being struck by falling objects. Workers on construction sites are at risk of being hit by falling debris, tools, or equipment. Days before Christmas in 2021 a construction worker was killed after being struck by a falling object in Shoreditch, London. The 32 year old was working on a residential development project on East Road. To prevent more instances like this, employers must ensure that all tools and equipment are properly secured and that workers are trained to recognize and avoid falling hazards. ### Being Caught in or Between Equipment or Structures Being caught in or between equipment or structures is also a major hazard in the construction industry. Workers can be crushed or trapped if they come into contact with heavy machinery or if a structure collapses. In 2020 the Director of TLW was sentenced to four years in jail for manslaughter by gross negligence when one of his employees was killed after being crushed between a glass and metal panel weighing hundreds of kilos that fell against a forklift truck. Employers must provide training on how to safely operate and maintain equipment, and must ensure that all structures are properly built, secured and maintained. ### Going Forward in the Construction Industry In conclusion, the construction industry in the United Kingdom is a dangerous place to work, with a high number of injuries and deaths each year. The main hazards that construction workers face include falls from heights, being struck by falling objects, and being caught in or between equipment or structures. Other dangers such as exposure to hazardous materials, electrical hazards, and noise-induced hearing loss also pose a threat to the workers. However, it is important to note that with proper safety measures in place, the risk of injury or death in construction can be greatly reduced. Employers have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure that their workers are properly trained and equipped to perform their jobs safely. In light of this, it is crucial that employers take their responsibilities seriously and prioritize the safety of their workers. Furthermore, the government and other stakeholders should work together with businesses in ensuring that regulations are being implemented and enforced effectively. The construction industry is vital to the UK economy and the safety of the workers should be a top priority. UK SIC 2007 Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk) Annual Population Survey, 2021 Construction statistics in Great Britain, 2022, HSE RIDDOR, 2021/22; RIDDOR, 2017/18-2021/22 Fatalities reportable under RIDDOR, 2017/18 to 2021/22p https://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/23010908.inquest-names-construction-worker-died-hoxton-building-site/ https://www.cieh.org/ehn/health-and-safety/2020/february/employer-jailed-after-worker-crushed-to-death/Stacey ManclarkAs an expert in lone worker content management, I possess an extensive knowledge base and experience in the area of lone working and safety monitoring. My expertise in this field encompasses a wide range of areas, including risk assessment, training, communication, and technology. I have a deep understanding of the unique risks associated with lone workers and have researched and written many projects and articles to educate people in how to mitigate these risks. www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Workers Compensation- the Safety Net for your EmployeesBuilding a Safer Future: The Importance of Safety Monitoring in the US Construction Industry Recent Posts about Ok AloneThe Different Terms Used for Lone Working Around the World Lone Worker App & Safety Monitoring available in French 6 Tips for your Lone Worker Check In Procedure Healthcare Industry Prioritize Lone Worker Protection Systems Are your Lone Workers Stressed? A collaborative approach to safety strategy in Canadian logistics Personal Alarms for Lone Workers Keep Workers Safe using Microsoft Teams with a Lone Worker Solution --- ## Who is a Lone Worker? *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* The number of Lone workers has been steadily increasing for the last few years. Recently though, numbers have taken a drastic rise as a result of the pandemic. Do you qualify as a lone worker? A lone worker is classified as someone who works by themselves without close or direct supervision, where they cannot be seen or heard by another person. Someone whose activities involve a large percentage of their working time operating in situations without the benefit of interaction with other workers or without supervision. There are many people who work in occupations where they are considered to be lone workers:People working alone at a fixed base receptionists, staff in shops, petrol stations, factories, warehouses, manufacturing, or leisure centres People who work separately from other people on the same premises or outside normal working hours security staff, cleaners, maintenance and repair staff, research and training establishments, fairgrounds, painting and decorating People who are Self-employed People who work in the energy industry or oil and gas Industry People who work away from a fixed base health, medical and social care workers visiting peoples homes, real estate agents, utility meter readers or technicians, pest control workers Workers involved in construction, maintenance and repair including engineers, plant installation, assessors and delivery drivers of equipment and supplies Service workers postal staff, taxi drivers, sales or service representatives Delivery drivers including HGV drivers, van driver/couriers and car/bike-based couriers, vehicle recovery Agricultural and forestry workers People who work from home writers or anyone with flexible workingAre you allowed to be a lone worker? Yes. It is not illegal for people in the U.K to work on their own. There is nothing specific in general legislation that prohibits a person from working alone. Section 19 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires all employers to undertake a risk assessment, and the outcome of the assessment will determine whether or not an employee may work alone. Some situations such as advanced pregnancy or existing disability/medical conditions may stop a person safely working alone or affect a persons ability to complete tasks alone or in isolation. ### Lone Worker Solutions One way of improving the safety of lone workers is to use a lone worker system. The purpose of a Lone Worker Solution is to ensure all workers go home safely at the end of their day. There are many different solutions available to lone workers that allow them to stay in contact with colleagues and check in at predetermined intervals. Lone workers need a safety solution that allows peace of mind that if anything goes wrong, someone can send help immediately. Lone worker solutions are electronic systems that connect lone workers with a supervisor who monitors their well-being. The supervisor could be another worker, a member of their company or staff in a call centre. However, not all solutions are as simple and convenient as a Smartphone app. ### Ok Alone Lone Worker Solution The Ok Alone lone worker solution has a wide range of features designed to make people who work remotely feel safer. The system has an automated countdown timer which reminds lone workers to make contact by checking in using either the smartphone app, SMS or phone call. Workers are also able to check in or request help using the hands-free voice command option. Lone workers can change the frequency of their check ins with the high-risk feature. If a worker enters an area that they deem more dangerous or where they feel vulnerable, they can reduce the check in time to as little as 10 minutes. After the time has passed with no alerts, the check in frequency will revert to the original count down duration. Ok Alones lone worker smartphone app works in conjunction with a website and cloud-based dashboard that can be used on a pc, laptop, tablet or another smartphone. The online dashboard will display a map supplying the lone workers last known location if an alert is triggered. This will allow help to be sent to the correct location at a moments notice. Using an automated system like Ok Alone allows companies to stay up to date with their staffs welfare and well being without having to dedicate hours to watching a screen. Ok Alone runs in the background of your work day and is there when you really need it.1 https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2016/10/Working20alone.pdf , Pg 2 2 https://www.hsa.ie/eng/Legislation/Acts/Safety_Health_and_Welfare_at_Work/SI_No_10_of_2005.pdf , Pg 30 www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ What is Lone Working and other Relevant QuestionsTrusty Ox Systems announces the availability of its safety monitoring solution on the Geotab Marketplace Cloud-based Dashboard for Lone Worker Monitoring How Desktop Panic Buttons Work What Artificial Intelligence thinks of Ok Alone --- # Transport, Logistics and Driving ## Trusty Ox Systems announces the availability of its safety monitoring solution on the Geotab Marketplace *December 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* Ok Alone is designed to help provide fleet managers with confidence that lone drivers are safe throughout their work day. Toronto, Ontario March 23, 2021 Trusty Ox Systems Ltd, a rapidly growing, Canadian lone worker safety monitoring company with customers around the world, is pleased to announce the availability of Ok Alone on the Geotab Marketplace, a go-to source for top organizations seeking to better manage their fleets. Announced at Geotab Extend, Ok Alone will provide Geotab customers with access to a safety monitoring solution that can help expand their telematics solution beyond vehicle and fleet management. The Ok Alone system seamlessly integrates with the Geotab platform to provide fleet managers with comprehensive coverage for real-time safety support. If a lone driver requires safety assistance, the Ok Alone solution allows drivers to simply push a panic button on their mobile application and their current location is immediately relayed back to a support team to send help. Fleet managers are able to track met and missed check-ins from within their MyGeotab platform, making it easy to send help to the appropriate location. Going further, with Ok Alones voice recognition capability, drivers are able to request help verbally if necessary. If a driver is suspected to have fallen unconscious, Ok Alone flags the potential issue to the fleet manager, using the Man down feature, who can respond accordingly. Providing safety support to both small and enterprise clients, Ok Alone understands the importance of providing a flexible safety solution that can be tailored to help meet the unique safety needs of todays fleets. By utilizing this solution, Geotab customers are able to request help from anywhere, including away from the vehicle, to get immediate assistance when needed. Ok Alone is a simple, flexible mobile solution that provides fleet managers with greater insights into the safety and well-being of their drivers, said Barry Larson, Product Manager of Ok Alone. We are exceptionally proud to be working with Geotab to help inspire a culture of safety within the fleet industry and help enable a safer working environment for all. As a company dedicated to helping improve driver and community safety, Geotab is thrilled to welcome Trust Ox Systems to the Geotab Marketplace, said Louis De Jong, Executive Vice President of Geotab. This integrated solution works hand-in-hand with the Geotab platform to provide fleet managers with greater visibility into their fleets to achieve our shared goal of helping drivers stay connected and protected while on the road. Discover Ok Alone on the Geotab Marketplace: https://marketplace.geotab.com/solutions/trusty-ox/ ### About Geotab Geotab is advancing security, connecting commercial vehicles to the internet and providing web-based analytics to help customers better manage their fleets. Geotabs open platform and Marketplace, offering hundreds of third-party solution options, allows both small and large businesses to automate operations by integrating vehicle data with their other data assets. As an IoT hub, the in-vehicle device provides additional functionality through IOX Add-Ons. Processing billions of data points a day, Geotab leverages data analytics and machine learning to help customers improve productivity, optimize fleets through the reduction of fuel consumption, enhance driver safety, and achieve strong compliance to regulatory changes. Geotabs products are represented and sold worldwide through Authorized Geotab Resellers. To learn more, please visit www.geotab.com and follow us @GEOTAB and on LinkedIn. ### About Ok Alone Ok Alone is a SaaS service developed by Trusty Ox Systems Ltd, a Victoria, Canada based company. The company has seen exceptional growth in both the Canadian and international markets, much of which driven by word of mouth referrals. Lone Working / Duty of Care legislation drives this market and therefore affects most organisations. Ok Alone was developed to help customers meet their compliance obligations at an affordable price. To learn more, visit www.okaloneworker.com www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Who is a Lone Worker?Alert Loops Automatically Alert Monitors In The Order You Choose Recent Posts about Ok AloneCan a task bar help button on your computer help in emergencies? Sacramentos Hotel Worker Panic Button Legislation Top 8 Features of a Lone Worker App for 2023 Thuraya SatSleeve+ Satellite Phone Building a Safer Future: The Importance of Safety Monitoring in the US Construction Industry Desktop/Web App for Lone Workers Our Response to Work Smarter Magazines Top five lone worker apps Article The importance of lone worker training and engagement of staff --- ## Delivery Logistics Company Case Study *December 15, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* Integrating check-in and man-down lone worker safety features using the Lone Worker Api A leading delivery company approached OK Alone looking for a system to ensure driver safety both inside and outside of their delivery vehicles. Existing asset trackers were part of the solution by providing the location of the delivery vehicle, but did little to protect workers when away from the vehicle. The Challenge: Develop a completely integrated system to maintain the existing efficiency of delivery process while adding lone worker safety features. The client required a smooth and effective design that wouldn't slow delivery times, allowing drivers to maintain their busy schedules. The Solution: Use the clients existing driver delivery application with the OK Alone API. By using the API, it was possible to integrate lone worker features within the existing application. Drivers could then perform all functions related to both deliveries and worker safety using one application. In addition, minimal re-training was needed due to drivers familiarity with their existing app. Our Approach: The API made it easy for the customer to choose the functionality they needed. It was all very self serve and easy to implement. This minimized development time and cost significantly meaning they could meet both lone working legislation and business requirements. Result: The existing OK Alone API met both the business and legislative lone working requirements, so no API customizations were needed. New screens were added to the delivery application to allow the completion of real-time worker check-ins. This meant that alongside the delivery functions, drivers could now check in, update their location in case of emergency and have a help button which linked to Ok Alones 24/7 live monitoring centre. The delivery app also integrated Ok Alones man down system, where the app can detect a lack of movement and request help if the driver does not respond in time. www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Social Distancing for Lone WorkersWill I have to Self-isolate or self-quarantine? Recent Posts about Ok AloneLone Worker Legislation & Policy for Victoria Use Siri to Check in Hands Free The importance of lone worker training and engagement of staff Man Down Injury Statistics 2017-18 What Artificial Intelligence thinks of Ok Alone Lone Worker App & Safety Monitoring available in Spanish --- ## What do people mean when they say Lone Worker in the Logistics industry? *December 13, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* Many industries across the world are recognising that more and more people are required or are choosing to work on their own these days. As a result of that, those people are referred to as lone workers. Who could be considered a lone worker? Field staff who are working off siteWarehouse workers who work outside regular hours or in a remote part of the buildingDelivery drivers during their roundsTrades workersUtilities workers In this article we are going to focus on delivery drivers. We will look at terms that are frequently linked to people who work alone and how they relate to drivers. Worker Location: This is a way for companies to know where their drivers are and that they are safe. This is often done using a specific device or through a Smartphone app. The tracking feature should have real time GPS location points that show a drivers position. Monitoring should only be done during a drivers shift and only when necessary, for instance if a driver has not checked in or has requested help. Check In:If a diver is alone for the duration of their shift then it is necessary for them to check in to let their supervisors know they are all right. This should be done at the start, throughout the shift at regular intervals and at the end of the shift. Checking in can be done through the an app or device, voice command, phone call, or text message. Monitor: A monitor is the person who receives the check in from a lone worker. They are also the person who would get any help requests during a shift if a worker was in trouble. They may be monitoring one individual or a group of lone workers. This could be an assigned individual or dispatch. Live Monitoring: Sometimes your monitor isn't available if your drivers shift is outside of office hours or on weekends. Live monitoring connects to a call centre that is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure there is someone to receive check ins and help requests at all times. Escalation Procedure: Every lone worker needs to have an individual escalation procedure. This is a detailed plan of what to do and who to contact in which order, if a driver fails to check in or requests help and can't be reached. All drivers who work alone need a reliable lone worker solution. The easiest way to achieve this is through a smartphone app. Ok Alone offers lone drivers the ability to check in with supervisors; verbally, physically or through the vehicles movement, request immediate assistance, movement detection (man down function), high-risk check ins and much more to help drivers stay safe while out on shift. Transporting goods while out alone means drivers are vulnerable to robbery and hijackings when loading, unloading, parking overnight or just driving their vehicle. Having a way to immediately alert someone if they are in distress, injured or facing a threatening situation gives drivers a sense of security that someone can send help when they really need it. www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Dos and Donts to keep Lone Working Drivers Safe7 Important Features of a Lone Worker App for Drivers Recent Posts about Ok AloneLone worker protection technology for mining teams Lone Working with Google Home from Ok Alone Discover how to find Hidden Hazards at Work and Keep your Team Safe A Day in a Life with Ok Alone Security Guards Winter has arrived. Snowplow drivers need lone worker safety too --- ## 5 key elements to your fleet safety program *December 6, 2023 · Ok Alone* The best fleet safety programs are designed to protect your staff against injury and you from liability. These programs set out the written policies and procedures you want followed as a preventive measure, and in the event of an unexpected emergency. In this blog, we are going to share five key elements of a good fleet safety program. Training DiligentlyRegular training should be part of your fleet safety program. You can do this at your monthly safety meeting or at special events. The training should include common information about the trucks in your fleet AND updates to your safety procedures. For example, if you have recently updated your companys lone worker escalation procedure, this update should be shared to everyone on your team. Equally, safe driving strategies, techniques and defensive driving information should also be made available. Hire CarefullyCreating a culture of safety starts with the people you hire. Top performing teams are not just thrown together. They are carefully selected at the time of hiring. Make sure to check each applicants credentials and their safety record. Calling their previous employers safety officer is a very good way to see if they supported a safety culture in the past. When the pressure to find a replacement driver is high, keep in mind the cost of getting the wrong person to do the job. Accident ManagementHaving a standardized process for what to do after an accident ensures the right things happen at the right time. Doing this will help you minimize your costs, understand your exposure to future risks and implement improvements to your current system. After an accident occurs, you may want to reassess that roles risk profile. Re-doing your risk assessment may point to new insights about what went wrong. Written ProceduresThe first step to ensuring the proper safety procedures are followed is having them written down, with easy access for everyone. Then they must be clearly communicated on a consistent basis. Finally, they must be enforced. When everyone is clear on what to do in an emergency, you have the best chance of ensuring consistency across your organization. Written procedures can also be used to measure driver performance. As the old saying goes, you get what you measure, so make sure to include safety measures on your list. MaintenanceIt sounds obvious, but maintaining your fleet can go a long way to protecting your bottom line. In fact, maintenance is one of the best investments in your fleet you can make. Regular inspections, preventative repairs and just general maintenance are all going to be much less expensive than a sudden unpredicted breakdown or roadside incident. How does your fleet safety program stack up against this checklist? Are all of your procedures written down? Or perhaps youd like to update the procedures for your drivers by downloading our free risk assessment guide? www.okaloneworker.com How to Create a Formal Hazard AssessmentA collaborative approach to safety strategy in Canadian logistics Recent Posts about Ok AloneOur Response to Work Smarter Magazines Top five lone worker apps Article Introducing the Learning Center Lone Worker Safety Education National Hotels Pledge increased Safety with Panic Buttons for Hotel Workers Iridium Extreme PTT (Push-To-Talk) U.S Legislation for Electricians Northwest Territories and Nunavut Safety Act Working from Home Tips from the Ok Alone Team Lone Worker Legislation & Policy in Canada --- ## A collaborative approach to safety strategy in Canadian logistics *December 6, 2023 · Ok Alone* I recently worked with a logistics company which delivers goods across Canada. They were interested in improving their Occupational Health and Safety Management System and their overall safety strategy. This company had the basics covered but were eager to develop a system that met all jurisdictional requirements. Over several months, I met with the company President, along with the Human Resources Manager, and Health and Safety Representative. It was indeed a team effort. Our first course of action was to understand the hazards workers faced on a day-to-day basis. For a consistent framework, we agreed on a simple format that met the needs of the organization and supported their safety strategy objectives. We developed a Hazard Recognition, Assessment, Control, and Evaluation of Controls Policy. We chose hazard categories and defined them in the policy: Physical; Chemical; Biological; Musculoskeletal; Psychosocial; and Safety. We decided on a risk assessment matrix and assessed hazards without considering any existing controls. Next, we used the hierarchy of controls to manage risks and re-evaluated the hazards taking into consideration the controls already in place and any future controls that the company was planning on implementing as part of the broader safety strategy. The team repeated this process for each job category within the company. The group readily saw what was currently being done to protect workers and where the gaps were. The to do list quickly turned into research, policies, procedures, forms, a training matrix, and many meaningful discussions. All the hazard categories were present in this workplace. Some examples included heat and cold stress (Physical Hazard), city and highway driving (Safety Hazard), working alone (Safety Hazard), slips, trips and falls (Safety Hazard), violence and harassment (Psychosocial Hazard), overexertion (Musculoskeletal Hazard), and domestic animals and wildlife (Biological Hazards). Some control measures used as part of the overall safety strategy included the elimination of hazards. At the discretion of the company president, the drivers can be taken off the road. This has happened on particularly dangerous weather days. Their company policy states that safety supersedes deliveries. Mechanical lifting devices (Engineering Control) are available for heavy loads. Customers are expected to keep loading docks and walkways clear of ice and snow (Elimination). Training (Administrative Control) is provided to new workers, and it is regularly updated. This process has led to a standardized training program, with a formal evaluation. Workers have the authority to refuse deliveries if their health or safety is at risk such as in the case of violence, harassment, or slip, trip and fall hazards. The company has always provided hats, warm coats, and high-visibility vests. Once the hazard assessments were completed, it was easy to justify ice-grippers for winter boots (Personal Protective Equipment) to enhance their safety strategy. The company hopes to decrease worker slip, trip, and fall incidents in the winter months. The President welcomed the suggestion of a GPS-satellite-location system for drivers who were working alone and had no other method for check-ins. In some areas, if workers encounter difficulties, this will now ensure that they will receive the support they need; whether it be a call out for a tire change or an emergency call for a health-related issue. Formalizing the hazard assessment process has allowed this logistics company to validate their Occupational Health and Safety Management System and add essential control measures to protect their valued employees. ””””” This blog was written by Health & Safety Professionals Inc. (HSPI), which Ok Alone is pleased to share with permission. HSPI is a health and safety consulting and training firm established in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario in 1998. Louise Caicco Tett, President, leads the company and as such is committed to professionalism; excellence; timely and efficient service; and customer satisfaction. Louise has her Masters in Public Health (MPH) from the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. HSPI is a Chief Prevention Officer approved provider of Basic Certification Training Parts I and II under the 2015 standards. Want to learn more about Canadian lone worker safety legislation. See our blog https://www.okaloneworker.com/2018/01/canadian-work-alone-legislation/ www.okaloneworker.com 5 key elements to your fleet safety programSimple safety advice for women driving alone Recent Posts about Ok AloneChemicals in the Workplace Soup Theory for Laboratory Lone Working Ofsted Guidelines for Lone Working in Schools Lone Worker Legislation & Policy for the UK High Risk Check-ins from Ok Alone Using your Lone Worker App when Driving in the US Send an SMS to all Lone Workers Lone Worker Protection for Staff and Students in American Universities 3 Safety Considerations for Land Surveyors Who Work Alone --- ## Work Alone Safety: Creating a Safe Space for Fixed-Site Lone Workers *December 6, 2023 · Ok Alone* What comes to mind when you hear the term lone worker? An oilfield operator testing well production at an unmanned site? A biologist conducting fieldwork on a northern river? A truck driver making a delivery on an isolated stretch of road? These types of individuals, who must often carry out their job duties in dynamic and remote places, are common examples of lone workers. Perhaps because they present the greatest work alone safety challenges due to inaccessibility and lack of communications. But lone workers aren't always off in far-flung, ever-changing locations. They can also be fixed site workers, which means they work alone for prolonged periods of time at the same location, either due to the nature of their role or outside of normal business hours. This kind of worker includes:Gas station attendants Security guards Maintenance workers Cleaning attendants Receptionists Shop workers TeleworkersBecause these lone workers are in the same surroundings day in and day out, its easy to become complacent and overlook the unique safety risks associated with their fixed locations. On the same note, having a home base makes it easier to take control of the biggest hazard these lone workers face: their environment. The environment of a building or other work space has a huge impact on the health and safety of lone workers. From layout, to security, to human behaviour itself, here's what you need to know to create a safer fixed-site working environment for your lone employees. Physical layout and design of the work space When conducting a working alone safety assessment, its important to consider the layout of the rooms, equipment, and furniture. The workplace should have:Clear and accessible escape routesThe reception area, for example, should not place staff in an isolated position As well, ensure furniture, equipment, and fittings do not protrude into walkways An obvious distinction between public and private areas A separate area for cash handling, preferably at the front of the store, where its visible from the outside Easy accessibility to commonly used items Equipment, such as tools and ladders, that be easily accessed and used by one person Safe cord managementThere should never be cords running across the floor or in any other arrangement that could lead to tripping or tangling. Some employers even go as far as choosing pastel dcor colours for a calming effect, as bright, bold colours can negatively affect the mood and perception of both employees and public visitors. Physical security Just because a worker is separated from their manager or another staff member doesn't mean they're physically alone. Many lone workers in fixed locations deal with the public on a regular basis, making them more vulnerable to security risks. To secure the workplace, be sure to include:Good lighting in public areas and walkways At least five feet of space around doorways (ensure shrubs and trees don't create blind spots or hiding spaces) Locks to control staff-only areas Physical barriers to reduce the likelihood of violence (if applicable) A lone worker safety monitoring system A more general building-wide security systemHuman behaviour In addition to the physical aspect of the working environment, there are a few things lone workers themselves can do to create safer and more positive surroundings:Manage stress in a positive wayStressed employees are at a higher risk for safety incidents on the job, and can put other staff members at risk as well. With no one to help manage your workload, watch your back, or even talk to, working in isolation can be a trying experience. So, make sure you have someone to talk to about it, take plenty of breaks, and take advantage of any resources the employer provides. Wear appropriate ID Encourage employees to challenge strangers General housekeepingPut office equipment away immediately after use, in designated spots Clean up spills immediately Ensure waste materials are properly stored and removed regularlyWhen it comes to the health and safety of working alone, its important to review your environment regularly and revisit the risks whenever the physical layout changes. And remember that environment is just one of the many, many factors affecting isolated workers. For more insights on how to keep your staff safe, check out our other blog posts. www.okaloneworker.com Using Focus Groups to Gather Risk Information for a Lone Worker PolicyKnow your working status with Ok Alone Recent Posts about Ok AloneIs a computer based panic button more effective than a button mounted on the wall? Oakland Local Ordinances Chapter 5.93 Hotel Minimum Wage and Working Conditions What is a Lone Worker Policy and other Questions Lone Worker Legislation & Policy for South Australia Lone Working Legislation & Policy in Australia How workplace culture shapes your working alone safety policy Northwest Territories and Nunavut Safety Act 5 tips for Managing Workplace Stress Lone worker Safety System --- ## Work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain 2023 *August 8, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* At the beginning of July the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for Britain released their figures for the number of work related fatalities with data from April 2022 up to March 2023. During the assessment period for 2022/2023 135 workers were killed in work-related accidents in the UK, an increase of 12 from 2021/22. ### Industry Results The industries with the highest fatality rates were Construction and Agriculture/forestry/fishing with 45 and 21 deaths respectively. Manufacturing, Wholesale/Retail/Motor repair/Accommodation/Food and Transportation/Storage each had 15 fatalities recorded. These five industries accounted for 82% of all fatalities. Number of fatal injuries by selected main industry group, 2022/23p and annual average for 2018/19-2022/23p. ### Accident Type Results 80% of all fatalities were caused by five accident types. Once again the highest cause of death is from falls from height (40) followed by being struck by a moving, including a flying/falling, object (29). 20 people were struck by a moving vehicle, 12 were trapped by something collapsing/overturning and 9 by contact with moving machinery. Number of fatal injuries to workers by accident kind,2022/23 and annual average for the five year period 2018/19-2022/23. ### Gender and Age Results In 2022/23, 129 (96%) of all worker fatalities were male workers, a similar proportion to earlier years (116 (94%) during 2021/22). Looking at age groups, 25% of the fatal injuries were to workers aged 60 and over even though they only represent 11% of the workforce. When broken down into specific age brackets and the rate of fatal injuries per 100,000 workers, the groups with the highest rate are 65+ (1.43), 60-64 (0.75) and 55-59 (0.56). The groups with the lowest rates of fatality per 100,000 workers are 16-19 (0.16), 25-34 (0.25) and 20-24 (0.28). Rate of fatal injuries by age group (per 100,000 workers), annual average for 2018/19-2022/23p. ### Employment Results For the five year period 2018-2023 33% of fatal injuries occurred to self-employed workers, although they only account for around 15% of the total workforce. Figures also show that 64% of those who died in the Agriculture/forestry/fishing industries were self-employed workers. Percentage of fatal injuries to employees and self-employed workers for selected industries, 2018/19-2022/23p. ### Country and Regional Results Using the fatal injury rate per 100,000 workers England has a lower injury rate than either Scotland or Wales. However, injury rates are strongly influenced by variations in the mix of industries and occupations and in England there are a greater proportion of people working in lower risk jobs than in Scotland and Wales. Number of fatal injuries by country and region within GB, 2022/23p and annual average for 2018/19-2022/23p (annual average number in brackets). ### Trends Over Time Although there has been an increase of 12 deaths from the previous years data, the fatal injury rate per 100,000 deaths has remained largely stable over the last ten years. The rate for 2020/21 was 0.44 deaths per 100,000 workers, followed by 0.38 deaths per 1000,000 for 2021/22. The 135 fatalities for 2022/23 means a fatal injury rate of 0.41 deaths per 100,000 workers. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17 Work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain, 2023, Health and Safety Executive 7, 16 Work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain, 2022, Health and Safety Executive www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Lone Worker App for Android from Ok AloneUsing a panic button Californias heat-related illness regulations Recent Posts about Ok AloneStart & End Shift Alerts for Lone Workers Legislation & Policy for Lone Working in Ontario and Nova Scotia A Day in a Life with Ok Alone Lone Working + Gamification = A Perfect Match Lone Worker App for Android from Ok Alone Help alerts with the Ok Alone lone worker solution Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 Satellite Phone Legislation for Lone Working in British Columbia --- ## How one of our employees used Ok Alone to stay safe while driving in Morocco *June 12, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* At Ok Alone we don't just recommend other people use our solution, we use it too. Whether its our staff working from home or driving from one side of Canada to the other, we use our system to make sure our people are safe! (It is also a bonus that we get data to improve the solution for everyone else too.) ### Remote Work and Travel in Morocco Last month one of our technical team members was working remotely travelling around Morocco. As we wanted to make sure Dan was safe while driving to different locations he used Ok Alone to track his journeys. Starting point for Dans journey. ### Continuous Location Data and Journey Path While logged in on a shift and with his phones location settings set to GPS Normal we were provided with continuous location data to the system every 1-2 minutes. With this information we were able to see a clear, continuously updating path winding its way through the Moroccan countryside. This let us know where Dan was, that he was safe and learn some new place names! Dan checked in outside Agadir. ### Flexible Check-in Settings for Dans Journey Dan chose the setting No Timer for his journey. Although he didn't have set check in times for the shift, Dan checked in frequently throughout his journey. The first one was 44 minutes into the journey just outside Agadir. Checking in after a junction. ### Clear Path of Movements and Dashboard Map Features As Dan wasn't using a set check in, he decided to check in his location after changing direction or going through a large junction in order to leave a clear path of his movements. Using the map feature on the dashboard we were able to zoom in and see the exact road Dan was driving on. Driving along Ait Melloul Ring Road. ### Real-time Monitoring for Peace of Mind Using our employee monitoring system while driving himself around Morocco, Dan was able to give his supervisors (and wife) peace of mind as they could all follow his progress in real time. They knew exactly where he was and had longitude and latitude co-ordinates as well as the what 3 words location if they needed to send help. Detailed Journey Records and Dashboard Organization View in dashboard of Dans completed journey. Within the dashboard all of Dans journeys are saved under Reports and Logs in the Shifts page under Dans full name and the date and start time of his journey. When the specific journey is opened you can see the above image of the completed journey actions, as well as the map with all of the location pins that were updated and saved. Overall, Dan had 678 location updates over the four hours seven minutes he was travelling. Conclusion The Ok Alone solution has proven itself to be an effective and reliable tool for ensuring the safety and well-being of employees, even in remote locations and while traveling abroad. By using the system with our own staff, we not only demonstrate the practicality and versatility of our product, but using it also allows us to gather invaluable data to further enhance the features for the benefit of all our users. Dan arriving at his final destination. In Dans case, traveling through Morocco, showcases the power of continuous location tracking, customizable check-in settings, and detailed journey records, providing peace of mind for both supervisors and loved ones. The Ok Alone system stands as a testament to our commitment to safety and continuous improvement, making it an ideal choice for organizations seeking to safeguard their employees in any situation. www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ What are the Hazards of Lone Working?How to choose a Lone Worker App: Pricing and Features Recent Posts about Ok AloneWorker Down not Man Down Legislation & Policy for Lone Workers in Manitoba Legislation & Policy for Lone Workers in Yukon Single point of contact made easy Key aspects of lone worker check-in Understanding the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and their Legislation, Guidelines and Penalties Lone Worker App for Windows from Ok Alone --- ## Improving the Safety of Employees who Drive for Work *March 10, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* Angelina Robinson and Rick Walters from Road Safety at Work BC. recently hosted a webinar, Improving safety for employees who drive their own vehicles for work. Amongst the many interesting ideas they shared, one thought-provoking fact really stood out Any vehicle being used for work becomes the workplace, this then means that legal requirements apply whether a vehicle used for work is owned by the company or by the employee. Occupational Health and Safety Regulations do not change regardless of whether it is a company or privately-owned car. So, who does this affect? Everyone who must drive as part of their job; Care workers, Refuse workers, Paramedics, Road gritters, Delivery drivers, Taxi drivers, Social workers and many, many more! ### Legal Requirements for Employers What needs to be done to ensure all these people are safe? Companies need to make sure the vehicles are fit for purpose. Employers need to know what their legal requirements are and what they are required to do to abide by them. Vehicles need to meet the needs of the staff and meet the needs of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (OSHR) by safely performing their intended functions. OHSRs state that vehicles must be inspected before the start of a shift, therefore, employees using their own cars need to prove to employers that they are doing this. ### Maintenance of Vehicles Road Safety at Work have created Daily Inspection and Maintenance Forms that can be downloaded and emailed to supervisors/employers as evidence of compliance with regulations. Road Safety at Work also have a great page of tips to show what should be checked during a vehicle inspection. If the vehicle is used every day, it is also a good idea to occasionally have a supervisor/manager assist in the inspection, so they are aware of the condition of the vehicle. ### Responsibility of Vehicle Owner All that said, it is the responsibility of the vehicles owner to ensure it meets the Motor Vehicle Act regulations, that all maintenance is done to ensure the vehicle is road-worthy and that the vehicle is registered and insured. So, if you are using your own car for work you need to show evidence of road-worthiness and insurance to your employer or, if you use a company vehicle, you need to know that the car is being maintained and insured correctly. As an employer of people who drive for a living, it is also your responsibility to make sure all staff have received appropriate instruction and that staff are competent and familiar with the operating procedures for any vehicle they are required to drive. ### Due Diligence of Workplace Safety As mentioned above, during the work day any vehicle that is being driven by an employee becomes their work place. This means that if there was an incident involving the vehicle, an investigation would check work place policies and any due diligence would go back on the employer if it was found the work place was not meeting regulations. Care workers, Refuse workers, Paramedics, Road gritters, Delivery drivers, Taxi drivers, Social workers and all the other people driving as part of their job need to make sure they know who is responsible for the vehicles they are driving and that the right policies and regulations are being followed to ensure their safety. The Canadian Centre for ### Occupational Health and Safety have a very helpful web page that offers great advice for lone workers; https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/alone/workingalone.html . www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ OSHA Regulations 1915, 1910 and 1926 for Lone Working HVAC TechniciansThe California Consumer Privacy Act Lone Worker Legislation --- ## I have GPS, What else do I need? An app for my lone workers? *March 8, 2023 · Ok Alone* ### GPS Safety App Sometimes people think because they have GPS tracking on their vehicles, they are monitoring the safety of their lone workers. Here's a story from one of our customers. After you read it, you decide if you need a lone worker GPS safety app. Tom worked for a trucking company. He made short haul runs to various points in the area. One day Tom arrived on site and was about to hook-up his load. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his chest. He was having a heart attack. Several hours passed before anyone noticed he was missing. His GPS tracking system showed his truck was on site, but as far as the GPS was concerned, all systems were normal. Sadly this was very much not the case. The moral of the story is knowing someones location is very different from confirming they are safe at appropriate time intervals depending on the risk of the situation. If Tom had been able to send a Help signal or have the office alerted to him not checking in, this story may have had a different ending. We think about that every time we add a feature or upgrade Ok Alone. After all, everyone deserves to go home at the end of their shift. Can your company benefit from our lone worker safety app? Many of our clients prefer to work with Ok Alones lone worker safety app, which is easily downloaded to your iPhone or Android. The app provides a way for workers to check in, at whatever interval deemed necessary, and offers easy two way communication so lone workers can call for help at any time, should an incident occur. Whether you find that the safety app for smartphones or the desktop system (or some combination of the two!) works better for your business will depend on your specific requirements and your safety policy but either way, you'll find our lone worker safety system is affordable, quick to implement and easy for your workers to use. Contact us to learn more, or sign up for our free trial! www.okaloneworker.com What makes a great escalation procedure?Home Care Lone Workers Need Safety Solution to Work Alone Recent Posts about Ok AloneLone worker alarms and escalation procedures Ok Alone Worker Does your team really need a lone worker safety system? Lone Worker Monitoring System Improving the Safety of Employees who Drive for Work Is your Team Prepared? Lone Worker Safety System Lone Worker Monitoring ### Lone Worker Legislation & Policy for South Australia To Track or not to Track, that is the Lone Worker QuestionOk Alones safety monitoring app protects employees and lone workers. It improves worker safety monitoring with location tracking, real-time emergency alerts and lone worker features for staff on a user-friendly smartphone app. A Lone Worker Monitoring System adds to the safety of your workers --- ## Drivers are Benefitting from Lone Worker Safety Apps *March 8, 2023 · Ok Alone* Advances in technology are bringing real benefits to drivers and the logistics teams that support them. How do we know this? We hear it from our clients! They tell us how much easier it is to accurately monitor workers with our flexible lone worker safety system. Lone worker safety app GPS has been the go-to location monitoring tool for years and many of our transport customers rely on Ok Alones lone worker safety app. Drivers can download the app to their iPhone, Android mobile and its a cinch to check in. With no extra hardware to buy, cost conscious businesses love the app, and because its so easy to use and not at all intrusive, drivers also prefer this method of worker check in. There has been a backlash against certain monitoring systems because of privacy issues, nobody wants a camera pointed at them every hour of their working day, but safety is still vitally important. Its easy to forget knowing someones location both helps ensure a quick and effective rescue, and can demonstrate you are doing the job you are suppose to do, which is great for everyone. Know your staff are safe at all times with Ok Alone With Ok Alones monitoring system, your lone worker safety policy will be satisfied and your workers will be happy to comply with check in procedures because they are quick and respectful of their personal privacy. If you want your staff to feel like you value them and their safety, without resorting to invasive monitoring methods, give our free trial a shot. Did we mention how affordable our lone worker safety system is? For $5.00/4.00 per month per worker (or less), you can have the best worker monitoring system on the market today. www.okaloneworker.com 5 Reasons to Attend Security Canada Expo 2016 in TorontoVolunteers Need Safety Monitoring Lone worker safety systems More on Lone Worker AppsKeep Moving with Man Down on our Lone Worker AppThere are around 8 million lone workers in the U.K. Lone workers can be found in many different ... Does panic button software keep office workers safer?Yes! Panic button software can significantly contribute to keeping office workers safer. A ... Can a task bar help button on your computer help in emergencies?When you have employees working on their own it is important to have an employee safety monitoring ... Lone Worker App for Windows from Ok AloneOur lone worker app is available on Windows through the Microsoft App store. The lone worker app is ... --- ## How a Lone Worker App Protects Workers in High-Risk SituationsHow can a Lone Worker App Protect Your People in High-Risk Situations? *March 8, 2023 · Ok Alone* Lone workers face greater risks than those who have co-workers nearby. Without support they may be unable to get immediate assistance in case of injury, incapacity or another type of emergency situation. Why do I need a lone worker app? A work alone safety device, such as a lone worker app, ensures employees have a direct line to help. But what happens when workers face unexpected situations that place them at even greater risk?A healthcare worker may need to care for an aggressive, volatile patient A lab worker may need to work after hours with hazardous equipment or chemicals A truck driver or courier may need to drive on an isolated stretch of road in treacherous weather conditionsEven if no obvious risk is present, sometimes people on their own feel a real sense of unease about going into a situation. They want a little boost of protection to help them carry on with their jobs. Or perhaps they just want to take charge and make an important decision regarding their own safety. How can lone workers get more control? For most people, lone worker safety policies are agreed on once, and then left to run. Schedules, check-in frequencies, and hazard assessments just seem to happen in the background without a lot of additional input from the lone worker. In high-risk situations however, giving your team a lone worker app is not just about providing additional assurance that help is readily available. On one level, its about giving them control of their environment and managing the risks associated with it. Sometimes this comes down to training, experience, and risk management. Equally, its also about giving workers control of their own emergency response. High-risk features act as a lone worker safety line If a worker ever finds them self in a scenario like one of those mentioned earlier, they need the power to take control and switch on the high-risk safety features of a professional grade lone worker app. With a well designed lone worker solution, they can safeguard themselves by checking in before going into a high risk situation, sending a short message or voicemail to their monitor explaining exactly what is about to happen and then shortening their next check-in time to something appropriate for the situation. Anything from 10 minutes to an hour usually does the trick. Of course, should a worker need immediate assistance, the safety app must let them send an instant call for help. What happens if a lone worker misses a check-in or calls for help? If a worker fails to check in or uses the help button, their monitor(s) need to be notified immediately. Good systems let you do this in a number of ways. For example, monitors can be notified online, with a text message, WhatsApp, an email, by phone, or any combination, whatever works best for them. Once the monitor is notified, they can carry out the appropriate escalation procedure to resolve the situation as quickly and safely as possible. If you're looking to give your team this kind of assurance, why not explore these features ” and more ” with Ok Alones free 7-day trial. Most people are up and running in 10 minutes or less and there's no obligation or credit card information required. Curious about how much it will cost you? Try our pricing calculator to find out Ok Alone pricing proposal www.okaloneworker.com Lone Working with Amazon Alexa & Echo Devices from Ok AloneTo Track or not to Track, that is the Lone Worker Question Cloud-based Dashboard for Lone Worker Monitoring How Desktop Panic Buttons Work What Artificial Intelligence thinks of Ok Alone --- ## Lone Worker Protection *March 8, 2023 · Ok Alone Lone worker protection is a particular concern to many employers. This is especially relevant to resource extraction industries (mining, energy, forestry) along with trucking, surveying and home health care providers, where employees are at a higher risk of accident or incident when working alone. What do you, as an employer, need to consider when implementing a system for lone worker protection?* Dynamics affecting lone worker protection strategies:The time factor how long will your employee be alone and is it necessary for them to be alone at all? Can they work with a partner, or during business hours? What time of the day will they be alone and how long will it take them to complete the job? The travel factor will your lone worker be travelling to a remote destination or are they constantly on the road (truckers and salespeople)? Do they need emergency supplies like food, drinking water and a first aid kit? Will they be able to carry emergency supplies if they must leave the vehicle? For how long will they need to leave the vehicle? The nature of the work is it a high risk job and if so, is the employee adequately trained to handle emergency procedures? What sort of equipment are they using and are they properly trained to use it? Are fatigue or weather conditions factors, and has the lone worker been counselled on how to handle them? Communications it is essential that your lone worker can check in with someone at regular intervals to report their safety and any incidents. The best possible way to ensure lone worker protection is by providing them with the best communication options available. You can achieve this by partnering with Ok Alone, we offer a modern, comprehensive and proven system to ensure worker protection. Our smartphone application even enables you to see a map online that shows where your worker is and has been since the start of their shift. Get the best lone worker protection system from Ok Alone We can help you keep your staff safe with our easy to implement and simple to use lone worker monitoring system. Cost conscious businesses don't need to skimp on safety. Ok Alones monthly subscription starts at just $5.00/4.00 per month per employee. With no set-up fees or long term contracts to sign, we can get your lone worker protection service up and running quickly. Ask us about a free trial. www.okaloneworker.com Lone Worker SafetyIs your Team Prepared? Lone Worker Safety System Recent Posts about Ok AloneLone Worker App for Windows from Ok Alone OK Alone Lone Worker App: economical alternative to Blackline Safety How lone worker alerts play out in real life Lone Worker Policy Ok Alone introduces the Lone Worker Safety Awards Health Care Planned Inspectional Initiatives from WorksafeBC --- ## Lone worker safety for snow plow drivers. 5 hot tipsWinter has arrived. Snowplow drivers need lone worker safety too *March 8, 2023 · Ok Alone* Some people need to get to work, regardless of weather conditions doctors, nurses, medical professionals, first responders. Snowplow drivers work at all hours to make this possible. Some start at 4 am, some at midnight. Conditions get slippery, black ice is a menace, and fatigue can easily set in. When your snowplow driver is out on the road, you want to ensure they return home to their loves ones. By thinking about lone worker safety and investing in a lone worker monitoring system, you can do this. Here are 5 lone worker safety tips for municipal snowplow drivers:Dress in layers to adjust to changing temperatures, wearing warm waterproof/resistant clothing. Cover your head when going outside. Up to 40% of body heat can be lost when the head is exposed. Avoid exhaustion or fatigue. Energy is needed to keep muscles warm and the brain alert. Take breaks regularly. Driving in the snow for several hours had be tiring and the white landscape can have a hypnotic effect on drivers. Before heading out on the road, check that all equipment is working properly: defroster, flares, spreader, windshield wipers etc. Check in regularly to let your office know you are okay. Invest in OK Alone for Easy-to-Use, No-Fuss Lone Worker Safety Systems It makes good business sense to invest in lone worker monitoring that is affordable and easy to implement and use. Ok Alone has developed (and continues to refine) a safety system using simple technology that gives optimal lone worker protection for municipalities. It is customizable to your requirements and easy to alter according to your changing needs. No special hardware is needed, simply register with Ok Alone and have your drivers install the Ok Alone lone worker app on their cell phones. Still not ready to invest? How about a free trial? www.okaloneworker.com Work safety tips for cold weather Lone worker safety systemsTop 5 Features of a Lone Worker App Recent Posts about Ok AloneOk Alone has Partnered with what3words to Help Protect Lone Workers Man Down Injury Statistics 2017-18 Using Focus Groups to Gather Risk Information for a Lone Worker Policy Is your Business Vulnerable to a Cyber Attack? Why Municipalities Need a Lone Worker App Discover how to find Hidden Hazards at Work and Keep your Team Safe Lone Worker Legislation & Policy for the UK --- ## Does your team really need a lone worker safety system? *March 8, 2023 · Ok Alone* Manufacturing industry and factory workers can be exposed to a wide range of dangerous situations and risks to their safety increase when they are working alone. Performing equipment maintenance, handling raw or in-process materials, and using heavy machinery are just some of the everyday tasks where a lone worker safety system could ensure that you and your co-workers go home safely at the end of a shift. OK Alone offers lone worker monitoring that's so easy to implement and use that it actually gets used you don't need extensive team training, it only takes a few minutes to learn. Don't just take our word for it let our free trial show you. Long shifts at the factory can lead to worker inattention, and even experienced staff can become complacent, leading to injury or even fatal accidents. With a safety monitoring system like OK Alone offers, you can decide how often lone workers should check in and what happens if they don't. A well thought out escalation procedure can save lives. ### These Industries Are Already Benefitting from Advanced Lone Worker Safety Systems The OK Alone lone worker protection system is keeping workers safe in the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand and Canada in these industries:Manufacturing Transportation Real Estate Engineering Health Services Surveying Construction Energy, and RetailWith no long term contracts and a basic subscription that protects up to five workers, our lone worker safety system will keep you and your team safe at work. Contact us to learn more. www.okaloneworker.com The latest in lone worker safety technology at IFSEC 2016How to Manage Lone Worker Safety Cloud-based Dashboard for Lone Worker Monitoring How Desktop Panic Buttons Work What Artificial Intelligence thinks of Ok Alone --- ## Simple safety advice for women driving alone *March 8, 2023 · Ok Alone* The nightly news recently reported there are more people employed as drivers in Canada than any other job. Many of those drivers are women, and they are driving alone. Work alone is often thought about as a separate issue, but it is often coupled by assault and violence. As a result, we've compiled a list of simple things you can do to help avoid becoming a victim of violence and aggravation while driving alone on company business. While this list is intended primarily for women drivers, many of the points are equally suited to male drivers too. So next time you are driving aloneThink about where and how you park your vehicle. When possible, park near the exit in a car park, or park in a well-lit area if it will be dark when you return. Point your vehicle in the direction you'll want to leave so that you can quickly drive away if necessary. Always approach your car with the key in your hand. Always check the back seat of your car before getting in. Carry a loud alarm, preferably a torch alarm, handy in your pocket. Never leave anything that is (or appears to be) valuable on display this may include a jacket, a box or a bag, etc. If you must leave them, lock them out of sight, such as in the boot. Do not respond to other peoples bad or aggressive driving several fights have started this way. If you have a minor accident, be aware of the risks in getting out of your vehicle, particularly if the other person is showing signs of anger. Open the window a crack and make the other person come to you. Keep your temper and try to persuade them to keep theirs. Keep your doors locked and your windows up when in any built up area. Always lock your doors while paying for fuel especially at a large petrol station. Carry a map so you do not have to stop to ask directions (even if you have Sat Nav, it can fail). If (you think) someone is following you, do not lead them to your house. Instead, drive to a crowded place or to a police station. Make sure your car is in good working order (keep it serviced and maintained) with enough fuel for the journey. Consider the need for carrying spare fuel so that you do not get stranded. If your car starts to splutter or sounds unhealthy, drive to a garage or to the nearest telephone on the motorway. Do not limp on until it dies (potentially) in the middle of nowhere. If you do break down, try to decide whether to lock yourself in and wait for help. If you do breakdown on a motorway, remember that the hard shoulder is a dangerous place. You're more likely to be injured sitting in your car than attacked sitting at the top of the bank waiting for your breakdown service. If, as a woman driver, you have broken down and a man approaches offering to help, wind your window down a crack and politely say Thank you, my husband is on his way. If someone tries to flag you down, don't stop, but report the incident to the police in case its a genuine emergency. Try to be as anonymous as possible with your car. Don't provide a potential rapist with an introduction line by putting stickers all over the car. Let people know where you're going and what time you expect to arrive, then if you don't arrive they will come looking for you. Some car alarms can be fitted with a personal attack button.””””””””- This article was adapted from a blog written by Michael Ellerby of LRB Consulting Ltd based in Loughborough, England and used with permission. Established in 2000, LRB Consulting provides Health and Safety Solutions. Its an independent, professional and friendly health and safety consultancy led by Michael Ellerby. Michael is a highly respected Chartered Safety Practitioner as well as being a Chartered Chemist, and listed on the Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register OSHCR. He is a widely experienced Health & Safety Consultant and has worked for many years in this field, both as a consultant in industry and alongside his consultancy team. www.okaloneworker.com A collaborative approach to safety strategy in Canadian logisticsLone Working Canadian Security Guards Need Help Recent Posts about Ok AloneGet grouping Taking group actions with Ok Alone Keep Moving with Man Down on our Lone Worker App How does health and safety fit with working alone? How International Driving Laws affect Lone Workers Legislation & Policy for Lone Workers in Alberta Who is a Lone Worker? What is the meaning of Lone Worker? Why Canadas Agricultural Lone Workers need Protecting --- ## The Most Common Workplace Safety Policy Violations *March 8, 2023 · Ok Alone* The transport and logistics industry employs workers in a diverse range of occupations: truck drivers, couriers and postal delivery drivers and warehouse workers, to name a few. Each of these occupations carries a relatively high risk of accident or injury, and its challenging for employers to find ways to keep staff safe on the job. Even tracking safety violations is difficult, because these workers are often working with little or no direct supervision and they may be reluctant to report incidents they deem minor, or those that may have occurred due to their own inattention. Common workplace safety violations in transport and logistics that can result in injury or fatality include:Musculoskeletal strains and sprains Trip and fall accidents Being struck by a moving object Vehicle and mechanical accidents Falling from heightsHow can you, as an employer, promote workplace safety for transport and logistics industry workers? Develop a lone worker safety policy that addresses the specific risks faced by your staff and ensure that they receive training in how to safeguard against common hazards and respond to incidents as they occur. An important aspect of your policy should be a lone worker monitoring system that is customisable to your requirements, uncomplicated for workers to use and affordable. With advances in technology, its easier than ever to monitor and respond to workers experiencing difficulties, wherever they may be. Our lone worker safety monitoring system allows you to keep you in touch with staff in the depths of the warehouse, in the city centre or while they are travelling cross-country. Know your staff are safe at all times with Ok Alone Establish lone worker check-in procedures as part of your safety policy with Ok Alone, you can vary the frequency of check ins (from 5 mins to 24 hours) to suit each worker and the task they are performing on that particular day. This level of responsiveness helps to improve incident outcomes and keeps safety top of mind for your valued staff. Contact us to learn more about how Ok Alone can help you keep your transport and logistics industry workers safe on the job. www.okaloneworker.com 5 tips for Managing Workplace Stress Lone worker Safety SystemLone Worker Monitoring Lone Worker Legislation Our response to the Worksmarter's Top five lone worker apps Article --- ## How to Recognise and Avoid Aggressive Driving *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* There are a lot of lone workers who drive as part of their job. It is human nature to develop bad habits, do things the easy way and become possessive towards things we see as our own. Over 50% of the five million yearly car crashes in the United States are caused by aggressive drivers, with speeding being the most prevalent contributor to this statistic. (TeenSafe, 2018) Aggressive Driving Statistics for the U.S: 66% of traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving. (SafeMotorist.com, 2019)37% of aggressive driving incidents involve a firearm. (SafeMotorist.com, 2019)Male and younger drivers ages 19-39 were significantly more likely to engage in aggressive behaviours. (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 2016)Half of the drivers who are on the receiving end of aggressive behaviour, such as horn honking, a rude gesture, or tailgating admit to responding with aggressive behaviour themselves. (SafeMotorist.com, 2019)2% of drivers admit to trying to run an aggressor off the road at least once. (SafeMotorist.com, 2019)In 2014, 0.7% of drivers admitted to regularly blocking other vehicles from changing lanes.0.3% of drivers admitted to regularly cutting off other vehicles deliberately.0.1% of drivers admitted to regularly bumping or ramming other vehicles intentionally. (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 2016) ### How to Avoid Aggressive Drivers Learn to recognise aggressive driving behaviours by knowing what these behaviours look like. Knowing this will help you quickly identify vehicles that are being driven dangerously. Use your mirrors and peripheral vision to actively monitor the area around your vehicle. When you see a vehicle being driven aggressively make a mental note of the vehicle and its position. Stay alert to the likelihood that driver may create hazards that you'll need to deal with. When you see an aggressive driver, make your avoidance plan. Most often, the best solution is to let them go ahead. Find a safe place, adjust your lane position a little so they can see the way past you is clear. You may want to gently reduce your speed to encourage them to pass. If an aggressive driver enters your safe driving zone (the area around your car) and you're feeling threatened, you may want to find a safe place to pull over and let that driver get well ahead of you. If you're experiencing numerous aggressive drivers on your usual route, you can avoid them by going a different way. ### How to Avoid Becoming an Aggressive Driver Make a plan and give yourself enough time to get where you are going. Not knowing where you're going or not having enough time to get there are among the most common reasons for aggressive driving behaviours. Avoid those traps: think about the route you're going to take and make a trip plan with a realistic schedule. Make adjustments when trips don't proceed exactly as planned. Don't take your problems and frustrations with you into the car. Getting behind the wheel when you're upset, frustrated or angry can be an invitation to poor driving behaviours. Don't let your emotional state be a negative influence on how you drive. If you're driving and you feel your stress level creeping up, turn on some relaxing music, open a window or practice a gentle breathing technique. Pull over and take a break, drink some water and stretch your legs. Think about your own driving. Check how closely you follow the vehicle in front of you, and how much space you leave when you pass a vehicle. Be honest and fix any poor driving habits you notice. ### How to Be a Safe Driver Having a safety zone of at least two seconds between your car and the next vehicle is recommended during normal driving conditions. Bad weather, traffic conditions, and personal preferences could all require the safety zone to be larger. To gauge an adequate amount of space while driving on the motorway (freeway), first choose a stationary object on the side of the road. As the vehicle in front of you passes that object, begin counting: one one-thousand, two one-thousand. If you pass the stationary object before you finish saying two one-thousand your safety zone is less than two seconds and is therefore too small. Other drivers will often perceive your safety zone as an opportunity to jump in front of you, temporarily removing your safety zone. The potential anger at being cut off can quickly escalate into road rage and irrational, dangerous driving decisions. However, it is best to keep your cool and develop a habit of immediately re-establishing your safety zone. On average, it only takes two seconds to re-establish a safety zone. That means, even if you get cut off thirty times in a day, you will have invested only one additional minute in your safety. ### Plan Ahead By looking farther along the road you will see the situation sooner, have more time to process the information, and ultimately, more time to react. As you drive, you should constantly be thinking of what you would do if an incident happened in front of you. Train yourself to look for escape routes everywhere and soon it will become an automatic part of your driving technique. This technique will help to prevent you from either causing a rear-end collision with a vehicle in front of you or sustaining one from a vehicle behind you. It is important to look for an escape route or paths you can take to avoid an incident, in every type of driving condition. While your safety zone gives you the opportunity to react on the road, escape routes give you options. Being aware of what is going on around you and being able to adapt to different situations will improve your driving. Making sure you keep a sensible distance between your vehicle and the next, as well as staying calm in aggravating situations will help ensure you get home safe. 1 & 2 https://driving-tests.org/driving-statistics/ This is a fantastic resource full of facts about all things vehicular 3 https://roadsafetyatwork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Tailgate-Meeting-Guide-Aggressive-Driving-FINAL-Jul-8-20.pdf 4 https://roadsafetyatwork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Tailgate-Meeting-Guide-Aggressive-Driving-FINAL-Jul-8-20.pdf 5 https://www.fleetmanagementweekly.com/establish-maintain-safety-zones-avoid-rear-end-collisions/ www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Is your Business Vulnerable to a Cyber Attack?Lone Worker Protection for Staff and Students in American Universities Recent Posts about Ok AloneMassachusetts Safer Hotels for Workers Act Lone Worker Check In Iridium GO! works with Ok Alone Ok Alone App Settings for Android 9 CSSE 2016 Lone worker safety systems Is your Team Prepared? Lone Worker Safety System Understanding Canadian Work Alone Monitoring Legislation --- ## Dos and Donts to keep Lone Working Drivers Safe *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* The most recent statistics show that there are millions of people employed as goods vehicle drivers in North America and Britain: 500,000 in the UK , 335,000 in Canada and 3,445,500 across the US . Transport and logistics personnel are exposed to different kinds of risks when alone on the road or when loading and unloading the vehicle. If you are a lone worker, there are simple dos and donts to follow that will help keep you safe. Do: If you are a lone worker make sure you: Check in at the start of your shift so management know you are workingHave a monitor (either at work or a call centre) who is contacted if you get into troubleHave a fully charged phone battery and a map function to where you are goingHave a lone worker safety solution updated with the latest software version Don't: If you are a lone worker make sure you don't: Do something you don't feel comfortable with or haven't been trained to doUse the wrong equipment for a job because it is easier than going to get the right onesLeave your phone in your vehicle, carry it with youDeviate from your schedule without informing your supervisor The most important rule to follow for lone workers, and the best way to keep drivers safe, is to give them a lone worker safety solution! These allow drivers to have peace of mind that if anything goes wrong, someone will know and can send help. The easiest way to do this is download an app for your smartphone that allows you to keep in touch with your work. Safety monitoring smartphone apps are one of the most affordable, yet most effective, safety monitoring solutions available. ### Lone Worker Safety App The purpose of a lone worker app is to ensure all workers go home safely at the end of each shift. The solutions need to connect drivers with a supervisor who monitors their well-being. The supervisor could be a member of the same company, dispatch or staff in a call centre. There are many different solutions available for drivers. Some are heavy, cumbersome devices they are required to carry around. Some allow drivers to keep in touch by checking in or requesting immediate help in an emergency. However, not all solutions are as simple and convenient as a smartphone app. Most drivers are going to have their own phone and the vast majority of those will be a smartphone. Using an app means companies don't need to pay for expensive hardware, so no large outlay before the system has been introduced. There won't be time lost training drivers to use a complicated piece of hardware, as lone worker apps can be as simple as one button confirmation. It is always a good idea to shop around when looking for a new system and try the product on a free trial before rolling it out across a workforce. 1 https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/datasets/aps210/reports/employment-by-status-and-occupation?compare=K02000001 2 https://truckinghr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/THRC-LMI-snapshot-June-2021.pdf 3 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/heavy-and-tractor-trailer-truck-drivers.htm 4 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/delivery-truck-drivers-and-driver-sales-workers.htm www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Drive Mode For Even Safer Lone Worker Check InsWhat do people mean when they say Lone Worker in the Logistics industry? Recent Posts about Ok AloneLone Worker Legislation & Policy for Northern Territories Health Care Planned Inspectional Initiatives from WorksafeBC Desktop/Web App for Lone Workers Drive Mode For Even Safer Lone Worker Check Ins Use Siri to Check in Hands Free Why your Technicians need an HVAC Safety App Why Ok Alone is your Lone Worker Solution --- ## Drive Mode For Even Safer Lone Worker Check Ins *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* Drive Mode is the latest feature developed by Ok Alone for their lone worker solution. The Drive Mode feature was designed specifically to be used by logistics workers and drivers as part of the OK Alone system. ### Drivers Need Safer Options Some drivers use the Ok Alone app as their safety solution for lone worker monitoring. These drivers use the system to check in and say they are safe throughout their shifts. However, it is not safe to take their hands off the wheel whilst driving to manually check in and not all drivers have phones with voice capability to check in verbally. Professional drivers wanted an option to check in if the vehicle was in motion for the system to automatically acknowledge the vehicle is moving so therefore, the driver is fine, and it checks them in. ### Motion Detection The feature uses data from both GPS tracking and OK Alone combined to register whether a vehicle is in motion when a check in is due. The system can then automatically check the driver in and show they are safe without the driver having to take their focus off driving. Much like the man down and high risk features, this feature is activated on the phone itself by the worker. This gives them control over when to activate it during a shift and when it isn't needed. The beauty of this feature is that it makes safety even safer! The safety of checking in with a supervisor throughout a shift and not having to touch the phone or divert concentration from the road whilst driving. www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Learn about Safety for the UKs Electrician Lone WorkersDos and Donts to keep Lone Working Drivers Safe Recent Posts about Ok AloneLone Worker Legislation & Policy for New Zealand Ok Alone Saves Lone Workers Life! How to Manage Lone Worker Safety 7 Reasons to Choose Ok Alone Top 10 Questions about Ok Alone High-Risk Situations Californias heat-related illness regulations Reminder Alerts from Ok Alone Lower your costs with COR Certificate of Recognition Chemicals in the Workplace Soup Theory for Laboratory Lone Working --- ## How International Driving Laws affect Lone Workers *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* Many people are lone workers who drive for work and for them their vehicle is their office. However, to keep people safe, new legislation is being introduced all over the world to restrict the use of mobile phones whilst driving. See below to find out how to comply with the laws where you work. Map supplied by Wikipedia ### Driving Laws affecting Lone Workers in Australia Australia has a total ban on all hand-held use of a cell phone, including texting, while driving or if the vehicle is stationary but not parked. The law does not apply if the phone is in a secured fixed mount that is positioned in such a way that the driver does not have to take their eyes off the road. A hands-free kit must be used and must make the operation of the telephone completely voice-activated, and the driver may not touch the phone at any point. ### Driving Laws affecting Lone Workers in New Zealand New Zealand has a total ban on texting and hand-held use of a mobile phone while driving. In 2009, the New Zealand Government introduced new clauses to its Land Transport (Road User) Rule, which ban any use of mobile phones while driving, except for emergency calling to 111 if it is unsafe to stop the vehicle. ### Driving Laws affecting Lone Workers in Germany Any use of a mobile phone is forbidden as long as the vehicles engine is running. Drivers are allowed to use hand-free devices, provided that they do not become distracted. ### Driving Laws affecting Lone Workers in the United Kingdom In the United Kingdom any use of a hand-held mobile phone or similar device while driving, or supervising a learner driver, is illegal. This includes when stopped at traffic lights. The only exceptions are emergency calls to 999 or 112. ### Driving Laws affecting Lone Workers in the the United States 20 states in the United States ban the use of hand-held mobile phones whilst driving and 48 states ban text messaging. No state bans the total use of mobile phones, however 38 states have a total ban of phone use for teen and new drivers. How can I stay within the law? Luckily for people who drive for work there are plenty of apps that use voice commands. One such app is the Ok Alone lone worker app. This app lets you check in with your work place or request help without having to touch your phone. Ok Alone are the first lone worker system to use hands free voice commands to ensure you're compliant with the new laws and help keep you focussed on the road. The app is connected to a cloud-based dashboard system that allows workers to stay in touch with their supervisors throughout their shift and let them know if there are any problems. 1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texting_while_driving#/media/File:Legality_of_phone_use_whilst_driving_worldmap_c.2019.png 2, 3, 4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texting_while_driving 5 https://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/cellular-phone-use-and-texting-while-driving-laws.aspx www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Send an SMS to all Lone WorkersAs a Lone Worker can I use my phone whilst driving in Canada? --- ## 7 Important Features of a Lone Worker App for Drivers *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* What are the best features to have in your lone worker app? With so many people driving for work or doing jobs where they are away from their colleagues, a lot of lone worker solutions have sprung up. How do you know which one is best for you and your needs? Our team at Ok Alone have put together a list of the key features you need to ensure your lone worker safety! ### 1. Check In Notifications Great apps have a timed count down system that notifies you when you need to check in with your supervisor or dispatcher. Notifications and a notification tone should pop up on your Android or iPhone screen reminding you to tap the app and let your supervisor know you are all right. ### 2. GPS Location Monitoring Make sure the lone worker app you choose has GPS monitoring that can give a real time location in an emergency. The app should also be mobile (not installed in the vehicles cab) and have the capability to monitor your driver when they are away from their vehicle. ### 3. High Risk Check in It is important to be able to change the time between check ins if you are going into a situation you deem high risk. Lone worker apps should allow you to select the frequency of your check in, changing from 2 hours on a normal day to potentially every 10 minutes in a high risk situation such as unloading in a secluded area. ### 4. Background Mode Choose a Lone worker app that doesn't need to be open to work. The best apps feature background mode where the solution is running without it having to be open on your screen. ### 5. Low Battery Usage An app that drains the charge on your battery is not going to help keep you safe! In order to have your phone as a life line throughout your shift, you need to choose a lone worker app where running it won't mean running down your battery too. ### 6. Man Down (Worker Down) Function Drivers need to use a lone worker app with the Man Down (Worker Down) function that notifies a workers monitor if there has been no movement within a set amount of time (3 minutes 1 hour, time set by the worker). This feature offers lone working drivers an additional level of security when they are out and about away from the vehicle as it contacts a supervisor directly. ### 7. Hands Free and Drive Mode The latest lone worker apps provide Siri or Google Assistant shortcuts so you can use your voice to update your status wherever you are and whatever you're doing. Lone workers with iOS12/13 or an Android phone can start a shift, check in or get help all by using only their voice, completely hands free. Another option for drivers is to use Drive Mode. Drive Mode inputs data from GPS or vehicle trackers that show whether the vehicle is in motion when a check in is due. If the vehicle is moving, the system automatically checks the driver in without them having to use voice commands or physically touch their phone. Ok Alone offers lone working drivers all of these features and more to help drivers stay safe while out on shift. Transporting goods makes drivers vulnerable to robbery and hijackings when they are loading, unloading, parking overnight or just driving their vehicle. Having a way to immediately alert someone if they are in distress, injured or facing a threatening situation gives drivers a sense of security that someone can send help when they really need it. Stacey ManclarkAs an expert in lone worker content management, I possess an extensive knowledge base and experience in the area of lone working and safety monitoring. My expertise in this field encompasses a wide range of areas, including risk assessment, training, communication, and technology. I have a deep understanding of the unique risks associated with lone workers and have researched and written many projects and articles to educate people in how to mitigate these risks. www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ What do people mean when they say Lone Worker in the Logistics industry?Why Drivers need a Lone Worker Safety Monitoring Solution Recent Posts about Ok AloneHigh Risk Check-ins from Ok Alone Lone Worker Safety Award Rankings for Companies and Lone Workers Lone Working Jobs in Ireland How Municipalities use Ok Alone How workplace culture shapes your working alone safety policy How Lone Workers Use Ok Alone to Stay Safe Five Ways to Evaluate your Lone Worker App --- ## As a Lone Worker can I use my phone whilst driving in Canada? *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* With the exception of Nunavut, all Canadian Provinces and territories have banned talking on hand-held phones and texting while driving which will certainly affect lone workers. There are additional regulations on the use of electronic devices like GPS or satnav that should be looked at on a province by province basis. To read a comprehensive list of the current regulations in Canada visit https://www.canadadrives.ca/blog/tips/distracted-driving-laws-penalties-canada How do I stay within the law? Luckily for people who drive for work there are plenty of apps that use voice commands. One such app is the Ok Alone lone worker app. This app lets you check in with your work place or request help without having to touch your phone. Ok Alone are the first lone worker system to use voice commands to ensure you're compliant with the law and help keep you focussed on the road. The app is connected to a cloud-based dashboard system that allows workers to stay in touch with their supervisors throughout their shift and let them know if there are any problems. www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ How International Driving Laws affect Lone WorkersWhy Ok Alone is your Lone Worker Solution --- ## Using your Lone Worker App when Driving in the US *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* Lone workers need protection no matter where they are, and this includes in a vehicle. It seems that the topic of using a phone or lone worker app whist driving is quite a contentious one. While some people may need to use their phone for driving, especially if they are a lone worker, you cannot deny the fact that being distracted by a phone is a huge factor in many motor vehicle accidents. Are Phones Dangerous to use while Driving? The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use whilst driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year and 1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving. These are startling statistics that show why phones should not be used whilst driving. Need more evidence on why you should use handsfree? In March 2017, in Concan, Texas, 13 people travelling in their church bus were killed when 20 year old Jack Young crossed the centre line in his pickup truck and collided with them. Young, had been recorded on video swerving across lanes by other motorists and admitted to texting while driving, causing the crash. What are the Current Laws? Hand-held cell phone use ban: 20 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving. All cell phone ban: No state bans all cell phone use for all drivers, but 38 states and D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice or teen drivers, and 21 states and D.C. prohibit any cell phone use for school bus drivers. Text messaging ban: 48 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. Missouri prohibits text messaging by novice or teen drivers. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 2019) Click this link to see the laws for all states https://www.okaloneworker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/DistractedDrivingLawChart_Nov19_0.pdf What are the alternatives for lone workers needing hands free? The obvious alternative is not using your phone whilst driving. Put it on silent or keep it in a bag or the glove box where you won't be tempted to use it. However, some people, such as those working alone need to use their phones for work while driving, so what should they do? Having a phone that has a hands free option is the best choice for using a phone whilst driving. A phone that can be voice activated and follow verbal commands is the safest way to proceed. Ok Alone can help with Handsfree features Many different apps can also be used hands free to encourage safer driving. The latest version of the Ok Alone lone worker app provides Siri and Google Assistant shortcuts so you can use your voice to update your Ok Alone status wherever you are and whatever you're doing. Any lone worker with an iPhone or Android phone and Ok Alone can now easily use Siri and Google Assistant to start a shift, check in or get help all by using their voice, completely hands free. Why put yourself and others in danger when the technology exists that can help keep you safe? 1 https://www.edgarsnyder.com/car-accident/cause-of-accident/cell-phone/cell-phone-statistics.html 2 https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Witness-driver-who-hit-church-bus-was-texting-11041354.php#photo-12643794 3 https://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/cellular-phone-use-and-texting-while-driving-laws.aspx www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Worker Down not Man DownSend an SMS to all Lone Workers Lone Worker App & Safety Monitoring available in French - Ok Alone --- ## Monitor driver safety away from the vehicle *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* A lot of transportation and logistics companies have vehicle trackers on their fleets, to keep their products safe. This would also increase the safety of the driver. Well, at least if they are in the vehicle. But what if they're not? Transport and logistics personnel are exposed to many different risks when alone on the road or when loading and unloading their vehicle. Transporting goods while alone means drivers are vulnerable to robbery and hijackings when loading, unloading, parking overnight or just driving their vehicle. So, what if drivers are forced out of the relative safety of their vehicle? Reliable lone worker solution People who drive for work need to have the necessary equipment to keep not just their cargo safe, but themselves safe too. Drivers need a lone worker solution, a solution that shows the real time location of the driver AND the vehicle, even if they are miles apart. They should both be shown on a dashboard map as separate markers so you can clearly see when the driver is away from the vehicle. An App based lone worker monitoring system is run through a drivers phone, it is therefore carried on the drivers body and not restricted to the vehicles movements. This allows companies to monitor a drivers safety while they are away from their vehicle. See the location of both your vehicle and your driver throughout a delivery. The added security this offers a company allows them to know where their cargo is and that their driver is safe. For the driver, it means having a way to immediately alert someone if they are in distress, injured or facing a threatening situation. Giving drivers a sense of security that someone can send help when they really need it. www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Why Drivers need a Lone Worker Safety Monitoring SolutionChoose a Lone Worker App with Wide Device Capability Recent Posts about Ok AloneLone worker alarms and escalation procedures Ok Alone Worker I have GPS, What else do I need? An app for my lone workers? Lone Worker Protection Uncover Hidden Hazards in the Workplace Canadian Privacy Laws Learn about Safety for the UKs Electrician Lone Workers The Lone Worker App that improves Workforce Safety and Monitoring Will I have to Self-isolate or self-quarantine? Using Ok Alones charts to coach your team on safety --- ## Why Drivers need a Lone Worker Safety Monitoring Solution *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* The definition of a lone worker is when work is done in a location where the employee can't physically see or be seen by another person or talk to or be heard by another person. This definition encompasses almost all drivers. How can a lone worker solution help drivers? ### Hands Free Voice Commands and Drive Mode Sometimes a driver won't be able to check in when their time is due. They should have both hands on the wheel, if driving, and therefore are unable to tap their app. Knowing this, Ok Alone developed their hands free technology, so lone workers can check in using only their voice. It allows workers to check in without having to touch their phone, which means their eyes don't leave the road, their hands stay on the wheel and they don't risk causing an accident or getting a ticket for using a phone whist driving! Lone workers with an iPhone or an Android phone have the option to programme voice commands that can be spoken to start shift, check in, get help or log out at the end of a shift. This adds an additional level of safety for drivers who might still need to communicate with others. Another option for drivers is to use Drive Mode. Drive Mode inputs data from GPS or vehicle trackers that show whether the vehicle is in motion when a check in is due. If the vehicle is moving, the system automatically checks the driver in without them having to use voice commands or physically touch their phone. ### Monitor the Driver Away from the Vehicle An App based lone worker monitoring system is run through a drivers phone, it is therefore carried on the drivers body and not restricted to the vehicles movements. This allows companies to monitor a drivers safety while they are away from their vehicle. Ok Alones solution can be integrated with existing platforms to show the real time location of the vehicle AND the real time location of the driver. ### Timed Check Ins and High Risk Lone working drivers need a system that has a timer counting down to a check in. A system that knows when their check in is due and reminds them if they forget to check in on time. It needs to emit a loud alarm to remind them to get their phone out and let a supervisor/dispatch know they are ok. If they don't want an alarm, drivers could choose to be sent an SMS or receive a phone call. It is important drivers are able to change the time between check ins if they are going into a situation they deem high risk. A good lone worker app should allow drivers to select the frequency of their check in, changing from 2 hours on a normal day to potentially every 10 minutes in a high risk situation. ### Man (Worker) Down Drivers should have a Man Down alarm. The Man Down (Worker Down) function in a lone worker system notifies a workers monitor if there has been no movement within a set amount of time (3 minutes 1 hour, time set by the worker). If no movement is detected the phone will sound an alarm alerting the worker that there has been no movement. If there is no response from the driver to the alert it will be escalated to an allocated monitor and they will contact the driver. If there continues to be no response, then an escalation procedure will be followed to ensure the driver is reached. A helpful reminder/alarm sent to the driver first when the system detects no movement, means there will be less false alarms sent to the monitor or dispatch. ### Call for Help If a driver finds themselves in a situation where they need immediate assistance, they can send a help request from the lone worker solution on their phone. Drivers can:tap help on the app screen ask out loud for help using whatever script they have set up on their phones voice commands send an SMS with their worker ID number and the word help call their lone worker solutions phone number and select help from the options. Any of these methods will send an alert immediately to their monitor letting them know they require urgent assistance and giving their last known GPS location. Transport and logistics personnel are exposed to different kinds of risks when alone on the road or when loading and unloading the vehicle. So whether you work in supply, distribution, production or reverse logistics, you need to make sure your drivers are safe and know someone will be there when they need them. 1 https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/alone/workingalone.html www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ 7 Important Features of a Lone Worker App for DriversMonitor driver safety away from the vehicle Recent Posts about Ok AloneWhatsApp Available for Ok Alone Lone Worker Notifications Why You Need a Lone Worker App for Check Ins Lone Worker App for Windows from Ok Alone OK Alone Lone Worker App: economical alternative to Blackline Safety Are your Lone Workers Stressed? Keep Moving with Man Down on our Lone Worker App Why has your company introduced a lone worker system? Ok Alones gift to you FREE access for fund raisers --- ## Situation Not Normal Is Your Mind on Your Driving? *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* Rick Walters and Angelina Robinson from Road Safety at Work BC. recently hosted a webinar, Situation Not Normal Is Your Mind on Your Driving? in response to the worldwide pandemic and its impact on those who drive for work. In the current climate people are experiencing pressure, uncertainty, and constant change. These bring with them new hazards, new routes, new procedures and feelings of stress. Although there has been reduced traffic on the roads over the last few months, there has been an increase of 25% in cases of speeding and crashes per kilometre driven. ### Upset Conditions In modern society we are constantly faced with changes that impact on our ability to concentrate and drive effectively. These are referred to as Upset Conditions and are interruptions in a regular work process or disruptions to normal work activities. It is claimed that if you are distracted while driving you can miss up to 50% of the information around you. Upset conditions can incur high cognitive energy costs, causing tiredness and loss of mental focus. This is caused by blood diverting from the brain to the extremities in a fight or flight reaction and limits the ability to make logical decisions. It can also cause people to become irritable, frustrated, agitated and aggressive whilst driving, increasing the possibility of crashing, or causing an accident. ### Active Scanning If you do need to drive somewhere (and you always have a choice whether or not to, as your right to refuse work you deem unsafe), here is a great tip from Rick Walters on how to stay focused on the task of driving: Practise Active Scanning. Look as far along the section of road you are driving as you can, to the next corner etc. Look left and right scanning all the way along the road until you get to the bumper of the car in front of you, where you check your following distance. Then check your side mirrors and rear-view mirror and begin again. While you are doing this, identify things that could become a hazard. Start planning and calculating answers to what if scenarios involving those hazards, i.e. What if that car at the intersection fails to stop? This will help you develop your crash avoidance skills and avoid situations if the do occur. ACE System The main focus of the webinar was using the ACE system to work through changes that occur in the daily routine. Asses the situation, Construct a plan, Execute the plan The ACE system can be broken into things employers and employees need to do. Things Employers can do: Acknowledge that things are not normal and identify what has changed environment, workers state of mind, shift patterns etc. This should be done as a team to ensure all points of view and observations are shared. Considering these changes employers should look at the risk assessment policies and update or adapt them where necessary. Employers should look at other non-travel options if possible. Alternatively, they should investigate if the amount of driving required has increased and react accordingly, getting workers more support through technology if possible. Journeys and routes should be planned using available travel data and local intel then made known to shift supervisors. Employers should also consider the need to train workers in any new skills, vehicles or routes needed. Safety procedures should be built into daily preparations and managers should be monitoring this, ready to make any adjustments needed to keep their workers safe. The most important aspect of the ACE system is communication. Employers need to communicate changes to employees and vice versa. Information needs to be passed both ways so procedures can be adapted. Things Employees can do: Ascertain if there are any differences in the environment, assignment or them self. Think before setting off on a journey Is this dangerous? Am I sure what is expected of me? Does this feel different? Do I need help? It is important to work out what the upset condition or aspect that isn't normal is and then get appropriate help or assistance to make the situation manageable. Employees need to determine their options by brain storming realistic possibilities, then choose the best one that has the lowest possible risk. If there is no good solution, then it is not safe to carry the job out. This needs to be communicated with management so the situation can be adapted or changed. Having an online or physical checklist that employees take a few minutes to work through assessing each situation before embarking on a journey can be invaluable. This will help them ascertain that they are physically and mentally prepared for changes or complications that could occur during the day. It also encourages checking of equipment and routes ahead of departure. Road Safety at Work B.C have excellent checklists available on their website, both online and physical checklists. Most importantly employees need to be disciplined in sticking to the plan that has been set out. If all possibilities have been worked through, then workers should be able to adapt if conditions change throughout their workday. ### Moving Forward Using the ACE system is a fantastic way to approach scenarios, looking at each situation and assessing what issues may arise and how to address them systematically. Frequent communicating between employers and employees allowing all parties to share their opinions, successes, concerns and views is the best way to ensure everyone is working together on the same page. Things are not going back to the way they were for a long time yet, so as best practise companies need to start preparing their employees for the new normal and how to adapt to a constantly changing work environment. 1,2 https://roadsafetyatwork.ca/events/webinar-situation-not-normal-is-your-mind-on-your-driving/ www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Best Practice for Protecting Lone Workers in British UniversitiesThe Dangers of Being a Lone Working Security Guard in the U.K Recent Posts about Ok AloneThe California Consumer Privacy Act Why has your company introduced a lone worker system? How to use Man Down on Android Smartphones Keep Workers Safe using Microsoft Teams with a Lone Worker Solution U.S Legislation for Electricians Lone worker health and safety : Who is at risk? What is a Lone Worker Policy and other Questions Activating the Discreet Lone Worker Alarm on an iPhone Lone Working with Amazon Alexa & Echo Devices from Ok Alone --- # Security and Guarding ## Lone Working Canadian Security Guards Need Help *May 25, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* The 2021 Report on Canadian Workplace Fatalities and Injuries released by the University of Regina gives statistics and findings from 2019. The information is always from two years before the report date as findings take time to be collated from across the country. The data comes from Canadian workers compensation boards across all the Canadian provinces and territories. The most recent findings reported that 925 workers died due to work related causes across Canada during 2019. This is down 102 people from the 1,027 deaths in 2018. Percentage change in injury fatality rate per 100,000 FTE 2019 vs 2016-2018(FTE stands for Full Time Employees) As can be seen in the above table, the numbers have fluctuated over the last four years. However, on a positive note, more areas have seen a decline in their figures than a rise. Dangers for Workers in Protective Services Number of Fatalities Within the Protection Services in Each Canadian Province Between 2016-2019 One area that continues to contribute to these figures is Protection services. Front line public protection services have had significant numbers of fatalities over the four years within the report. Of the four provinces that feature prominently on the table, only Ontario is seeing a steady decline in the number of workplace fatalities. Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia are struggling to get their number of fatalities down and keep them down. ### Increasing Numbers of Security Workers In 2017, the number of private security guards in Canada was approximately 140,000 and police officers 69,027, with private security personnel outnumbering police by 2.03. From 1996 to 2017 the number of security officers increased approximately 70.71 percent while the number of police officers only increased 16.82 percent. An emerging phenomenon discussed in Australian, European, North American, and Chinese literature pertains to the rapid growth of the private security industry with security personnel now nearly doubling police officers. Unfortunately with the rising number of security guards there is a corresponding rise in instances of violence and even homicides involving them. ### Lone Worker Security Guard Dangers On December 28, 2019 a lone security guard was shot and killed in Ontario. 19 year old Peter Simov was sat in a vehicle guarding a towing lot that had been the target of several arson attempts, when he was shot and killed. An Ottawa security guard was shot in the leg whilst working at the ByWard Market overnight in September of this year. In November 2016 a security guard was shot and killed in Harvey, Illinois. The guard worked for the Canadian National Railroad and came into contact with the shooter when he drove a stolen car onto the railroad tracks. 63 year old Mario Ruffalo was killed in an incident at the VIA Rail building at Guelph Central Station, Ontario during January 2020. Ruffalo was working alone when a man he was talking to attacked him. A former colleague, Biju Scaria, says, Its such a dangerous place to work. A dangerous area with the potential for violence No safety equipment. No special training (after being hired). Nothing. ### Protecting Lone Working Security Personnel The best way to keep lone working security guards safe is to equip them with the necessary tools. Lone workers need a safety solution where if something goes wrong, someone will know and can send help. The purpose of a Lone Worker Solution is to ensure all workers go home safely at the end of each shift. Solutions are simple systems that connect workers with a supervisor who monitors their well-being. However, not all systems are as simple and convenient as a Smartphone app. There are many different systems available to lone workers that allow them to keep in touch by checking in. The Ok Alone system has a wide range of features designed to make people who work alone feel safer. The system has an automated countdown timer, as required by work alone legislation, which reminds lone workers to make contact by checking in using either their smartphone app, SMS or phone call. Workers are able to change the frequency of their check ins with the high-risk feature. If a worker enters an area where they feel vulnerable, they can reduce the check in time to as little as 10 minutes. After the time has passed with no alerts, the check in frequency will revert to the original count down duration. If the worker does not check in, then an alert will be sent to their supervisor. One of the features, the Man Down (Worker Down) function, alerts monitors if there has been no movement from a worker within a set amount of time. This could help indicate if the worker has been involved in an accident or assault. Ok Alones lone worker smartphone app works in conjunction with a website and a cloud-based dashboard that can be used on pc, laptop, tablet or another smartphone. The online dashboard will display a map supplying the monitor with the GPS coordinates of the workers last known location if an alert is triggered. The Ok Alone lone worker security solution allows companies to know their workers are able to check in or request help and have real time locations for them, whether they are patrolling a site or driving to their next location. The tables used are from The 2021 Report on Canadian Workplace Fatalities and Injuries released by the University of Regina.WORKPLACE INJURIES SUSTAINED BY PRIVATE SECURITY PERSONNEL: THE TRUE COST OF PRIVATE POLICING,Ritesh Narayan, Karima taha, Joneil Francisco Curammeng and Rachel BrodskyMount Royal University, Canada www.researchgate.net/publication/338899117 WORKPLACE INJURIES SUSTAINED BY PRIVATE SECURITY PERSONNEL: THE TRUE COST OF PRIVATE POLICING,Ritesh Narayan, Karima taha, Joneil Francisco Curammeng and Rachel BrodskyMount Royal University, Canada www.researchgate.net/publication/338899117 https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/toronto/article-suit-filed-against-towing-company-boss-in-death-of-security-guard/ https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/security-guard-shot-in-byward-market-after-man-denied-entry-to-bar-1.5574861 https://abc7chicago.com/canadian-national-railroad-police-officer-harvey-shooting-cn-man-shot-in/1627164/ https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/former-via-rail-station-security-guards-say-something-terrible-was-bound-to-happen-there-2037313Stacey ManclarkAs an expert in lone worker content management, I possess an extensive knowledge base and experience in the area of lone working and safety monitoring. My expertise in this field encompasses a wide range of areas, including risk assessment, training, communication, and technology. I have a deep understanding of the unique risks associated with lone workers and have researched and written many projects and articles to educate people in how to mitigate these risks. www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Simple safety advice for women driving aloneDuty of Care and Lone Working Recent Posts about Ok AloneSafety Zone from Ok Alone Why has your company introduced a lone worker system? How to keep your HVAC Lone Workers Safe Protect your Lone Workers with a ZOLEO Satellite Device and Ok Alone What does lone worker risk really mean? How to Recognise and Avoid Aggressive Driving Ok Alones gift to you FREE access for fund raisers Live Monitoring with our Work Alone Call Centre --- ## The Dangers of Being a Lone Working Security Guard in the U.K *March 9, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics show that there were an estimated 739,000 incidents of violence at work, 356,000 of which were physical assaults.HSE Violence at Work 2018-19. ### New Security Roles Violent crime continues to increase across the U.K as police numbers diminish. As a result of this, private guards have been hired to fill the security vacuum, along with CCTV operators, cash transit specialists and close protection officers. The change in roles has resulted in substantial growth in the security sector. During 2017-2018 there were 143,894 applications for individual licences to operate in the security industry compared to 110,437 the previous year. The rise is in line with the obvious increase of an already substantial industry. There are currently 386,657 licence holders, with 68,715 in the role of security guard. ### Increased Risk of Violence Taking on the role of a security guard does come with its own set of risks. Protective service is the occupational group with the highest risk of experiencing workplace violence, which can be seen in the graph above. The Labour Force Survey shows that around 9 out of every 10 workers who sustain an injury resulting from violence at work (regardless of whether the injury resulted in time off work) are employed in public services. Overall, respondents in protective service occupations (such as police officers) faced the highest risk of assaults and threats while working, at 11.4% 8 times the average risk of 1.4%. In March 2017 a security guard was viciously beaten after he challenged an intruder inside the factory he was patrolling. Det Insp Colin Mattinson, of West Midlands Police Force CID, said, This was a sustained and violent attack on an elderly man. We believe he challenged a man found inside the premises which led to the unprovoked attack taking place. Unfortunately, as he was the sole worker on shift, the injured guard was left alone with serious head injuries for six hours until a colleague found him and raised the alarm. ### Protecting Lone Working Security Personnel The best way to keep security guards (lone workers) protected is to equip them with the necessary tools. Lone workers need a security solution that allows peace of mind and the knowledge that if anything goes wrong, someone will know and can send help. The aim of a lone worker solution is to guarantee the safe return of all workers at the end of each shift. These solutions are typically straightforward systems that establish a connection between workers and a supervisor responsible for monitoring their well-being. The supervisor may be a fellow employee within the same organization or a member of staff at a call centre. There are many different solutions available to lone workers that allow them to keep in touch by checking in. However, not all solutions are as simple and convenient as a Smartphone app. The Ok Alone security system has a wide range of features designed to make people working remotely feel safer. The system has an automated countdown timer, as required by work alone legislation, which reminds lone workers to make contact by checking in using either a smartphone app, SMS or phone call. Workers are able to change the frequency of their check ins with the high-risk feature. If a worker enters an area where they feel vulnerable, they can reduce the check in time to as little as 10 minutes. After the time has passed with no alerts, the check in frequency will revert to the original count down duration. ### Specialised Features of a Lone Worker App One of the features, the Man Down (Worker Down) function, alerts monitors if there has been no movement from a worker within a set amount of time. This could help indicate if the worker has been involved in an accident or assault. This feature would have alerted the factorys management that there had been an incident and the lone security guard in the Midlands would not have had to wait six hours for the next shift to start before he was found. Ok Alones lone worker security app works in conjunction with a website and cloud-based dashboard that can be used on pc, laptop, tablet or another smartphone. The online dashboard will display a map supplying the monitor with the workers last known location if an alert is triggered. To find out more and about how you can keep lone security workers safe visit www.okaloneworker.comhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causinj/violence/index.htm https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jan/05/private-security-industry-risk-grows-as-police-numbers-fall https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causinj/violence/work-related-violence-report-19.pdf https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causinj/violence/work-related-violence-report-19.pdf5. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/security-guard-left-dead-brutal-12767153 www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Situation Not Normal Is Your Mind on Your Driving?Start & End Shift Alerts for Lone Workers Recent Posts about Ok AloneEnsuring Safety in the Workplace with Employee Safety Monitoring from Ok Alone Lone Worker Legislation & Policy for Tasmania UK Driving Laws affecting Lone Workers and requiring Handsfree How does health and safety fit with working alone? Worker Down not Man Down Ok Alone introduces the Lone Worker Safety Awards --- ## Protecting Lone Working Security Guards in the US *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark* Working as a Security Guard is a particularly dangerous occupation in the US. On average, security officers suffer injuries at more than twice the rate of the average worker. In some countries nearly two private security officers are killed on duty for every police officer fatality. The incidence rate for injuries to security guards varies substantially between different countries. There is no global standard for calculating such rates which makes comparisons difficult. In 2017 the US annual nonfatal injury rate for security officers was 14 per 1,000 full-time employees. For workers in armoured car services it was higher, 36 per 1,000 employees. The rate of cases that required days away from work or work restrictions was 9 for every 1,000 security workers; 28 per 1,000 armoured car employees. ### Increased Risk of Violence The Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) recorded 3,560 workplace injuries to security guards in 2016. The results were broken into three main causes: falls, motor vehicle accidents and acts of violence. Falls- Patrolling on foot on often uneven or poorly lit areas can result in slips, trips and falls. Motor vehicle accidents- Driving around sites or between locations can result in accidents. Acts of violence- The BLS says assaults cause the majority of deadly security guard injuries. Physical attacks are more likely to occur at night, specifically between 8:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. A study conducted by Private Officer International using statistics from news reports, law enforcement incident reports, private agency injury reports, US workplace violence data and their own in-house database curated and analysed during 16 years looked into instances of security personnel being assaulted at work. They found that Since 2007, shoplifters are 23.4-percent more likely to be armed with a knife, firearm, pepper spray or a Taser. This percentage was almost 11 percent higher during security interactions at apartments, nightclubs and during property mobile patrol assignments. ### Protecting Lone Working Security Personnel The best way to keep security guards (lone workers) safe is to equip them with the necessary tools. Lone workers need a security solution that allows peace of mind and the knowledge that if anything goes wrong, someone will know and can send help. The purpose of a lone worker security solution is to ensure all workers go home safely at the end of each shift. Solutions are simple systems that connect workers with a supervisor who monitors their well-being. The supervisor could be another member of the same company, or staff in a call centre. There are many different solutions available to lone workers that allow them to keep in touch by checking in. However, not all solutions are as simple and convenient as a Smartphone app. ### Specialised Features of Ok Alone The Ok Alone system has a wide range of features designed to make people working remotely feel safer. The system has an automated countdown timer, as required by work alone legislation, which reminds lone workers to make contact by checking in using either a smartphone app, SMS or phone call. Workers are able to change the frequency of their check ins with the high-risk feature. If a worker enters an area where they feel vulnerable, they can reduce the check in time to as little as 10 minutes. After the time has passed with no alerts, the check in frequency will revert to the original count down duration. One of the features in the system, the Man Down (Worker Down) function, alerts monitors if there has been no movement from a worker within a set amount of time. This could help indicate if the worker has been involved in an accident or assault. Ok Alone also offers BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) beacons as an alternative to GPS only systems. The beacons are fully integrated into the existing OK Alone app and fully functioning within the lone worker system. The small beacons are radio transmitting devices that can be programmed to give out longitude and latitude coordinates, or exact locations i.e. Warehouse G, Floor 2, Section 12. As staff move around their sites registered beacons log the time, name and id of the worker. The Ok Alone lone worker security solution allows companies to know their workers are able to check in or request help and have real time locations for them, whether they are out in the field or down in the basement. Ok Alones lone worker smartphone app works in conjunction with a website and cloud-based dashboard that can be used on pc, laptop, tablet or another smartphone. The online dashboard will display a map supplying the monitor with the workers last known location if an alert is triggered. To find out more about how you can keep lone security workers safe visit www.okaloneworker.com 1. https://www.security-ligue.org/ligazette/the-risk-of-harm-to-private-security-personnel-what-are-todays-biggest-problems 2. https://www.security-ligue.org/ligazette/the-risk-of-harm-to-private-security-personnel-what-are-todays-biggest-problems 3. https://www.choelawfirm.com/blog/2018/08/3-workplace-hazards-for-security-guards.shtml 4. https://www.choelawfirm.com/blog/2018/08/3-workplace-hazards-for-security-guards.shtml 5. https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/91248-study-shows-hours-when-security-officers-are-most-often-attacked www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ How Lone Working affects Grooms, Stable Hands and Farriers in the U.KLone Working Jobs in Ireland Recent Posts about Ok AloneOK Alone Lone Worker App: a cost effective alternative to Safetyline Lone Working in Care Homes HR Strategies to Promote Lone Worker Safety Ok Alone Worker 7 Important Features of a Lone Worker App for Drivers How the Ok Alone Lone Worker System Works Legislation & Policy for Lone Workers in Alberta Massachusetts Safer Hotels for Workers Act Ok Alone App Settings for Android 9 --- ## Are Your Security Guards Sleeping on the Job? (Security Specific Features of a Lone Worker System) *February 28, 2023 · Stacey Manclark Running a team is difficult. Running a team who are constantly exposed to danger is even harder. As the employer of security personnel, you need to know your staff are active, safe, responding and in the right locations.* Ok Alone is the perfect fit for security companies who want a simple to use, low cost lone worker security monitoring system, that provides a high quality, professional solution. See below for our security specific top features. 1. Timed Check -ins Check ins allow security personnel to confirm that they are active and responding to their environment. Check ins can be set by management to occur as frequently as every 30 minutes throughout a shift. This feature gives supervisors peace of mind that all security guards are engaged with their duties and that no one is asleep on the job! Learn more about check ins 2. Worker Location Monitoring Ok Alones lone worker app provides detailed GPS coordinates that can give a security guards real time location in an emergency. There are a few options that guards can choose between: High, Normal, Non GPS and Off. The High setting allows the app to use a phones GPS to provide the most accurate location by updating every 10 seconds. Learn more about location monitoring 3. Start/End Shift reminders In order to avoid alerts that staff have not checked in, monitors (those monitoring the workers) can set up reminders. These can be applied to an individual workers rota for the day, week, month or even year. The reminders occur 5-30 minutes (time chosen by monitor) after a shift should have started or ended to remind the guard to either start or end their shift. If the shift start/end is missed, the lone worker will receive an SMS, email or phone call reminding them to use Ok Alone to confirm they are active. If they do not respond, an alert will be sent to the supervisor. Learn more about shift reminders 4. Geofencing Ok Alone is able to create an electronic barrier around a work site to ensure management know where a guard is within the site. Supervisors will receive a notification if a guard leaves the area. This allows a monitor to know the security officers exact location if there is a problem or if they ask for help. A map of the geofenced area is visible on the Ok Alone dashboard and a guards movements can be seen updating every 10 seconds as they move throughout the work site. Learn more about geo fencing 5. Man Down/ Worker Down Protection The Man down/Worker down feature helps keep lone working security staff even safer. This feature in the smartphone app tracks a guards movement. Security personnel set the length of time to be monitored themselves. If no movement is detected the man down/worker down app will sound an alarm alerting the guard that there has been no movement. If this alert is not responded to by the guard, then a no movement alert will be escalated and sent to the monitor. Learn more about worker down 6. High Risk Check-ins Being able to change the time between check ins if security personnel are going into a situation they deem dangerous or high risk is important. The Ok Alone app gives guards the control to choose their next check-in time and make it shorter. They can select the appropriate time in 10-minute increments. Once the shortened cycle is complete, the system resets to the normal pre-set check-in frequency. Learn more about high risk check ins 7. Voice Commands A unique feature of the Ok Alone solution is its ability to be used completely hands-free with voice commands. Android or iPhone verbal short cuts can be programmed into the app, allowing security workers to start shifts, check in and request help without touching their phone. This is especially helpful for patrols done from a vehicle or if a security officer has to drive between multiple locations during a shift. Learn more about voice commands Why a Lone Worker App for your Security Officers? You need to know that your staff are carrying out their duties and are where they're supposed to be. Workers want to know that their company trusts them and has their best interests at heart. With Ok Alone, workers can have peace of mind that they are being supported and someone will be there to help them when they need it. www.okaloneworker.com/author/staceymanclark/ Legislation for Lone Working in British ColumbiaSecurity Guard Lone Worker Policy and Hazard Assessment Recent Posts about Ok Alone5 Reasons to Attend Security Canada Expo 2016 in Toronto Applying GDPR to Lone Worker Solutions Lone Working in Care Homes Working from home. 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