A lone worker is an employee who undertakes a part of their role without close supervision and in isolation from other workers. Lone workers are particularly vulnerable and at-risk employees due to the additional exposure faced by having noone to assist them should they face any issues.
Lone workers are exposed to a higher level of risk, as they lack immediate support and oversight. Although pairing employees together can sometimes enhance safety, it’s not always practical or efficient. In these cases, Lone Worker safety devices provide a solution by enabling lone employees to alert others in emergencies. As is the case with many roles, it isn't always efficient or an ideal safety solution to pair up staff members, and this is where Lone Worker safety devices come into play.
Depending on where you're located the definition of a Lone Worker will also vary:
The term "Lone Worker" in common usage does extend beyond isolated and solitary workers though. Employees working in situations that are isolated from the office in teams are often considered Lone Workers as they are often working in remote or isolated locations without immediately available backup support.
Providing reliable safety solutions for lone workers is crucial. For more information on safeguarding your high-risk lone employees, explore Smartrak’s lone worker safety solutions. Contact us to learn how we can support your organisation in ensuring a safer work environment for your workforce.