The pitfalls for those of us working alone or on the move
According to the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, all employees are entitled to adequate protection from risks, whether they are working alone or in a group, and whether based at one site, or at multiple off site locations. For employers, it can be tricky ensuring that all their workers are adequately protected, particularly for those working in delivery or haulage businesses, who may be driving to unknown sites and working alone for large parts of the day.
In addition to the risks faced by all workers, lone drivers can be susceptible to attacks from customers, may be involved in road accidents, and may also have to face critical situations with no back up, having to make crucial decisions without the support of a team and with minimal information, which can lead to additional stress. If a lone worker has an accident, they may be unable to call for help and it may be very difficult for their employer to offer assistance from a distance.
Mobile worker and vehicle tracking devices, such as those offered by CMS SupaTrak, provide a vital means of communication between the mobile or lone worker and their supervisor. Some of the features available include:
- real-time updates of workers’ locations
- satellite navigation;
- a means of recording key information, such as delivery times, customer signatures, allowing both the monitoring of employees’ safety and providing information in the event of disputes.
- quick and easy communication with supervisors who can offer guidance or expert advice on unforeseen problems;
- an automatic alarm if no activity is registered over a specified period of time;
- checks to ensure the lone worker has returned to their base by a certain time.
Tracking devices do not remove the responsibility that both the employer and employee have for their own and others’ safety, but they do offer a range of methods to improve communication and access to information, making it easier for everyone to comply with health and safety and employment law and to safeguard the security of lone and mobile workers.
