Lone Worker Safety: A Guide for Workers and Businesses
Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of lone workers is a legal and moral responsibility for any business.
This guide provides essential insights and practical advice for ensuring the wellbeing of lone workers. It covers the risks faced by lone workers and offers effective strategies for mitigating these and ensuring compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.
Lone Worker Definition:
A lone worker is defined as any individual who performs their duties in isolation, without direct or immediate supervision. This encompasses a broad spectrum of professions, including home healthcare providers, social workers, field technicians, and remote site personnel. The inherent risk lies in their potential isolation during accidents or emergencies, which can reduce access to timely assistance.
Legal and Ethical Considerations:
Both employers and lone workers share a responsibility to proactively implement and practice comprehensive safety measures. Adherence to OH&S frameworks, such as the guidelines provided by Safe Work Australia, is essential for creating a safe, compliant, and productive work environment that benefits both staff and the business.
Safe Work Australia emphasises that:
"Remote or isolated workers may be isolated from help because of where or when they are working, or the nature of the work they are doing. For example, they may be working in locations or at times where it would be difficult for them to be rescued, get medical assistance or be reached by emergency services. Workers may face additional WHS risks if nobody else is around to help with difficult tasks, alert them to hazards or give a second opinion about how to safely do a task, or notice if they are fatigued or making mistakes."
OH&S Obligations:
In Australia, the key Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) regulations and guidelines for lone workers include:
- Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2011: This federal legislation provides a framework to ensure the health and safety of all workers, including those working alone. Employers are required to provide a safe working environment, adequate facilities, and necessary information, training, and supervision.
- WHS Regulations 2011: These regulations specify the duties of employers in managing risks associated with specific hazards, including those relevant to lone workers. Employers must prepare and implement emergency plans, provide adequate first aid provisions, and ensure effective communication systems are in place.
- Regulation 48 ‘Remote or Isolated Work’ from the Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice 2018: This regulation specifically addresses the risks associated with remote or isolated work. Employers must identify hazards, assess risks, and implement control measures to eliminate or minimise risks. Effective communication and monitoring systems must be in place to manage the safety of workers performing remote or isolated work.
These regulations and guidelines are designed to protect lone workers by ensuring that employers take proactive measures to identify and mitigate risks, provide necessary resources, and maintain effective communication and monitoring systems. For more detailed information, you can visit Safe Work Australia.
Lone Worker's 'Working Alone' Risk Assessments
One of the ways lone workers can protect themselves is by conducting a Risk Assessment Evaluation prior to attending a new client or location. The assessment should include, but not be limited to:
- Client screening to identify potential risks to both the worker and the client.
- Review of clients' medical records and known history to identify and address potential risk factors.
- Evaluation of potential substance abuse concerns.
- Awareness of hoarding or squalor issues.
- Identification of emotional or psychological concerns.
- Assessment of the location for isolation and accessibility.
Safety Precautions
Essential communication tools for lone workers include a mobile phones and a dedicated safety device such as a duress alarm with 24/7 monitoring by trained professionals.
In some remote areas, apartment blocks or caravan parks, there may be reduced cellular signal or black spots. Check the signal in the area and let your manager or a colleague know the exact location of where you'll be. If you have a monitored duress alarm, press the button on the alarm to check in before the start of the visit and provide all the details to the monitoring team.
If you're using a shared MePACS duress alarm, please check in at the start of your shift by pressing the alarm button and provide your details to MeAPCS.
Maintaining Professional Conduct
Lone workers should maintain heightened situational awareness to protect their safety, including:
- Appropriate dress and behaviour.
- Minimisation of physical contact.
- Identification of exits and escape routes.
- Limiting after-dark visits.
- Safe parking practices.
- Securing personal belongings.
- Listening for conflict prior to entering a premises.
- Refrain from accepting food or beverages during your visit.
De-escalation and Emergency Procedures:
De-escalation procedures are essential for lone workers to manage potentially challenging or dangerous situations. Here are some effective strategies:
- Stay Calm and Composed: Use calm body language and maintain a low, steady tone of voice to help defuse tension.
- Active Listening: Show empathy and understanding by actively listening to the individual's concerns without interrupting.
- Clear Communication: Clearly explain what is happening and what will happen next to reduce uncertainty and anxiety.
- Remove Sources of Frustration: If possible, remove or address any immediate sources of frustration for the individual.
- Offer Reassurance: Provide reassurance through positive verbal and non-verbal cues, such as nodding and maintaining eye contact.
- Set Boundaries: Politely but firmly set boundaries to ensure your safety and the safety of others.
- Use Help Scripts: Have well-rehearsed help scripts ready, such as "I can see that you're upset. Let's talk about it."
- Create Physical Distance: If necessary, create a safe physical distance between yourself and the individual to prevent escalation.
- Seek Assistance: If the situation escalates, use your duress alarm or contact your supervisor or emergency services for immediate help.
Animal Safety Protocols
When conducting home/community visits, advise the client in advance that their animals must be restrained for the duration of the visit. When arriving at your appointment, check for the presence of animals and maintain vigilance. If you are concerned about animal-related safety, consult with your manager and consider alternative options, such as for visits to take place at another suitable location.
Duress Alarms for Lone Workers' safety
A monitored duress alarm can be a vital tool for enhancing the safety of lone workers, allowing them to quickly and easily send an alert for help in the event of an emergency, such as an accident, medical issue, or threat of violence. When activated, the alarm immediately notifies a 24/7 dedicated monitoring centre, ensuring a rapid response. This swift action can significantly reduce the time it takes for help to arrive, potentially preventing serious injury or harm.
The MePACS Duress alarm is equipped with features like GPS location, two-way communication through the device, and one-touch activation, providing an additional layer of security for workers operating in remote or isolated environments. By using a duress alarm, lone workers can feel more secure knowing that assistance is readily available at the press of a button, which enhances their overall safety and peace of mind.
Smartphones vs. Duress Alarm
Most people already carry smartphones, making it a convenient tool for safety. Smartphones offer a wide range of functions, including communication, navigation, and access to various apps, including duress apps. While smartphones may be an easy solution, they require navigating through multiple steps, which can be challenging in high-stress situations.
Duress alarms on the other hand, are specifically designed for emergency situations, making them more reliable and easier to use. They feature Quick one-touch Activation and GPS location, which can be crucial in emergencies, and a direct link to trained emergency response professionals who can provide the right assistance. In addition, the monitoring centre keeps relevant details securely on file and can provide them to emergency services even if the worker is unable to communicate.
Conclusion
Prioritising lone worker safety is not only a legal obligation but also a fundamental ethical responsibility. By understanding and implementing the best practices outlined in this guide, comprehensive risk management strategies, providing appropriate equipment, and fostering a culture of safety, businesses can significantly enhance the protection of their lone workers and meet their OH&S obligations.
