When a company employs lone workers, those who work apart from other members of their organization, this can create new and complex hazards. Anyone who works physically apart from coworkers and supervisors can be considered a lone worker, including both employees who work in the field and work-from-home employees. Industries that commonly employ lone workers include contractors, health care, nonprofits, real estate, and utilities. However, the expansion of remote work since the pandemic has widened the scope of the phenomena to many more industries.
While many work environments present hazards, these are magnified for lone workers, who cannot get help from a nearby coworker. While safety policies and procedures are indispensable for all organizations, making sure they are adequate for lone workers is key to avoiding and mitigating issues. For example, a lone worker policy can include both rules to guide how lone workers perform their job, and information to make them aware of potential hazards ahead of time. Furthermore, OSHA requires employers of lone workers to account for their safety at intervals proportional to the risk of the job.
Lone Worker Apps
A recent development in the area of lone working risk management and compliance is the creation of lone worker apps. These apps can include features such as location tracking, setting the start and end of shifts, check-ins at set intervals, and features to detect issues such as falls and non-movement. However, it should be noted that not all apps include all features, and parts of the technology are likely still developing. The chart below highlights current features for three of the lone worker apps currently available: StaySafe, OkAlone and SafetyLine.
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Worker sets start of shift |
yes |
yes |
yes |
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Worker sets end of shift |
yes |
yes |
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Check-ins |
yes |
yes |
yes |
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event logging |
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|
yes |
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Biometrics |
yes |
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Fall detection |
yes |
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yes |
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Driving mode |
yes |
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Low signal mode |
yes |
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yes |
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Low battery |
yes |
yes |
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Call for help |
yes |
yes |
yes |
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Non-movement |
yes |
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yes |
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Location |
yes |
yes |
yes |
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Can change check-in intervals |
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yes |
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Professional monitoring/call center |
yes |
yes |
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trial period |
yes |
yes |
yes |
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Estimated Price per worker per month (may vary) |
$9 |
$5 |
$15-$27 |
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(alerts = flat $75 fee) |
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(call center = flat $75 fee) |
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Sources:
1915.84 – Working alone. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)
Lone Worker Guide – StaySafe USA (staysafeapp.com)
Safety Blog for Remote and Lone Workers (safetylineloneworker.com)
Top 8 Features of a Lone Worker App for 2023 – Ok Alone Solutions (okaloneworker.com)
