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Five facts you should know about lone working

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4 min read

Five facts you should know about lone working

With the number of lone workers on the rise, here are five facts every employer should know about lone working.

Written by Helen Down, StaySafe

1. The number of lone workers is growing worldwide 

There are 53 million lone workers in the US, Canada and Europe combined – with around 8 million of these estimated to be working alone in the UK. However, with the pandemic causing a steep rise in remote and lone working, these figures are now likely to be significantly higher. According to leading tech researchers IDC, this rise is being seen on a global scale, with businesses continuing to actively increase their mobile-enabled workforces throughout 2022 and beyond.

2. Your lone workers probably aren’t telling you if they’ve felt unsafe  

According to the British Crime Survey, 150 lone workers are physically or verbally attacked every day. Unfortunately, this number is likely to be under-reported. The latest edition of the Lone Worker Landscape Report showed that only around a third (36%) of lone workers talk to their employer when they have felt unsafe at work. However, most companies are unaware, with nearly all (92%) believing that their lone workers are speaking to them regularly about any incidents and concerns.

3. Most companies have experienced a lone worker incident in the last three years

Incidents involving lone workers are common across all industries, with 68% of companies having experienced an incident involving a lone worker in the past three years. A fifth of these incidents were described as severe or very severe. Worryingly, nearly a quarter of lone workers also report feeling unsafe at least once a year.

4. Your safety communications are not as effective as you think

The good news is that over 95% of companies have policies and procedures in place to protect their lone workers. The bad news: not all your employees know about them. Research indicates that as many as 1 in 5 lone workers are not aware of their employer’s lone worker policy. A recent study has also shown that managers often overestimate the effectiveness of their safety communications and training, which can leave some lone working employees at risk.

5. The use of lone worker safety solutions is on the increase

When it comes to protecting lone workers, the majority of businesses are leaving manual check-in calls and simple panic buttons behind. According to a new research report from Berg Insight, the number of lone workers using connected safety solutions in Europe and North America is expected to reach 1.8 million by 2025. Connected safety solutions like StaySafe utilise the latest mobile and GPS technology to provide an easier and more reliable way to keep lone workers safe. 

 

Looking for a better way to protect your lone workers? 

The StaySafe lone worker app and cloud-based monitoring hub is used by hundreds of clients and tens of thousands of users worldwide.

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Our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about lone working.
From identifying the lone workers in your organization, to the risks they face in different environments, our lone worker guide will ensure you know how to keep your staff protected and meet your legal duty of care.
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Helen Down

“Helen has worked within the lone worker industry for nearly a decade. During that time she has written extensively about health and safety, risk, legislation, and lone working – including the Lone Worker Landscape Report.

Helen’s background is in marketing for start-ups and SMEs, where she has enjoyed working as part of the leadership team to grow the business. Outside of work, Helen is a mum of two and loves to drink wine in peace.”

Looking for more information on protecting your lone workers?

We have a range of expert resources and topical blogs to help keep your lone working staff safe.

Guide to Lone Working

A comprehensive lone worker guide for employers, managers and the self employed.

Lone Worker Risk Assessment
An extensive guide to risk assessments for employers or managers of lone workers.
Three Questions to Ask When Purchasing a Lone Working Solution
An informative guide outlining everything you need to know when considering purchasing a lone working solution.

Find out more about StaySafe solutions

Lone Worker App

Our intuitive app allows employees to check in safely following a lone working session and raise an alert in an emergency.

Cloud Based Monitoring Hub
Our hub uses GPS to accurately locate your lone workers and provides you with real-time updates on their movements.
Wearable Technology
Pairing the app with V.BTTN is a great solution for anyone working at height, with gloves or machinery, where pushing a button may be a more convenient way of using the StaySafe app.
Satellite Tracking Devices
Our satellite tracking devices are designed for those regularly travelling to remote areas where you can’t even get a mobile signal.
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