There’s a reason why the UK government provides specialised health and safety advice for lone workers. It’s because working by yourself all or part of the time can introduce risks that must be addressed by safety measures.
As the government mentions in its Protecting Lone Workers guidance, “devices designed to raise the alarm in an emergency” can be a part of these safety measures. Lone worker alarms are just this type of device – and they can be crucial for keeping lone workers safe in a crisis.
In this post, we’ll discuss what a lone worker device is and some lone working jobs where this technology could offer important protection.
What is a lone worker device?
A lone worker device or alarm may also be referred to as a man down alarm or a lone worker watch. Either way, the core function of the alarm is to call for help if it’s needed while no-one else is around.
A good quality lone worker device does this with two core features. Firstly, it has an SOS button that calls for assistance with just one press. Secondly, it has automatic fall detection, which means it calls for help independently if it believes it has sensed a fall. This feature is important in situations where a person is too ill to press a button or was knocked unconscious by a fall.
So, what types of work might require a lone worker alarm, man down alarm or lone worker watch? Read on to see our list of 10 careers where this type of device could make all the difference in terms of safety.
1. Retail workers
In smaller shops or petrol stations, retail workers may be lone working in the business for a significant portion of their hours. Moreover, they may be alone late into the evening, which adds to the risks of the position. If a crisis occurs and no helpful customers come by, it could be a long time before the worker can get assistance. In this context, a personal alarm can offer peace of mind to an employee who is alone behind a till, especially if it’s at night.
2. Cleaners
Positions in which the worker visits other people’s homes are also considered lone working positions. While sometimes a client may be at home while a cleaner is at work in their house, at other times a cleaner may be entirely alone – and in a house or flat that is not familiar to them. That’s a situation that could be dangerous if the cleaner slips and falls on a recently mopped floor or has another kind of emergency.
Cleaners who work in businesses can be lone workers, too. A cleaner who is at work after an office has closed may be alone during these late hours, much like the retail worker we’ve just mentioned.
Therefore, a lone worker watch or pendant can be a great choice for cleaners in both of these contexts.
3. Health or social workers who visit homes
Nurses, carers and social workers are another type of worker who may be considered a lone worker when they are visiting others’ homes.
Isn’t it the case that these workers typically aren’t alone in the home, though? Yes, it’s true that nurses and carers are typically with a patient or client. But if that client is severely unwell or significantly disabled, the client may not be able to assist as needed in the case of an emergency.
Moreover, workers in these positions often have to walk or drive alone to their places of work. These hours spent travelling as a part of the work are also considered lone working. And, as we’ll discuss below, it’s important for those who are often driving or walking alone to have a way to get help if needed.
4. Postal workers
If we’re mentioning workers who are out and about alone, we’ll have to mention postal delivery workers too. Their hours spent walking to and from homes can be risky, especially when rain or ice makes pavements slippery. In the depths of winter, when the sun rises late, being out and about in the dark can also add dangers because others are less likely to see if the postal worker is in distress.
The outdoor location of this work also presents risks. A postie who falls outside in freezing weather needs help immediately to prevent hypothermia. They can’t wait until a passer-by happens to notice that they’re in distress.
5. Drivers
Whether it’s driving a truck or delivering parcels or food, driving can be an arduous job. The lone working aspect of the task adds to its difficulties. If a driver begins to feel unwell on the road or slips while delivering a parcel, there may be no-one around to help. A driver could end up pulled over on a lay-by for hours if they are too unwell to dial a phone. It’s clear here that a lone worker device is essential.
6. Security workers and guards
Like cleaners in a business, security workers and guards are often alone after work hours. In fact, they may be at work on a night shift when no-one is awake and nearby for a considerable distance.
A security worker or guard should have a radio that lets them call for help in case of illegal activity. But what happens if they slip or have a medical emergency that leaves them unconscious? That’s when you need the fall detection that a man down alarm provides. Plus, if a medical crisis happens suddenly, there may not be time to explain the problem over a walkie-talkie. A one-touch SOS button provides another layer of protection, allowing the worker to call for help in moments.
7. Office workers who stay late
We don’t often think of office workers as being lone workers. But if an office worker stays late in their office after everyone else has gone, that is considered lone working.
Obviously, lone working in an office isn’t as risky as lone working late at night in a shop or while doing heavy labour. But it still does carry risks, especially for workers who have health conditions like asthma, allergies, a bad back or heart problems that could flare up dangerously at any moment. So, if an office worker habitually stays late and has health concerns, it might very well be worth getting a man down alarm or lone worker watch for peace of mind.
8. Remote homeworkers who are alone
Like office workers, remote workers might not come to mind first when we think of lone working. But a remote worker who is alone at home every day is certainly a lone worker. And even if they’re just working at a computer throughout the day, they face the same risks that the office worker faces. If an emergency occurs, a remote worker needs a way to call for help – especially if they live alone, too.
9. Construction workers or manual labourers, especially those working at heights
Heavy or dangerous work tasks add to the risks of lone working. While workers on a construction site may rarely be alone, carpenters or contractors who are remodelling a home may be alone for some periods of time. Workers repairing roofs or power line equipment may also be alone for some time – and they may be working at heights too. Painters or decorators who are alone while up a ladder also face risks.
It's worth remembering that even a short span of working alone counts as lone working, even if a colleague is nearby for part of most of the time. It only takes a moment to fall from a ladder or sustain an injury, and in these events, seconds count. It’s important to get help right away.
10. Farmers and gardeners
Lastly, we can’t neglect to mention agricultural work. Farmers, gardeners and agricultural workers may often be alone outdoors while doing hard and dangerous work. They could also be at work in cold or icy weather, which increases the risks of emergencies like falls and heart attacks. And many even work early in the morning in winter when it’s dark.
It's clear that these workers face a number of factors that increase the dangers of lone working. A lone worker device or man down alarm is a great idea for many in this position.
… And anyone who could face a medical emergency
It’s important to mention that a worker in any career might need a lone worker alarm if they have serious health conditions.
Let’s consider an office worker who is at risk of a heart attack or a stroke. They might ordinarily work in a busy office. But one day they might briefly step into a storage cupboard to get supplies like paper for a photocopier. If an emergency happens here, the worker would still be alone and in need of help. In fact, if this worker is a manager with their own office in the business, they could suffer a heart attack or stroke in that office without anyone noticing.
When a person is at high risk of these kinds of medical emergencies, they may benefit from a simple, unobtrusive lone worker watch even if they’re not in a career that’s traditionally considered a lone working position.
Keep safe at work with SureSafe
At SureSafe, we’re UK industry leaders in the field of personal alarms, with a wealth of glowing reviews and Trustpilot ratings under our belt. So, if you’d like to know how a lone worker alarm could protect you or a loved one, we’re here to help. Just give us a ring at 0808 189 1671, get in touch through live chat or request a call back.