One of the most common reasons for organisations failing to invest in lone worker protection is cost. With budgets for many businesses being stretched to the max, investing in systems to protect lone working staff is not always top priority. It is often assumed that installing an effective lone worker system is a costly and troublesome exercise - but as experts in this industry, we’re happy to be the bearers of good news and tell you that you don’t have to break the bank to keep your lone working staff safe. When you factor in the potentially crippling financial costs and reputational damage to your business should a lone worker suffer a serious injury, then it’s hard to argue why lone worker protection shouldn’t be a top priority, however tight the pursestrings.
Here’s 3 ways you can introduce effective lone working protection on a budget:
1. Pick a service that allows you and your staff to make use of existing communications equipment.
LONEALERT’s Access range transforms everyday communications equipment, including mobile phones, smartphones, computers, laptops and desk phones into sophisticated lone worker protection devices in an instant. All of the above can work interchangeably to enable lone workers to set timers or raise alarms in times of need, whilst allowing supervisors to monitor the safety of all lone working staff at any time. For organisations, this type of lone worker protection solution keeps costs at a minimum as no additional dedicated devices are required – the technology is simply an application which adds functionality to an existing device, for example in the form of an App for a smartphone, text-in service for any mobile, or check calls for landlines. This solution also allows lone workers to access The O.W.L via any computer which is connected to the internet. Once logged into LONEALERT, lone workers will be able to create, update and cancel timers as well as enter work locations and raise a panic alarm if needed. As well as keeping costs to a minimum, making most of a lone worker protection system that uses existing communications equipment means there is no need to provide additional training to the workforce as they are already all familiar with the technology.
2. Ensure your lone worker protection provider will not hit you with hidden license costs.
There is a vast selection of lone worker solutions and features now available to ensure every worker, in every industry, feels safe. Each solution can be tailored to the needs of their individual lone working situation, or risks they face, from the type of device they use, to the way it is configured to deal with an alarm escalation, or the response pattern it sets off. This vast variation of solutions explains why lone worker protection providers offer so many varying contracts and license terms, with many workforces opting to mix and match a range of solutions to suit varying jobs. It is vital to ensure your supplier is giving a clear indication of the total costs you will face for the period of your contract, and if there will be any additional costs for changing licenses or adding new licenses in future, for example, which could hit you in the pockets once you are already committed to a provider for a period of time.
3. Roll out lone worker protection in stages across your workforce to spread costs.
It is often a good idea to stagger the roll out of lone worker protection among departments to spread costs and ensure any teething issues are properly dealt in small sections rather than an entire workforce in one go. If you are new to the vast range of lone working solutions available, categorise your workers into job roles or risk factors, and implement suitable lone worker protection for the highest risk group first, before rolling out measures to the next group within targeted timeframes. As well as avoiding the need to pay out for a full quota of lone worker protection in one lump sum, it will also give you the benefit of organically encouraging workforce buy-in from other departments down the line, whilst meaning license renewal costs are also staggered over a period of time. At LONEALERT, we value our customers and their loyalty, which is why we offer discounts for those who opt to take out longer-term contracts. It’s worth bearing in mind just how much you could save by choosing to sign up for a lengthier contract - and that’s before the peace of mind you’ll get from knowing you’re doing all you can to keep your workforce safe. That in itself, as they say, is just priceless!
We’re delighted to be exhibiting again at the Health and Safety Event on Stand N30 from April 9th to April 11th at the NEC, Birmingham. Come along to speak to us about our lone working device range, and be among the first to see the next generation of our lone working system in action - The O.W.L! Tweet us @LONEALERT using the hashtag #LoneWorking.
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LONEALERT for The Health & Safety Event >
Listen to lone worker expert Clive Wheawall’s speech on lone working and business efficiencies.Clive is scheduled to speak on Thursday 11th April 2019 at the Health & Safety Event, NEC, Birmingham. For more information please contact LONEALERT on 0330 999 8484
