Lone worker protection for facilities management workers
Increased economic pressures and tighter regulations are resulting in businesses moving towards bundled services and total facilities management packages. As a result, outsourcing in this sector is expected to grow by 5% over the next couple of years, making the market worth £23.2 billion pounds.
Whether you choose to employ a site manager to manage and service the premises or outsource, the fact remains that due to the nature of this sector many workers will find themselves working alone or remotely for long periods either in the day or night, at unfamiliar locations or in potential vulnerable situations. Due to the diverse high/low risk job roles operating across many business functions it can make protecting lone workers seem like a minefield. A lone worker alarm can help ensure the safety of all workers.
Being responsible for lone or remote working staff that are not directly supervised brings its own set of risks to the employer. An in depth risk assessment is a necessity that must be carried out to ensure workers are provided with the adequate protection needed. Knowing that your staff is safe of paramount importance.
Being responsible for lone or remote working staff that are not directly supervised brings its own set of risks to the employer / organisation. Knowing that your staff are safe is of paramount importance.
LONEALERT is designed to allow facilities management professionals access to easily monitor the status and location of their staff in a streamlined and efficient way. The O.W.L will also allow you to be able to set up a personalized or companywide escalation procedures that will come into effect as soon as an alert is raised.
Our risk assessment
To carry out a risk assessment you need to think about what might cause harm to your employees and decide whether you are taking the reasonable steps needed to prevent any harm.
A risk assessment is something you are required to carry out by law. We have teamed up with lone working specialist trainer Jackie Dolan and created a comprehensive risk assessment for people working in facilities management.
LONEALERT Solutions in facilities management:
As with all sectors the level of risk depends on the employee’s job role - which can differ drastically throughout the day. Looking after multiple staff with high & low level lone working risks can be a difficult task. We have a variety of solutions that will help you, all of which are controlled by The O.W.L, so you can mix and match solutions to suit your needs. The O.W.L allows you to set up personalised or companywide escalation procedures that will come into effect as soon as an alarm is raised.
LONEALERT Access:
What is it?
Accessed via The O.W.L, landline, mobile phone or smartphone, LONEALERT Access is a simple, cost effective solution to benefit lower risk roles within this sector.
How it can work?
A cleaner arrives at an empty office block in the early evening. Using either the office phone system, or her mobile phone she sends a message to LONEALERT detailing the office/floor she is due to clean, and the expected duration. As she finishes each office/floor she simply sends a new message to LONEALERT detailing her next activity. As she finishes and leaves, she simply sends a new message to LONEALERT, cancelling. If she needs help, or fails to cancel, then the O.W.L raises the alarm.
LONEALERT Instant:
What is it?
The Instant solution includes all products within the LONEALERT Access range, and adds access via a range of dedicated devices. GPS equipped with fall detection, panic and one button timer creation.
How it can work?
A window cleaner works on ladders and in cradles, and to clean the building can take several hours – and often no-one would be aware if there was an issue. The LONEALERT Instant lets him call for help in the event of mechanical failure of a cradle, and the fall detector would raise the alarm should he fall.
LONEALERT Plus:
What is it?
Plus includes LONEALERT Access, and all the safety features of Instant, but adds high durability, IP67 rated devices, with LCD screen for improved user feedback and advanced notifications, with Bolt-Ons for indoor locating workers. Also includes an ATEX intrinisically safe option if required.
How it can work?
Dan, an engineer is making his round of checks, which includes going into areas only maintenance staff roam. Other staff always assume that Dan is elsewhere. Wearing his Plus device, Dan just goes about his duties. Due to the heavy roof material, it is not possible to get a GPS signal, however his location is narrowed down with the Internal Location beacons Bolt-On which automatically sends his location to the O.W.L as he is in range. More specific location can be gained by using the RF-Tag Bolt On. If a problem occurs, the Plus can send the alarm automatically through lack of motion or fall, or upon the press of a panic button.
If working in an area that blocks mobile signal, Dan uses the SOS button bolt on. They leave the Plus unit in an area with mobile signal and enter the area, wearing their SOS button. If help is needed, the SOS button signals wirelessly to the Plus unit, which can then alarm into The O.W.L. A timer can also be set to cover the length of time the worker is in the poor signal area for added protection.
LONEALERT Anywhere:
What is it?
Including all products within the LONEALERT Access range, the Anywhere solutions is great for those who work in outdoor areas with very limited mobile signal.
How it can work?
A gardener works out of doors in an area with very little mobile signal. The Anywhere enables him to check in via the satellite network, so if he has an accident and can’t call for help, the O.W.L will realise he hasn’t checked in and raise the alarm.
