The real question is: Can you afford not to have a lone worker safety solution?
SoloProtect explains how a lone worker safety solution can both save and make your organisation money, explores the most cost-effective options on the market, and how to ensure you get the best deal …
In 2020-21, according to the HSE, 142 workers in Great Britain were killed at work and the Labour Force Survey stated that 441,000 workers sustained a non-fatal injury in the same period. And 688,000 incidents of violence at work were reported in 2019-20, according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales.
Avoid unexpected fines and costs
Any incident where a worker is harmed or feels threatened can lead to a multitude of operational and financial impacts.
In more serious cases, particularly where negligence has played a part, there can be significant legal repercussions. £26.9 million in fines were issued to those found guilty of health and safety offences in 2020–21.
Physical injuries, stress and mental scars can result in additional sick days and, once one incident has occurred, there’s always a fear that something similar will happen again. Psychologically, this can be a heavy weight to bear and can mean that those affected leave the organisation in search of a “safer” role.
Unfortunately, word easily gets around. So leavers may not be limited to those who were involved in the incident, particularly if workers feel the business could have done more to protect their colleagues. This can impact the external reputation of the organisation too, meaning recruiting for those lost positions is more difficult.
With the cost-of-living spiralling and the effect on business being felt across the UK, can you afford to pay for fines, sick days, and additional recruitment and training? If the answer is “no”, then implementing an effective safety solution for lone and remote workers can help to ensure you don’t have to.
Save and make money
But it’s not just about avoiding these unnecessary outgoings, a lone worker safety solution can also help you to save and make money, too.
You may be able to reduce your insurance premiums and remove any convoluted buddy systems to both relieve stress and reduce staffing levels. Music to the ears of any finance team.
And a demonstrable investment in colleague safety and wellbeing can support your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental Social Governance (ESG) commitments, helping organisations to secure investment or win contracts.
Find a cost-effective solution
Understandably, despite the obvious benefits, some organisations have concerns about the initial outlay. But, did you know, you can secure a solution from as little as £3 per user per month?
There are many cost-effective solutions on the market, there really is something for everyone.
The SoloProtect Mobile app is an easy way to turn a phone into a valuable and efficient personal safety device. It’s a great solution for those who want a super-fast rollout and there are no device costs, sim contract fees or shipping costs. Plus, if you’ve already invested in mobile phones for employees, converting them into personal safety devices means you’re getting much better value from your investment.
Ensure your solution is future-proofed
Also, where possible, you should ensure the solution is future-proofed; what’s the life span of the device and how easily can it be updated to accommodate changing technology and requirements?
SoloProtect’s intuitive, new touchscreen devices allow features to be easily updated as they develop without the need to issue new devices. They also benefit from 4G connectivity for comprehensive network coverage and are completely water and dustproof (IP67).
Whichever option you choose, you should ensure your provider will offer a mix-and-match approach so you can choose a different option for each team depending on their role and risk profile. And ensure there are no hidden charges e.g. additional SIM card charges.
Maximise operational benefits
Finally, you should understand whether there are any additional operational benefits that a lone worker solution can provide. For example, SoloProtect’s Latest Location feature allows managers to see where their lone or remote workers are located to aid redeployed decisions or to track the progress of work (e.g. deliveries or home visits).
If you’re looking to introduce a lone worker safety solution or expand your current package, take a look at our helpful business case for investment. This will help you to explain the financial, operational, safety, well-being, and HR benefits to important stakeholders within your organisation.
The Safety Conversation with SHP (previously the Safety and Health Podcast) aims to bring you the latest news, insights and legislation updates in the form of interviews, discussions and panel debates from leading figures within the profession.
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