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October 11, 2022

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Safety technology gathering dust? Here’s how to maximise usage

Safety technology gathering dust? Here’s how to maximise usage

Do you have safety technology that rarely sees the light of day? Could usage be improved to better protect your staff, reduce risk, and maximise your investment?

As a market leader in lone worker safety technology, SoloProtect explains how their customers ensure the highest possible levels of usage

Technology is only effective if it’s used regularly and proactively; a device gathering dust in a draw is neither use nor ornament.

So have you considered why usage may be lower than you’d hoped and how you could improve it? There are several possible reasons why this can be the case and it starts way before the solution was initially implemented.

Early engagement is paramount

You will only maximise usage if you have buy-in from users and managers, so early engagement with colleagues is pivotal.

Talking to potential users about what they’d like from a lone worker safety device or app in terms of features and how the device looks and feels, helps to ensure users get a device or app that suits their preferences and risk profile.

Moreover, early engagement helps to ensure users fully understand the benefits of the technology from the outset, are more comfortable using it long term and are more likely to become advocates.

It’s equally as important to maintain engagement throughout your contract to ensure users continue to support and use the new technology and can provide regular feedback on how the device or app is working for them in practice.

Why not communicate case studies to explain real-life situations where colleagues have used the device or app to their benefit or run a usage competition with your teams?

Choose an intuitive device

Sometimes low usage can stem from having a device that isn’t intuitive to use, particularly if users are unclear about how it works and have a fear of pressing the wrong button and wasting people’s time with false alerts. If this sounds familiar, then switching to a more user-friendly device could be the answer.

We’re all used to instinctively using our touchscreen smartphones to perform tasks from calls and messages to banking, internet shopping, games and more. So why should a lone worker device be any different? SoloProtect’s range of new touchscreen devices offers the familiarity that many of our customers have been looking for. Minimal training is required, so with an understanding of the features available, the devices are really “plug and play”. What’s more, users feel confident using the devices and avoid the anxiety of getting it wrong.

Evaluate the data

The only way you can really understand usage is to look at the data. Therefore, adopting a solution that allows you to track usage comprehensively is vital. The data should allow you to pinpoint the teams (or individuals) that have the lowest usage. These workers may have a device or app that isn’t suited to their needs, or they may need additional training and support.

Training is key

Training is another important asset in your arsenal to maximise usage. However, it shouldn’t just be seen as a mechanism for launching a new solution. People who go on holiday, take maternity or paternity leave, have time off sick, or anyone whose attention has been drawn away from work for a period of time may need a refresher to ensure they can continue to use their device with confidence and trust it to keep them safe. Most providers offer a range of training materials so ensure you and your users have access to them.

Ask for advice

SoloProtect technology is used by over 320,000 workers in 14 countries across the world. So, if you need some advice on maximising usage and getting the most out of your investment, our specialists are happy to help.

Moreover, if you’re looking to invest in a lone worker safety solution, take a look at our helpful business case. This will help you to explain the financial, operational, safety, well-being, and HR benefits to important stakeholders within your organisation.

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