Healthcare workers provide essential support in people's homes and communities. For many, this means working independently, travelling between appointments and spending periods of the day without colleagues nearby.
Most visits will take place without incident. However, when a difficult or unexpected situation occurs, a lone worker needs a practical way to request assistance.
This raises an important question for healthcare and home-support organisations:
What happens when a worker cannot safely reach their phone, contact a colleague or leave a situation?
For organisations responsible for people working alone, lone worker protection in healthcare can form an important part of a wider approach to employee safety.
Lone working in healthcare presents different challenges
Community-based healthcare work is different from working in a hospital, clinic or other staffed environment.
A healthcare worker may enter a private home alone, travel between several locations during a shift or work at times when fewer colleagues and managers are available.
The risks will vary from role to role and from one working environment to another. They can include:
- Working alone in a private property
- Travelling between appointments
- Working early mornings, evenings or weekends
- Working in unfamiliar or remote locations
- Encountering distressed or unpredictable behaviour
- Potential exposure to verbal or physical aggression
- Falls, accidents or medical emergencies
- Situations where accessing a mobile phone is difficult
These risks do not mean that an incident will happen. They do, however, make it important for employers to consider what arrangements are in place if a lone worker needs assistance.
When a mobile phone is not enough
A mobile phone is a useful communication tool, but it may not always be practical during an incident.
A worker may be dealing with a challenging situation, trying to leave a property or responding to an unexpected event. Reaching into a pocket or bag, unlocking a phone and making a call may not be easy or appropriate.
There can also be a difference between having access to a phone and having a dedicated lone worker protection solution with an established monitoring and response process.
A personal alarm can provide another option.
What is a lone worker personal alarm?
A lone worker personal alarm is a dedicated device designed to allow an employee to raise an SOS alert when they need assistance.
Securitas personal alarm devices can be carried in a pocket, attached to a keyring or worn on a lanyard. A one-touch SOS function allows a worker to raise an alert, which can connect to the Securitas Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). Securitas operators can identify the worker's location, make contact and follow the agreed response procedure, including liaising with emergency services where appropriate.
For community-based healthcare workers, having a device that can be accessed quickly and discreetly can be an important consideration.
What happens outside normal office hours?
For organisations with employees working evenings and weekends, it is worth considering how an alert will be handled when the usual office or management team is unavailable.
A lone worker solution can provide a monitored route for raising an alert outside standard office hours.
Securitas provides 24/7 monitoring through its Alarm Receiving Centre. When an alarm is activated, the monitoring team can follow the agreed response process, communicate with the worker where possible and contact the appropriate emergency service if required.
The exact response should be agreed with the organisation in advance, based on its policies, risk assessment and the needs of its workers.
What if a worker cannot use their phone?
One of the advantages of a dedicated healthcare personal alarm is that it can provide an alternative to relying solely on a mobile phone.
For example, if a worker is unable to safely access their phone, a wearable personal alarm can provide a separate method of raising an SOS.
The aim is not to replace existing communication arrangements. Instead, it adds another option that can be considered as part of a wider lone working safety strategy.
Fall detection and man down protection
Not every emergency involves an employee being able to press a button.
A fall, accident or medical emergency could leave a worker unable to activate their device.
Some lone worker solutions therefore include automatic fall detection or man down functionality. Securitas devices can detect a qualifying fall or period of inactivity and automatically raise an SOS alert.
Welfare checks can also be configured for certain activities or periods of lone working, depending on the solution selected.
These features are not a substitute for appropriate procedures, training or supervision. They can, however, provide an additional layer of support where the risk assessment identifies a need.
Location information can support the response
Healthcare workers may visit several different properties or locations during a working day.
If an alert is raised, knowing where the worker is can help the monitoring team understand where assistance may be required.
Securitas lone worker solutions can use GPS, Wi-Fi and beacon technology to provide location information.
Location functionality should always be considered in the context of the organisation's policies and how the particular solution is configured.
Discreet protection for healthcare workers
For a lone worker alarm in healthcare, usability matters.
A device needs to be practical for the employee's normal working routine. If it is uncomfortable, difficult to carry or complicated to operate, it may not be suitable for the role.
Securitas offers different device options, including compact wearable devices, more robust devices for industrial environments and ATEX devices for hazardous areas. There is also a lone worker mobile application for organisations where a smartphone-based solution is more appropriate.
The right option depends on the employee's role, working environment and the risks identified through the organisation's assessment.
Lone worker protection is more than a device
A personal alarm is only one part of a wider approach to lone working.
Effective lone worker safety should consider the full working process, including:
- Identifying which employees work alone
- Assessing the risks associated with their roles
- Establishing suitable lone working procedures
- Providing appropriate training and information
- Considering check-in or welfare arrangements
- Providing a reliable method of raising an alert where appropriate
- Establishing who responds when an alert is received
- Considering arrangements outside normal working hours
- Reviewing incidents and near misses
- Regularly reviewing the effectiveness of the arrangements
The HSE has published guidance on lone working which highlights the importance of identifying lone workers, assessing the risks involved and putting appropriate control measures in place. Organisations should ensure that their own policies and arrangements reflect the specific circumstances of their workforce.
Technology can support these arrangements by providing a practical connection between a lone worker and a monitoring or response service.
Choosing the right healthcare lone worker solution
There is no single device that will be suitable for every healthcare worker.
The starting point should be the working environment and the risks identified by the organisation.
Questions to consider include:
- Where do employees work?
- How long are they typically alone?
- Do they work in people's homes or other unfamiliar environments?
- Do they work evenings or weekends?
- How would they raise an alert if they could not access their phone?
- Is automatic fall or man down detection appropriate?
- Is location information required?
- Would two-way communication be useful?
- Would a wearable device or mobile application be more practical?
- What should happen when an alert is raised?
- Who is responsible for responding?
Answering these questions can help organisations select technology that supports their existing lone working procedures.
Personal alarms, mobile apps and other security measures
A lone worker panic button does not have to operate in isolation.
Depending on the workplace, organisations may choose to combine personal alarms with other measures such as mobile applications, fixed panic buttons, access control, CCTV, remote monitoring, check-in procedures and other workplace security arrangements.
For community-based healthcare workers, a wearable personal alarm may be appropriate because the worker moves between locations.
For other roles, a smartphone application may be more suitable.
Some organisations may need different solutions for different groups of employees.
The important consideration is that the technology should reflect the actual working environment rather than assuming that every lone worker has the same requirements.
Supporting workers who work alone
Healthcare workers who provide services in the community need to be able to focus on their work while knowing that appropriate arrangements are in place should they need assistance.
A lone worker personal alarm can provide a discreet way to raise an SOS alert. When combined with appropriate monitoring, response procedures, training and risk assessment, it can form part of a broader approach to lone worker protection.
Securitas Ireland provides personal alarms, mobile solutions and 24/7 monitoring options designed for different lone working environments.
The available solutions can include SOS and duress alarms, fall and man down detection, GPS location, two-way communication, welfare checks and automated alerts.
For organisations looking at lone worker protection for healthcare workers, the right solution will depend on the role, environment and risks involved.
A practical approach to lone worker safety
The challenges associated with lone working are not unique to healthcare. However, community-based healthcare workers can spend significant periods away from colleagues and conventional workplace support.
That makes it important to consider what happens when a worker needs assistance and the usual communication arrangements are not sufficient.
A dedicated lone worker alarm, mobile application or combination of technologies may provide an additional way for employees to raise an alert and connect with support.
The starting point should always be the worker and the risks associated with their role. From there, organisations can consider the procedures, training and technology that best support their people.
Securitas Ireland can help organisations assess their lone worker requirements and explore options for a practical lone worker protection solution.
Talk to us about lone worker protection for your healthcare and community-based teams.
Explore lone worker personal alarms
Editorial note:
This article has been informed by a real account shared with Securitas concerning the challenges experienced by community-based healthcare workers. All identifying information, including the individuals, organisation and location, has been removed. The account is not presented as verification of any specific incident or as a legal finding regarding an employer's responsibilities. The article is intended to provide general information about lone worker protection and should be considered alongside relevant legislation, HSE guidance, organisational policies and professional advice.