Check your facts! BS8484

Most organisations seeking a lone worker solution in the UK are aware of BS8484, the British Standard for a lone worker device service. If you aren't aware then in simple terms, BS8484 covers off not just the lone worker device requirements, monitoring and response requirements but it also covers the financial standing of a supplier and the insurances they must keep.

However, some unscrupulous companies are claiming 'compliance' with the standard without being any more specific about their solutions and whether or not they as a company have been audited against the whole of the standard.

I guess its like everything in life...you shouldn't necessarily believe what someone tells you!

To prove compliance, ask for a copy of an audit certificate and check that the company has been audited against the whole of the standard. The risk is that if you dont, then the supplier may not be able to provide as thorough solution as you had hoped and worst still, may not be able to escalate an incident through to the police when required.

Budget cuts likely to increase lone working..

Whilst the dust cloud of uncertainty remains, I'm starting to pick up evidence that budget cuts are likely to introduce more lone working practices and risk. Many organisations, public and private sector (in different countries too) are looking at how services which used to be carried out by two staff can now be carried out by one. Clients in the retail sector are reducing store staff at non-peak times, the Forestry Commission announced job cuts this week which will lead to more lone working and NHS staff are being asked to lone work during hours and in locations where previously two staff would operate.

Its quite obvious for employers to think this way so I'm not surprised. however, only the savvy employers are immediately understanding (or considering) health & safety risk factors that might arise when practices are changed. We have been delighted these past few months to work with a number of clients to help not only train staff on lone worker risk but also to help employers implement technology solutions that help provide the peace of mind a lone worker may need.