Returning to work after Covid-19 for Lone Workers

emergency response

Returning to work is what everyone desperately wants, but it might not be so easy, and it definitely won’t be the same. Our lives have changed due to Covid-19, but as a group we will have to adapt to our new normal. Working from Home During the Crisis As a result of the enforced quarantine, …

Read more

As a Lone Worker can I use my phone whilst driving in Canada?

Canadaian lone worker legislation and regulations

With the exception of Nunavut, all Canadian Provinces and territories have banned talking on hand-held phones and texting while driving which will certainly affect lone workers. There are additional regulations on the use of electronic devices like GPS or satnav that should be looked at on a province by province basis. To read a comprehensive …

Read more

How International Driving Laws affect Lone Workers

Many people are lone workers who drive for work and for them their vehicle is their office. However, to keep people safe, new legislation is being introduced all over the world to restrict the use of mobile phones whilst driving. See below to find out how to comply with the laws where you work. Map …

Read more

Using your Lone Worker App when Driving in the US

Lone Working Legislation and Policy in the USA

Lone workers need protection no matter where they are, and this includes in a vehicle. It seems that the topic of using a phone or lone worker app whist driving is quite a contentious one. While some people may need to use their phone for driving, especially if they are a lone worker, you cannot …

Read more

Worker Down not ‘Man Down’

subcontratcor health and safety program

As the number of working women continues to increase in most industry areas (including lone workers), language needs to adapt at the same rate. Using the term ‘Man Down’ for the motion detection feature in a lone worker system no longer seems appropriate. The ‘Man Down’ Feature The ‘Man Down’ (Worker Down’) function notifies a …

Read more

WhatsApp Available for Ok Alone Lone Worker Notifications

Monitors can get lone worker alerts in WhatsApp

Ok Alone incorporated WhatsApp into its lone worker system. Get monitor and worker notifications through WhatsApp when working alone. The system is available to use all over the world. This great service means your company and you can stay in touch even when there is no network coverage, as long as there is wifi. WhatsApp …

Read more

Top 8 Features of a Lone Worker App for 2023

Holding a lone worker app

As we move forward into 2023, the ever-changing landscape of work makes it crucial for employees to maintain strong connections with their colleagues and employers – especially when they are working alone. Utilizing a lone worker app enables workers to stay safe and no matter where they are—whether at home or off-site. Ok Alone stands …

Read more

Man Down Injury Statistics 2017-18

A man down lone worker

Here are some man down injury statistics for 2017-2018. Between 1974 and 2018 there has been an estimated reduction of workplace fatalities by an enormous 85%! ¹ From over 600 fatalities in 1974 down to 144 for the year 2017/18². That is a fantastic result for workplace safety. However, there are still many workplace related …

Read more

Lone Working in HVAC and the Trades

Technician is checking outdoor air conditioner unit

What are HVAC and the Trades? There are many different occupations that fall into the HVAC and Trades category: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Plumbers, Electricians, Roofers, Carpenters and many, many more. The May 2020 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for the United States has 656,5100 registered Electricians.¹ They also state the number of Heating, …

Read more

Lone Working in Schools

Holding a lone worker app

When you think of schools, you don’t often think of someone being on their own, but in reality, many people become lone workers throughout the school day. Who is a lone worker? Key holders: Being the first person on site opening up the school and turning all the lights on or the last person locking …

Read more

Ofsted Guidelines for Lone Working in Schools

Ofsted Guidelines for Lone Working in Schools

Ofsted states that all schools must have an up to date Health and Safety policy¹. Health and safety laws require schools to assess risks and put in place proportionate control measures. All schools should regularly monitor and review their health and safety policies to ensure they are reducing risks. Investigating Lone Worker Incidents in Schools …

Read more

Protecting Lone Working Security Guards in the US

Working as a Security Guard is a particularly dangerous occupation in the US. On average, security officers suffer injuries at more than twice the rate of the average worker. In some countries nearly two private security officers are killed on duty for every police officer fatality. ¹ The incidence rate for injuries to security guards …

Read more

How Lone Working affects Grooms, Stable Hands and Farriers in the U.K

How Lone Working affects Grooms, Stable Hands and Farriers in the U.K

The estimated horse population, including both private and professional ownership, in the United Kingdom is just below one million horses (988,000)¹ . There are around 2,800 registered farriers¹ and around 77,000 Animal care service occupations which include Grooms and Stable Hands² . Looking at horse related accident statistics, we find that in 2014 there were …

Read more

How Lone Working affects Grooms, Stable Hands and Farriers in North America

How Lone Working effects Grooms, Stable Hands and Farriers in North America

The American Horse Council, has reported that the United States has a horse population of approximately 10.31* million and that the horse industry supports 1.4 million jobs in the United States¹. The horse industry directly employs 701,946 people (full-time, part-time and seasonal), which equates to 453,612 full-time equivalent jobs. These full-time equivalent jobs are in the …

Read more

Reducing Workplace Accidents

lone worker

The Health and Safety Executive in the United Kingdom have released the statistics for workplace injuries and deaths from 2017-2018. During the 12-month period there were 144 workers who died in accidents at work and 555,000 work place injuries. The Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety’s figures for the same year show 951 deaths …

Read more

Are your Lone Workers Stressed?

lone worker safety system

There are many different things you need to think about and be aware of if you have staff who are lone working, or you are a lone worker. Being the only person in the workplace and having no one to confer with or being on the road with an endless list of jobs to do …

Read more

The California Consumer Privacy Act

Lone Working Legislation and Policy in the USA

The California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 was approved by the California State Governor on June 28th 2018 and went into effect on January 1st 2020. This is considered to be the absolute toughest data privacy law in the United States. ¹ Personal Data The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) gives consumers more control over the personal …

Read more

Improving the Safety of Employees who Drive for Work

Improving safety for employees who drive for work, from Ok Alone

Angelina Robinson and Rick Walters from Road Safety at Work BC. recently hosted a webinar, ‘Improving safety for employees who drive their own vehicles for work’.  Amongst the many interesting ideas they shared, one thought-provoking fact really stood out – ‘Any vehicle being used for work becomes the workplace,’ this then means that legal requirements …

Read more