Be Safe and Secure by Prioritizing Lone Worker Security

The importance of prioritizing lone worker safety

Lone workers are constantly exposed to a wide range of safety risks, including accidents, injuries, and even violent attacks. With no immediate backup or support, these workers are at a higher risk of serious harm or injury. Therefore, it’s essential to prioritize their safety and well-being.

By prioritizing the security of lone workers, it not only ensures their safety but also demonstrates the company’s commitment to their employees’ well-being. This has a knock on effect of creating a safer work environment, a positive safety culture, boosts employee morale and productivity. It also reduces the risk of costly lawsuits, damages, and lost productivity due to workplace accidents and injuries.

The growing need for lone worker safety and security

One company researching lone worker security is Berg Insight,  the IoT analyst firm. They have been researching the subject of lone workers and the security solutions they use since 2015. In each report the number of lone workers, solutions available and the value of this market has steadily grown.

 In 2017 Berg Insight stated the number of users of dedicated work alone security devices based on GPS and cellular technology on the European market was estimated to grow from 500,000 users in 2017 to reach 1.1 million users at the end of 2022. They predicted in North America, the number of such users would grow from 155,000 in 2017, to reach 375,000 at the end of 2022. 

Were their lone worker security predictions correct?

Berg Insight’s report from August of this year shows how close their predictions were. Their findings show that the estimated user base of lone worker security solutions in Europe and North America had grown from 655,000 and was already 1.1 million at the end of 2020! The industry has grown so extensively that it is well on its way to the predicted total of 1.4 million by the end of 2022.

This year’s report has given new predictions for 2025. Berg Insight predict that for Europe and North America the market value for lone worker security solutions and services is anticipated to grow to € 190 million by the end of 2025 and that there could be as many as 1.8 million users.

How can you enhance your security for Lone Workers?

The number of people working alone in hazardous and exposed environments keeps increasing. It is vital that companies who have lone workers implement a multi-faceted worker safety and security program consistent with their local duty of care standards. Workers who work alone or are in a remote location for periods of time need to have access to a panic button, or other methods of communication, especially if there is a risk of violence. Using a lone worker security system allows security officers, or whoever is monitoring staff, to have an exact location if the worker should need the emergency services. 

As mentioned above, lone worker security devices are becoming more crucial to care workers, construction workers, field service workers, mobile workers, maintenance workers, social workers, as well as a wide variety of other services like taxi drivers and bus drivers who are at a higher level for potential risks. Such devices allow people working outside of normal business hours or in potentially dangerous situations, where there is limited supervision or no direct supervision, to have peace of mind. As the apps use timed check ins, there is regular contact with supervisors, and that can be a lifeline to workers. Especially if there is an accident or man-down situation where workers cannot contact supervisors directly. 

Features of Lone Worker Safety Solutions