Lone Working Security for the Logistics Sector

More than six million people in the UK work either in isolation or without the safety net provided by direct supervision, often in places or circumstances that put them at potential risk.

A wide variety of organisations and industry sectors employ people whose jobs require them to work or operate alone, either regularly or occasionally. Almost by definition, lone working can be both intimidating and at times dangerous, so the protection of lone workers involves a twofold approach; not only to provide safeguards but also to offer reassurance to the people involved.

In the transport sector, lone workers often include ticket office and platform staff, train managers, engineers and delivery drivers. However, the transport sector is wide-ranging and employees in many other job roles can also benefit from lone worker protection.

What are the risks?

Job roles within the transport sector are extremely varied and wide-ranging, meaning that the nature of risk faced by employees can differ greatly. According to members of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) the groups facing the highest levels of risk are drivers, including those working in long-distance HGV road haulage, as well as LGV or local delivery drivers. Also at risk are those working on the railway network, at marinas and on buses and coaches.

According to a survey of BSIA members, physical violence is the biggest threat facing lone workers in the transport sector, in addition to armed robbery and verbal threats.

Organised criminals use increasingly sophisticated methods to carry out attacks, posing as police or security officers, or even causing deliberate accidents to force the driver to get out of the vehicle. This problem is not limited to UK shores, with attacks on British drivers abroad often not often reported.

Important considerations

As in any other UK industry that employs lone workers, transport companies have a legal duty of care to their employees, which can result in heavy fines and even imprisonment for directors and managers found negligent. However, can employers really argue in court that they have taken adequate protection measures for their staff, when the technologies they use only safeguard the vehicle?

Taking care of employees is a key driver of purchasing decisions in the transport sector, according to members of the BSIA’s Lone Worker Industry Group, with demand from insurers providing employee liability insurance also causing transport companies to sit up and take notice of the issue of lone worker protection. Increased awareness of employers’ responsibilities under health and safety and corporate manslaughter legislation are also generating increased interest in lone worker protection from transport companies.

In addition, consideration should be given to drivers with specific medical needs, such as diabetes, and drivers who have to undertake vehicle maintenance work, which could lead to a fall or injury.

What can be provided?

To address these important issues, the security industry has worked with the police and end-users to develop a combination of practice, technology and standards capable of providing an effective − and cost-effective - solution to the risks.

The development of technology and practice in the field has focused on encouraging and enabling lone workers to assess the risks they might be facing and provide them with the means both to summon aid in an emergency and collect information that can be used in evidence, if necessary. This has led to the creation of lone worker devices equipped with mobile phone technology that connect employees quickly and discreetly with an emergency response system that has direct links to the police.

Callmy Alert provides solutions

The Callmy Alert service provides such solutions, including a simple to use smartphone app and a discreet physical device. Callmy Alert services are connected to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), which receives and manages the alarm call (24x7) and can quickly request emergency services or other response if required. Sending a pre-activation message allows users to inform the ARC when they are entering a situation with a potential risk − e.g. before walking across a dark car park. If the user then experiences a problem or encounters a situation that seems likely to escalate into something more serious, the lone worker device can be activated to summon help.

Activating the Callmy alert SOS function automatically shares the end users contact details, their GPS location and provides direct audio access to the ARC. Operators monitor the audio channel in real time, enabling them to assess the situation and alert the police if the user needs help or protection. This procedure allows the police to optimise their response to genuine emergencies by providing a ‘moving picture’ of the incident, including an increase or decrease in risk as it happens. The very knowledge that this is taking place is, of course, a major boost to the user’s confidence. The ARC captures an audio recording of the incident for future action such as police investigation of legal proceedings.

Additional benefits and security

To provide further levels of security the Callmy Alert app provides a check-in facility, that can be configured to suit the operational environment or end users needs − reports are generated to see if users are missing check-ins and the service can also raise an alert to the ARC if a check-in deadline is missed.

Direct messages can also be sent to the end users Callmy Alert app, either individually or en masse, that alert the driver of situations that could affect their safety or productivity.

All management data that relates to lone working activity ss accessible via a web-based portal, which authorised administrators can access to monitor how their end users are interacting with the service.

Why is BS8484 important?

The development of British Standard BS8484, a Code of Practice for the provision of Lone Worker Services, has been a key element of the security industry’s work to create such solutions. BS8484 is employed and adhered to by all credible suppliers in the industry and forms the basis for police response to lone worker systems. Callmy Alert complies with the BS8484 standard.

Responsible employers will consider the health and safety of their lone workers as a top priority, and the use of BS8484 compliant lone worker devices/applications, such as Callmy Alert, can help by connecting such employees with an emergency response system that has direct links to the Police - BS8484 is the basis on which Police respond to lone worker systems.

Conclusion

Providing drivers with lone working technology will not only help companies to comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act, it will also help to promote a sense of wellbeing and demonstrate an employer’s duty of care. This will no doubt become a significant asset for recruiting and retaining staff.