How do I know which is the best solution for me?
The locations in which your lone workers operate, the work they do and their access to communications determine the prevailing risks and inform the response that is needed in an emergency situation.
Environmental risks versus risks from the public
There are two main types of risk that lone workers can be exposed to:
- People-based risks such as aggression from members of the public or
- Environmental based risks such slips, trips and falls whilst working in hazardous or remote locations.
You need to establish which risk type your lone workers are predominantly exposed to and what the most suitable emergency response would be in a crisis. Where your lone workers work and their individual roles are contributing factors to understand this. You also need to consider ways in which they can communicate with you and raise the alarm in the event of an emergency.
Understanding risk is crucial to choosing the best solution for you.
Outdoor land-based lone workers such as forestry contractors, road and infrastructure inspectors, powerline and vegetation maintenance workers routinely operate in rural or isolated environments and will be more at risk from environmental factors. The most suitable emergency response for these types of lone workers is mountain rescue, coastguard or air ambulance rather than the police. In addition, more than likely they will have limited or no mobile phone reception. You will therefore need a satellite-based lone worker monitoring system.
Lone workers such as housing inspectors and community nurses working in urban areas may be more at risk from the public due to offensive behaviour or assault. The emergency response most appropriate for them is usually the police. Ordinarily they will have access to reliable mobile phone coverage therefore their lone worker monitoring solution would be a mobile app based solution.
Some lone workers may be exposed to a combination of both environmental and people-based risks and you will need to consider the best response and method of communication for them.
Explaining the Trackplot options
We offer two different options to suit your needs, Trackplot World and Trackplot Mobile.
Trackplot World uses communication satellites and Trackplot Mobile uses the mobile phone network to work. If your lone workers have no, poor or unreliable mobile phone reception in the locations they work then they will use Trackplot World. If they have access to strong, reliable mobile phone reception in the locations where they work then they will use Trackplot Mobile. If your lone workers operate across a number of locations where sometimes they have mobile phone coverage and sometimes not, they will use a blend of both Trackplot World and Trackplot Mobile.
Watch this video to understand the differences between Trackplot World and Trackplot Mobile:
Get in touch and we can advise on the best solution to suit the needs of your lone workers.