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Almost 1/5 of Lone Workers Struggled to Get Help After Accident

Almost 1/5 of Lone Workers Struggled to Get Help After Accident

Feb. 24, 2022
And 44% of lone workers also felt unsafe while at work when out of cell range, according to a new study.

Lone workers have a tough job and feeling safe is a major concern. In a recent survey conducted by TrackPlus, almost one in five (19%) lone worker professionals report having an accident and struggled to get help, while almost half (44%) stated they felt unsafe while at work. The survey was completed by 250 lone workers and individuals responsible for the safety and supervision of lone workers in North America.

At issue is how lone workers remain safe and connected when out of cellular range. The survey found that less than one-third (32%) of respondents confirmed they were able to track the location of a lone worker out of cell phone range. 

Moreover, only 49% of respondents reported having the ability to both send and receive messages while lone workers were out of cell phone range. This figure remained the same when recipients were asked whether they had a procedure that could always be followed (even if there had been an accident or equipment failure), that enabled messages to be sent and received without cell phone reception. 

As Ben Travers, group product director at Ground Control, explains, “it’s imperative organizations and workers continually evaluate their equipment and procedures. For example, the sunsetting of 3G in the U.S. is imminent. Many devices within IoT (Internet of Things), including wearable medical equipment and fire alarms, still operate on 3G networks. And 3G devices are used in an array of industries, from aviation to trucking. So, there will be some organizations who soon find their devices are no longer fit for purpose.”

With regard to communication needs, overall the study found that 28% of respondents reported daily check-ins with their lone workers, 39% weekly and 45% as needed on a demand basis. Just 17% confirmed having a tracking system that allows lone workers to check-in themselves, and over 10% disclosed checking in multiple times per day. If managers and supervisors were able to confirm worker safety and location without the formality of check-in, it enables them to spend their expertise and time elsewhere.  

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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