Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act, introduced in 2007, applies to both public and private sectors. As a result, senior managers face significant challenges in their responsibilities for Lone Workers. At a minimum, they must undertake appropriate health and safety risk assessments, and need to put contact procedures in place for emergencies so that the alarm can be raised.
Figures from the Health and Safety Executive suggest that public sector workers are the most likely victims of serious violence.
According to its 2008 report, six out of the 10 recognised public sectors are affected by the country’s highest rates of violence.
Safety becomes even more critical and difficult to manage when staff work outside, often having little or no contact with colleagues.
A report by Hallamshire University in 2007 highlighted that nurses are particularly at risk from violent crime. The report concluded that two-thirds of respondents (66.1%) claimed their employer did not know their whereabouts or only 'sometimes' knew their whereabouts when they were working.
Orange, working with Guardian24 and Securitas Alert Services, helped a Primary Care Trust (PCT) in the North East of England tackle this issue head-on.
Using innovative GPS technology, 1,000 lone workers are now equipped with an Identicom device, keeping them in touch with hospital headquarters, the police and colleagues wherever they are.
Background
Trade Unions and the Government are driving the need for more protection for Lone Workers. Today, the responsibility of Lone Worker Safety is firmly in the hands of the employer.
Challenge
Serving approximately 300,000 local residents, a PCT based in the North East of England needed to meet government legislation requirements and help senior management ensure diligence in their duty of care for its 1,000 Lone Workers.
What is the solution?
During discussions with Orange, Guardian24 and Securitas Alert Services, it was decided that all the Trust’s Lone Workers would be provided with the Guardian24 Identicom device, fully integrated with the Orange network.
Deliberately designed to look and feel like a normal identity cardholder, all Lone Workers at the Trust now benefit from a discreet credit card-sized GPS device that triggers alarms, provides exact details of their location to third party companies or the police – and a call and text function to remain in touch with the Trust, colleagues and patients.
Benefits
Once activated, Identicom can open a call to a dedicated and responsible 3rd party, where the call can be managed, recorded and if necessary, escalated for an immediate response.
Using an Orange SIM, the Identicom device can also be used to trigger automatic text messages to be sent directly to colleagues and headquarters over the Orange network.
With a discreet activation button, workers can also alert potential issues without exposing themselves to unnecessary risk.
The device can also record discussions with patients, which can later be used as evidence in cases of physical or verbal abuse. The device also offers the ability to operate on a timer mechanism. Failure to respond to the timer, for instance after visiting a patient, will initiate an alert status. However, most important for the confidence of lone workers, is the knowledge that wherever they are, the reach of Orange’s integrated data network enables the GPS technology to work, giving the Trust immediate visibility of their location (within three metres).
“NHS home workers provide an invaluable public service, but sadly, security remains a major concern for both the employee and employer. Unlike many other professions, lone workers in the NHS are often out of reach, working in isolation and with little contact with the Trust. Solutions such as the Identicom card help employers take back control of their employees’ welfare. But that’s not all, it gives lone workers the confidence they need to walk into any environment and provide the care and service that the public has come to expect and deserve.”
Geoff Hayter, Executive Director, Guardian24
“Technology has advanced to a stage now where it is able to shape the way we all work and live. This is a great example of how technology is not just providing financial savings – but helping to ensure the security and welfare of lone workers. We look forward to working in partnership with innovative companies such as Guardian24 and Securitas Alert Services in providing British lone workers with the tools to feel safe, confident and in turn, more able to provide effective home care services.”
Bob Pisolkar, Head of Public Sector, Orange UK