NSC Presents New Research on Lone Worker Safety — Occupational Health & Safety

NSC Presents New Research on Lone Worker Safety

The study reveals strategies relating to lone worker monitoring.

• By Robert Yaniz Jr.
• Oct 18, 2023

As the number of lone workers continues to rise, so too do concerns about these workers’ safety. Now the National Safety Council (NSC) has released new data about how to take action to protect employees who operate predominantly in isolation from their colleagues.

As part of its Work to Zero initiative, the NSC recently released a comprehensive white paper titled “Using Lone Worker Monitoring Technology to Protect Workers.” According to a release dated Oct. 16, the document’s findings are based on academic databases and case studies. Its focus lies on the application of worker monitoring technologies—such as fall detection devices, proximity sensors, mobile apps and panic alarms—in remote settings.

The white paper identified three key benefits of introducing worker monitoring technologies to isolated work environments:

1. Enabling two-way communication: Many lone workers operate in areas with no cell phone coverage. Monitoring devices equipped with GPS capabilities bridge this gap, allowing immediate response to emergencies.

2. Enhancing safety capabilities: Monitoring devices offer additional Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) functionalities, detecting and alerting wearers to hazardous situations such as gas emissions, thermal exposure and proximity to dangerous machinery.

3. Increasing cost-savings: Monitoring devices streamline communication and enhance efficiency by eliminating the need for check-ins via email or phone calls.

The white paper also suggests operational audits, emergency response drills and data privacy measures to mitigate the limitations of such monitoring technology. The NSC even advises safety managers to consider industry-specific risks, scalability and technology integration when assessing which technology might best fit their organization’s lone work needs.

“Lone work can be beneficial for both organizations and employees, allowing for more flexibility and a greater utilization of resources, but this practice also comes with heightened risk for workers,’” Katherine Mendoza, senior director of workplace programs at NSC, said in a statement. “Every employee deserves to work in an environment where safety risks are minimized, and this white paper helps business leaders do just that by providing a playbook for understanding the unique hazards isolated workers face and how industry-specific technology can be used to save lives and prevent injuries.”

The NSC’s Work to Zero initiative aims to leverage technology to eliminate workplace fatalities. For more details on the program or how to access full reports, visit NSC’s Work to Zero website.