Remote location construction, logging or mining workers and transport truck drivers can also use the Here I Am App as it uses minimal cellular signals to send the data via Text Message.

Advancing technology has made it easier than ever before to work remotely. It’s an ongoing challenge to keep remote employees safe because they are not based in controlled working environments. Employers can mitigate the safety risks that their remote workers face to a degree by creating effective safety reporting protocols and establishing compulsory safety check-ins at regular intervals. Whether these check-ins get conducted after each project, site visit, or workday, digital or verbal check-ins can create an incident history. This can help to predict and avoid future safety risks.

Remote workers could have poor access to help either due to the nature of their work or their locations. They may work in locations or when it would be difficult to rescue them, provide medical support, or for emergency services personnel to reach them. Workers could also face additional challenges if they have nobody around to help them with challenging tasks, point out hazards, or provide guidance when they’re fatigued or making errors.

Another challenge for employers of remote workers is the ability to communicate when an incident or injury occurs. One key solution is to implement technological solutions that automatically track and report on a remote worker’s location and safety. Many wearable tools can locate employees on-demand and even function as emergency panic buttons. When a crisis occurs, the worker can simply press the button to speak to responders that can help them, and their employers get notified at the same time. 1

What does a lone worker look like?

Depending on your industry, a lone worker can look like someone on a high-voltage electrical tower or a person working the night shift at a convenience store. While there are differences from industry to industry, we have learned that there are specific characteristics that make lone workers special, across all areas, unique, including:

1. Workers who perform dangerously, vulnerable work such as field service operatives.

These people perform an assessment in remote locations, working in confined spaces, or separated from other co-workers by physical necessity. These risks are hazardous as help is not readily available.

2. Workers who travel and work alone like truck drivers.

Because of their circumstances, these people are at risk of accidents or emergencies that could be fatal if the response is not fast enough.

3. People working from home are considered lone workers.

An employer is responsible and liable for the accident or injury of a worker who is working from home.

4. Workers who travel away from the office and with their customers.

Home care workers and social service workers could be at increased risk of violence in the workplace with new patients and clients. Or they could be in at-risk and vulnerable circumstances while traveling to and from the office.

5. Employees at an isolated site like security guards.

People in these positions are at serious risk of violence (from people or animals) because they are isolated from the public view.

6. Lone workers who handle cash like taxi drivers.

These people are at risk of violence in their workplace, including physical threats, harassment, robberies, or other dangerous behavior that would require an immediate emergency response. 3

What does this mean to you? Basically, an accident can happen anywhere and at anytime.  Luckily, most people always carry their mobile or cell phone around with them, in a pocket, purse, backpack or side holster. With the Here I Am app on your phone, in the time of an accident where you might become partially incapacitated or unable to speak but still able to move, you’ll be able to send an emergency message to up to three of the contacts in your phone with just two clicks from your phone’s home screen. With the Here I Am App you’ll be letting your friends and family know when you need help and will be able to direct 9-1-1 to your exact location.

1. https://safetylineloneworker.com/blog/working-alone-managing-workplace-safety-issues-for-remote-employees – Accessed Aug. 3, 2022
2. https://safetylineloneworker.com/blog/lone-worker-incidents-in-the-workplace-it-is-more-common – Accessed Aug. 3, 2022
3. Ibid