The holidays are a happy and busy time of year. However, this season is not without risks. Lone workers, in particular, face a range of unique hazards over the holidays. It’s crucial to take steps to protect your workforce. Lone worker safety is required by law in Canada, so it’s your responsibility to keep employees safe as they work alone. CommAlert can help you do that.
Heightened risks during the holidays
Longer or different shifts
During the holidays, workers may work longer shifts or have a different schedule than they’re used to. Sometimes, these schedules are unavoidable. The typical holiday rush can mean that employees must work longer than usual or pick up shifts at irregular times to cover for holidaying coworkers. Employees can get tired while working extended shifts or overtime, increasing the risk of accidents. The same can happen if they find themselves working later at night or earlier in the morning than they’re used to.
Adverse weather conditions
In Canada, the holiday season often coincides with extreme winter weather. Lone workers must contend with winter storms, ice, snow, and limited daylight. Consequently, it’s crucial to implement lone worker monitoring to ensure their safety during their commutes to and from work, as well as any driving during their shifts.
More traffic
More traffic for holiday shopping and events means more accidents. Plus, more holiday parties also mean more impaired drivers on the roads, which translates to more traffic accidents and higher risk for lone workers. In some cases, lone workers (such as delivery personnel) may speed up in adverse conditions to make up for time lost in traffic. This increases the likelihood that they will cause or be involved in a car accident. Similarly, the heightened prevalence of intoxicated drivers puts all drivers at risk.
Increased social tensions
Unfortunately, the holiday season does not bring out the best in everyone. Retail workers, in particular, experience heightened aggression from frustrated customers. Meanwhile, hospitality workers are often confronted with intoxicated, aggressive, and angry clients. If your business involves public-facing staff during the holidays, it’s important to implement safety procedures to keep your workers safe, especially if they also work alone.
Ensuring worker safety
Review safety procedures
Before the holiday rush is fully underway, take some time to review your business’s safety practices and protocols regarding lone workers. Ensure that your current precautions are up-to-date and can accommodate the added risk of the holidays. Identify the season-specific situations that could put your workers at risk and take steps to mitigate these issues.
Communicate with workers
Additional instruction, training, and communication can keep lone workers safe during holidays. Discuss potential hazards with your workforce so they understand what to be aware of and what to do if something goes wrong. Make sure everyone is aware of the correct procedures, so they stay safe.
Lone worker monitoring
Lone worker monitoring is essential, no matter the time of year. Most places in Canada require it by law, and it is crucial for keeping your employees safe. CommAlert offers lone worker monitoring solutions that can be customized to your specific business needs. We check in with employees at the start of their shift and periodically throughout so we know that they’re safe. If they miss a check-in, we initiate emergency procedures.
Contact CommAlert today to learn more about our lone worker monitoring service.
