When we think of lone worker protection, we often think of those who work alone in high-risk settings. Working alone on night shift, in confined spaces, at heights, or in industrial environments seems particularly dangerous and requires lone worker monitoring. However, drivers present a large population of lone workers too.
Lone drivers include delivery drivers, taxi or ride-sharing drivers, truckers, and people travelling near or far for business trips. These workers should have journey management or lone worker monitoring system in place to keep them safe. Here’s why:
They’re alone and always moving
Drivers are never at the same place for very long, so tracking them in emergencies can be challenging. Drivers also don’t have much control over the environment they’re working in or how it can change throughout their shift. Finally, because there is rarely someone keeping tabs on them, it makes them susceptible to risk without anyone there to help.
CommAlert’s comprehensive lone worker solution keeps tabs on drivers throughout their day. We tailor check-in procedures to meet each individual’s workday and needs. For example, some drivers might need check-ins at the start and end of a journey. Others might require multiple check-ins throughout the day. Lone drivers also can update their check-in procedure if their plan or schedule for the day changes. While they can’t control their changing environment, we can ensure someone knows where they were and where they’re going. Lone worker monitoring for drivers ensures someone looks out for them every time they get behind the wheel.
Weather is always changing
The severity of risk for a typical driver can change as often as the weather. When you drive for a living, you usually can’t skip workdays due to poor weather conditions. If a driver is caught in a storm or gets in an accident, lone worker monitoring makes sure help is on the way. Work alone monitoring is essential for those who travel outside of city limits for their work, especially in remote areas. If someone gets stuck out in a winter storm and no one knows they’re in trouble, it can be a life or death situation.
Help during emergencies
The weather isn’t the only factor to consider as a challenge for lone drivers. Theft of cargo is also a rare but serious and occurring issue. While transport fleet drivers might receive training for these situations, most everyday delivery or ride-share drivers do not. With the increase of home deliveries for a range of goods, theft is becoming more of a problem. Having lone worker monitoring in place will make sure someone is looking in on the driver. A call centre agent can also initiate an emergency call-out procedure if a driver finds themselves in trouble.
Health emergencies can also occur, whether you’re making deliveries or on a simple business trip. For example, if a severe medical emergency happens on the road, and the driver cannot call for help, their lone worker monitor will be alerted when they miss a check-in. From there, a call-out procedure will take place to track the driver and ensure help gets sent as soon as possible.
Learn more about our safety and tracking services. For more information, please give us a call.
