Lone Worker Safety Tips

Do you often find yourself alone on the job?? Maybe you are a real estate agent, therapist, ride-share driver, or utility worker who spends every day in your field alone. Being a lone worker comes at a risk, which is why we are providing the top lone worker safety tips.

Dangers for Lone Workers

Whether you are exposed to potential hazards without the help of another trained professional or are entering the personal space of a client, being a lone worker has its risks. Let's use a real estate agent as an example. Real estate agents often have to enter empty homes with little to no knowledge of who else may be joining them. There are dozens of things that could go wrong, but it doesn't change the fact that it is a part of the job. So, what steps could they take as a lone worker?

Lone Worker Safety Tips

1. Identify Potential Hazards
When you enter a new space as a worker, you need to identify potential hazards alone or not. You never want to assume that you are 100% safe. Potential hazards are anything that looks out of the ordinary and could include unsafe equipment, unfriendly dogs, individuals who were not supposed to be there, and more. You need to trust your instincts when it comes to safety. If you feel uncomfortable, then leave and report it to a supervisor if you have one. You want to avoid unnecessary risks, and remember that your safety is always the priority.

2. Have a Known Schedule
When going from job to job, you want to have a known schedule. Your schedule should include where you are going to be (address, contact info, etc.) and how long you expect to be there. The information should then be shared and monitored by a point of contact, whether that is a supervisor or a trusted individual.

3. Create Safety Words

There may come a time when you are put into an uncomfortable or dangerous situation and cannot directly express your concern to your point of contact. This is when having safety words is crucial. You and your point of contact must have a set of unique and memorable words that signal your need for help, whether it is for them to call you or to call emergency services.

4. Use a Safety Device

While having friends, family, or even a supervisor aware of your work schedule and safety words is excellent; it isn't 100% effective. Your point of contact has their own life and cannot be responsible for monitoring your every move or have their phone on them 24/7. That is why you need Ripple Safety.

Ripple Safety is a discreet safety device that alerts Ripple’s 24/7 professional monitoring center when you activate it. With just a push of a button, our expert monitoring team can dispatch Police or EMS directly to your location without you having to say a single word. Whether you simply feel uncomfortable and need a phone call, or you have an emergency situation and just moments to act, our team is always there to keep you safe.. To learn more about our device and how it can improve lone worker safety, click HERE.