lone worker contractor.

Managing a Lone Worker in The Workplace

By Jesse KeremaDigital Marketing Manager
Published on February 16, 2020

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Managing in-house workers has its own set of rules and regulations. The same goes for lone workers, who are often treated like in-house workers.

The thing is, lone workers are not like your regular staff.

Lone workers often face unique challenges and risks during the course of their duties, ranging from accidents to no-shows.

That’s why you need to make sure you do two things: establish safe working arrangements and assess the working requirements of your lone workers.

The good thing is that you can manage your lone workers using a visitor or contractor management system.

Automated worker management systems help companies ensure the safety and productivity of your lone workers, keeping them protected and monitored at all times.

Here are five ways a visitor management system can help you manage your lone workers.

But first, some context!

What is a lone worker?

Simply put: a lone worker is someone who works by themselves without close or direct supervision.

Keep in mind that it doesn’t mean that they are physically alone; it means they’re separated from the rest of the team or the manager.

As of today, 46% of the UK workforce in full-time employment count themselves as lone workers and 16% in the US only.
Sadly, lone workers are exposed to risk and compliance issues because there’s no one to assist them.
On the other hand, that doesn’t mean employers aren’t responsible for the welfare of their lone workers, which is why you need to manage them carefully.

Examples of a lone worker

Take a look at these examples. Chances are one or more of your employees are, in fact, lone workers.

  • People in small workshops, gas stations, and shops
  • Workers in research and training facilities
  • Agricultural or forestry workers
  • Cleaners and security guards
  • Sales representatives
  • Construction workers
  • Real estate agents
  • Social workers

How can a visitor management app help your lone workers?

As we’ve already mentioned, you should stop considering lone workers as distant workers. In fact, it’s more than possible that you’ve interacted with a lone worker during your workday.

The only issue with this is that lone workers are often less protected than their in-house counterparts. Normally, lone workers are under higher risk than any other employee in your company because of the sensitive nature of their jobs.

In a nutshell, a visitor management app can help you mitigate risks, but that’s not the only reason you should invest in a contractor management system.

Take a look at these five features that can help you manage your lone workers.

Sign in using a check-in app

A mobile check-in app helps you capture attendee data, update workers’ lists and profiles, create customizable badges, and notify your team in real-time.

This is pretty important when it comes to managing your lone workers, because a check-in app can be the difference between knowing whether or not Dan, your plumber, came to work today to check those leaky faucets.

But fear not. With a check-in app like Sine, your workers coming to work won’t go unnoticed -- once Dan arrives, the person in charge gets a notification that he arrived.

Get analytics and reports

Like we’ve said before: accidents happen. But if you use a check-in app to manage your lone workers, you reduce the chances of your data getting into the hands of unscrupulous people.

With a visitor management system, your front desk worker can help you pull analytics and reports about performance and attendance.

With a tool like Sine, you can manage your check-in processes and keep track of all your sites and devices, enabling you to customize, collaborate, and communicate with your workers.

Check your lone workers’ ID

Let’s say you have an unmanned worksite. How do you know that your lone workers are performing adequately?

Or worse, that your employers are who they say they are, and that your electrician actually went himself instead of sending his still unskilled apprentice to do his job?

Easy: with an ID-checking app. With an app, your lone workers can check in with a couple of clicks. Or even better, you can set up a sign-in kiosk in your workplace to make sure that your workers have signed in and out from their workplace.

Geofence your workplace

A check-in app with a geofencing feature enables you to place a virtual fence around your site.

With a geofence, your lone workers coming to your workplace can check in before even entering your worksite.

With our geofence feature, your workers get a notification once they’re close to your workplace, prompting them to check-in and get an accurate view of who’s really on your site and who has left.

Send SMS notifications

Managing lone workers can be a hassle, especially if you have to chase them around to give them instructions.

A visitor management system is the best tool for processing and tracking guests because you can talk to your workers quickly and privately.

With a visitor management app, you can send SMS notifications to your lone workers notifying them about whatever you need them to know.

Find out more about how Sine’s mobile app can help with your visitor and worker management. You can also find out Lone Worker FAQs here.

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