SafetyLine Lone Worker is happy to announce it was named a FrontRunner for Top EHS Management Software by Software Advice for March 2021. FrontRunners is designed to help small businesses evaluate which software products may be right for them.

There are so many things in the home and at work that we take for granted, that we just assume will turn on and function as we expect it to. The TV, the printer, the phone charger, or the dialysis machine – all items that need electricity to function. There are tens of thousands of electrical workers – in many capacities – working under the radar – and sometimes in dangerous situations, making sure that we continue to receive electricity to our homes and workplaces so that the technology like the examples mentioned above can work when you need it to. 

To all harassment and violence, hotels have begun to provide panic buttons to their staff, empowering them to immediately request help if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe. The situation is so urgent that several major hotel chains like Hilton and Hyatt have promised to equip their staff with panic buttons and worker safety technology

A good safety reputation is a crucial asset in attracting and retaining customers. It plays a significant role in building loyalty, cultivating a sense of community, and working towards brand advocacy amongst customers. A positive safety reputation also provides a sense of reassurance and confidence that customers are making the right choice when they choose you.

In order to minimize your risks and keep you safe while you are lone working, we’ve put together a list of tips and practices that workers should and shouldn’t do when working alone. Employers should also consider creating a lone worker safety program, a lone worker safety policy, and a lone worker check-in system, as well as providing a lone worker safety app and lone worker safety training.

According to the International Labor Organization, roughly 2.3 million workers succumb to work-related injuries and diseases from a wide range of safety risks and hazards - that works out to more than 6,000 deaths at work every day. But in which occupations do these injuries and deaths take place? What are the most dangerous occupations to work in? In an article from HR Director Canada, they list five of the most dangerous jobs in the world, highlighting why we should make workplace safety a priority.

Did you know that one in 12 jobs in the United States is dependent on the agriculture industry in some way? According to PayScale, more than 22 million workers were employed in an agriculture-related field in 2018. With contributions of over $100 billion to the US economy, the agriculture industry is a key driver of economic growth in the United States.

Why invest in workplace safety? Employees have the right to a safe and healthy workplace environment. If this is not the case, then workers will be inhibited from performing at their full potential. Productivity and safety go hand in hand. Thus, an organization that invests in safety will be rewarded with more productive employees. 

It is difficult and somewhat complicated to describe what a safe workplace is. However, just because it isn’t easy, that does not mean we should give up on this definition as the safety and wellbeing of our teams and our companies are at a serious stake.

At Safetyline Lone Worker, we have witnessed our partners, clients and even our own team members adapt and evolve to the ever-changing workplace environment

The hospitality industry captures a broad range of professions within the service sector, including food and drink services, lodging, transportation, event planning, and other jobs within the tourism industry. It contributed over $570 billion to the US economy in 2017, making it the second-largest contributor to the country’s GDP falling only behind the Government. According to Statista, the hospitality industry employed over 16.5 million Americans in 2018, representing a 2% increase from 2017.

On the SafetyLine blog, we have published articles about the constantly changing safety landscape, providing you with information that will help keep you safe while out on the job. So which blogs were the most popular and resonated with you most? Of the more than 50 blogs we published last year, here are the top 5 most-read blog posts by our awesome readers. 

SafetyLine Lone Worker protects workers in several essential industries such as community service, public utility, and local or municipal government. Here is what some of our appreciative customers have said about SafetyLine Lone Worker and how it has helped protect their teams when working alone.

Safety monitoring apps on smartphones like SafetyLine or simply a service that allows workers to check in, provide monitors GPS locations, and easily call for help in the event of an emergency. Most lone worker safety monitoring devices help employers easily determine the location and specific circumstances of their lone workers so that appropriate help can be sent quickly when

The many benefits of music and work

So just like you would invest in PPE or other equipment to keep your workers physically safe, you should also invest in steps that would improve their mental health. In fact, according to a 2005 study, The effect of music listening on work performance - music was found to improve both the worker’s mood and productivity.

It is no secret that lone workers are faced with infinitely more risks than many other workers within a company, given the isolated nature of their work. Any organization that employs lone workers must provide those workers with the necessary knowledge and tools to work safely. A lone worker policy is an effective way to ensure that your lone workers are well-educated on your company’s work-alone rules and have extensive knowledge of all workplace hazards that could be encountered on the job. It’s a useful tool that ensures both employers and employees know the risks

The safety needs of your team can be complicated and sometimes costly. But as the employer, it is your responsibility to provide everything possible to protect your staff who, in some cases, may be putting their safety at risk to do their job. Include the added layer of COVID-19 protection and the requirements of your workers become significantly more challenging and complex as you are now looking at not only safety and mental health needs, but what is essential to increased remote work and considerations around new social distancing guidelines.

As the temperatures plummet and the snow, ice and rain increase, slip and fall injuries see a spike, particularly for those working in these conditions. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2017, there were more than 20,000 work injuries related to ice, sleet and snow. The workers most at risk are obviously those working outside, facing the elements including farmers, fishermen, snow cleanup staff, first responders like paramedics, construction workers, security personnel, and community healthcare workers.

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and whatever holiday you’ll be celebrating is going to be different this year. There might be socially distanced get-togethers with family (if at all), the annual shopping trips to the mall will be replaced with online orders and for many of us, we will be celebrating and working in our homes where there will be unique safety hazards that have never really been considered before the pandemic. While this season may feel like uncharted waters, there are a number of holiday safety hazards in the home that can be eliminated, or at least mitigated, to ensure your safety while working from home.

Investing in safety isn’t just buying reflective jackets, at least on its own. It’s something that is ongoing and involves a lot of reflecting on how your organization manages risk, protects employees, and actively works towards introducing incremental changes that can add up over time.

As we approach the final month of a surreal year, the temperatures continue to plummet and depending on where you live, snow, sleet and rain will fall even harder. Here in rainy Pacific Northwest where SafetyLine’s headquarter is located, winter brings us increasingly wet streets, walkways, and surfaces, resulting in more injuries (some very serious) from slips, trips and falls at work, at home, and in public.