Lone workers are exposed to numerous risks including human and environmental risks on a daily basis. Many of these risks can be significantly reduced by effective lone worker safety training. The need for dedicated training becomes more and more paramount and relevant, with recent headlines proving this point in an ever so apparent way. Over the past two month headlines included ‘Traffic warden attacked…’, ‘Warden punched by…..’’ and ‘Attack in NHS Hospital Every Three Minutes’ to name just a few.

The UK's Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) developed 18 case studies, approached over 400 organisations across a range of different professions, sent detailed questionnaires to all and conducted countless interviews. The outcome of these widely respected case studies is of great relevance to the need for effective lone worker safety training. In their case studies the HSL outlined a number of key risks:

 

 

The consequences of violence or aggression faced by lone workers at work have been well documented. The effects on the individual lone worker can include stress, anxiety, fear and depression, often resulting from having to deal with persistent verbal abuse.

 

All lone workers should be administered with, not only training for the physical hazards of their jobs, but the emotional aspects as well. There is a reason organisations have a Human Resource (HR) department. Take advantage of all of the recommended HR training, such as Lone Worker Safety Training, Violence in the Workplace or Conflict Management Training. It is an investment in the personal safety of lone worker, will save cost in the long run and above all prevent depression, stress, lack of confidence and many other issues within the workforce.