{"id":1508,"date":"2020-03-20T10:47:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-20T00:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jmsapp.com.au\/how-journey-management-plans-protect-lone-workers\/"},"modified":"2024-04-02T16:01:02","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T06:01:02","slug":"how-journey-management-plans-protect-lone-workers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jmsapp.com.au\/how-journey-management-plans-protect-lone-workers\/","title":{"rendered":"How journey management plans protect lone workers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lone workers face unique risks and hazards in the line of work and properly protecting them requires robust journey management planning.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Workers that operate alone \u2013 especially behind the wheel of a vehicle \u2013 face unique challenges as part of the duties that need to be included in company safety policies and mitigated for Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) compliance.<\/p>\r\n

Over 1.3 million fatalities occur on the road around the world every single year and 22 countries globally have changed or amended their road safety legislation between 2015-18 alone.<\/p>\r\n

This is amplified for those that are lone workers and driving as part of their job \u2013 especially in rural or remote areas \u2013 because of factors like fatigue, driver error, engine failures and numerous other road hazards.<\/p>\r\n

Not only does working remotely and being mobile as part of your job expose you to road hazards, accidents and failures, it also means poor access to emergency services because of low mobile signals, availability and knowledge of where you are located.<\/p>\r\n

There are three different types of lone worker that each face their own unique challenges when it comes to workplace safety. They include:<\/p>\r\n

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Public-facing lone workers<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

This includes the likes of primary healthcare administrators like doctors, nurses and other allied health professionals with home delivery of these services becoming more and more common.<\/p>\r\n

It can also include those in the transport industry like delivery drivers, bus operators and those in public transport.<\/p>\r\n

There are many other industries that fall into this category as well, with roles like sales representatives and area or district managers often operating remotely, on their own.<\/p>\r\n

The primary risk associated with public-facing lone workers comes directly from the people they serve.<\/p>\r\n

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Fixed-location lone workers<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

These are workers that are not mobile for their job but have little or no interaction with other people as part of their duties.<\/p>\r\n

This is especially prevalent in the construction and building industries, where security guards, machine operators and shift workers may often work on their own.<\/p>\r\n

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Mobile workers<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

There are many industries where travel is a large part of the job function, especially in the resources sector including mining, oil, gas and renewables.<\/p>\r\n

Lone workers are required to travel between job sites as part of their role, often in rural and remote locations and across long distances.<\/p>\r\n

This brings in a raft of safety hazards, including vehicle malfunctions, accidents, animal strikes and other incidents that could leave a worker stranded \u2013 possibly injured \u2013 in a remote location.<\/p>\r\n

There are many other industries that have mobile lone workers as well, including local governments (councils), utility workers, truck drivers and couriers.<\/p>\r\n

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Road safety risks<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Driving is the most dangerous activity than any worker will undertake as part of their duties.<\/p>\r\n

There is a range of hazards that can cause harm or leave a worker isolated and in need of assistance including:<\/p>\r\n