Safeguarding Lone Workers 30 April 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has led to significant changes in the ways our security officers work, some multi-manned sites have become lone working sites.

At some premises officers have had their shifts changed due to customer needs. Where previously they had been asked to work during the evening, they are now being asked to maintain a daytime presence.  

Our operation colleagues are equally busy managing the increased workload of check calls and, at the same time, managing constantly changing customer needs. The key to making this all work is good communication.

Usually, a mobile patrol officer would provide welfare visits for lone workers but clearly this is not an option now. We are reliant on the staff portal, phone, and emails to communicate and ensure everybody is confident in their role and feels supported.  

We have provided staff working alone with safety devices. The devices feature sophisticated distress and panic alarms which can summon help from our 24-hour control room. Depending on the alert received our control room colleagues will either attempt to contact the person, or if the evidence suggests a serious threat call the police.