Lone Worker Software – RSA’s Massive Gap in Lone Worker Health & Safety

What Is a Lone Worker?

A lone worker is any employee who works without direct and immediate support from colleagues or supervisors. In simple terms, if no one can see or hear them during their duties, they are considered to be lone working—whether for an entire shift or just a portion of it. The implementation of Lone Worker Software is essential for ensuring their safety.

But lone work doesn’t always mean complete isolation. You may be surprised at just how many situations actually qualify:

With the right Lone Worker Software, employers can monitor and support employees effectively.

• Visiting clients at their homes
• Working out of sight and sound from colleagues
• Travelling for business
• Interacting with the public in remote or decentralized areas

From security personnel and health workers to field technicians and delivery drivers, lone workers are all around us—and many employers are unaware of the legal and moral responsibility they have toward them.

The Real Risk to Lone Workers

While lone workers face many of the same hazards as others, the key difference is they face them alone—without immediate backup. This dramatically increases the severity of incidents.

1. People Risk

Lone workers are more exposed to violence, aggression, and intimidation, especially in public-facing roles like:

• Healthcare and social services
• Retail and hospitality
• Emergency responders
• Education and government services

Recent research shows incidents of violence and aggression against lone workers have nearly doubled over the last three years.

2. Environmental Risk

From slips, trips, and falls to electrocution and moving vehicles, common workplace hazards are magnified for lone workers—particularly when:

• Working on unassessed sites
• Conducting high-risk maintenance or inspections
• Operating in rural or industrial zones

Furthermore, South Africa’s increasingly unpredictable weather—including wildfires, floods, and severe storms—adds another layer of risk, especially when emergency help is far away.

3. Health Risk

What happens if a lone worker has a heart attack, loses consciousness, or suffers a seizure while alone? Without someone nearby to call for help, a life-threatening delay can occur in receiving emergency care.

South African Legal Requirements: OHS Act & Lone Work

South Africa’s Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 is clear. Employers must:

Identify hazards and risks associated with all work activities, including lone work
Take reasonably practicable steps to eliminate or mitigate risks
Not permit any employee to perform work unless all appropriate precautionary measures are in place

If you’re not proactively managing lone worker safety, you may be in breach of the OHS Act—and the liability is on your organisation.

What’s Your Current Approach?

Ask yourself:

• Do you know where your lone workers are?
• Can they easily call for help in an emergency?
• Are their movements monitored in real-time?
• Do you have records of compliance with legal lone worker protections?

If your answer is “no” to any of the above, your business is exposed.

StaySafe Lone Worker: Your Smart Safety Solution

SRM, in partnership with EcoOnline, proudly offers StaySafe Lone Worker Software—a simple, smart, and scalable solution for protecting your workforce.

Key Benefits of StaySafe:

• Real-Time Location Monitoring
  Keep track of employees’ exact location when they’re working alone.
• Panic Alerts & Duress Features
  Lone workers can send an SOS at the push of a button—even discreetly under threat.
• Check-In Timers & Failsafes
  If a worker misses a check-in, automated alerts escalate to your response team or an outsourced monitoring centre.
• Audit Trails for Legal Compliance
  Documented lone worker activity ensures you meet OHS legislative requirements.
• Mobile App-Based Simplicity
  Easy to use for field workers—no bulky hardware or complicated systems.

🔗 Watch how StaySafe works here: https://youtu.be/c274TMFMqaE?si=r_fSbqU9ww7gZoOS

Protect Lives. Ensure Compliance. Reduce Liability.

Lone worker safety is not optional—it’s a legal, ethical, and operational necessity. SRM’s experience in SHEQ compliance, combined with the powerful StaySafe platform, empowers your organisation to bridge the gap in worker protection.

👉 Don’t wait for an incident to act.

Book a free Lone Worker Safety Consultation
Visit www.srmc.co.za to learn more
Contact SRM to implement StaySafe and safeguard your team

SRM is a trusted provider of safety, health, environmental, and risk management solutions across South Africa. We help organisations achieve legal compliance, mitigate operational risk, and protect their people—especially those working alone.