Lone working control measures

[Stephen Blair]

I loan work a lot, mostly grass cutting, strimming, dragging brash, log splitting etc.

I need to have something in place incase of an accident, and not just a paperwork exercise but something that when implemented could save lives.

 

Thanks in advance:)

[Wood wasp]

My Old Man has phone with button which if held down will send text with location coordinates to pre programmed numbers. Getting him to keep it on him at all times is another matter altogether.

 

Incidentally, "loan working" is different from "lone working". The former is something the banks would make you do, the latter is working on your own

[Gary Prentice]

Probably not of use, but our vehicle tracking system has a lone working app attached. But if you're splitting logs at an address for hours probably no good.Lone Worker Protection App from £6 p/m - Crystal Ball LWP

 

Could you 'touch base' at periodic intervals? Be a bit of a nuisance, but if you didn't call in and didn't answer their call - authorities are alerted.

Edited August 17, 2015 by Gary Prentice

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Hi Stephen, hope you're well.

 

Lots of good stuff already but, as a matter of interest, consider having a look here Lone workers

 

Also, personal first aid kit, well stocked is worth including.

 

Cheers..

Paul

[renewablejohn]

I have started using what3words to accurately locate where I am in any particular wood. Whenever I change location I just text the new location 3 words so at least they know where to find me even if I have no signal.

[combined tree services]

Here is a system used by a housing association that we contract to -http://www.loneworkersolutions.com hope it's of some use

[difflock]

All a proper pile o twaddle, I got a staff member concerned about lone working, who travels a 150 mile round trip journey (alone) summer and winter.

Then worries about working alone, doing non-controversial playground inspections, in housing estates, & not rough ones either.

FFS!

Uncommon sense (apparently!) and a mobile phone, or stay at home.

Marcus.

[aspenarb]

No lone working here for a few years now, not so much our doing but pressure from from our clients. The only exception is the tractor or digger drivers.

 

Bob

[Tom D]

Theres something called spot response SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger thats quite good for remote areas with no signal I think.

 

Well done for considering it, 20 years ago a guy I knew decided to set up his own log business, he bought a splitter and a pick up and started asking farmers for dead trees to scavenge. He was offered a big elm at a farm up in the hills, it was a bit of a climb but he had a 4x4 and got quite close to the tree. when he was felling it it went wrong, he tried to run but it rolled on him, he was trapped under a big limb with a smashed pelvis.... No one knew where he was, and no one had mobiles back then. His saw was still running just out of reach but he could just touch the tip of the bar, saws being what they were back then the chain was still spinning, he cut his hands to bits getting hold of the saw but eventually managed to get it. He cut the limb off himself and started to crawl towards his truck. He was beaten by a stock fence which he couldn't get over, he had to wait until he was missed and discovered. After a few ops and a long recovery he was ok, but a lucky man all the same.

 

People think it won't happen to them, but sometimes it does.

[Spruce Pirate]

Can you do something as simple as text your wife at agreed intervals? Every hour, every two hours?

 

It is a simple system, but relies on a couple of things:

1) you have phone signal

2) your wife is able to drop everything and go look for you if you aren't in touch.

3) your wife knows to "panic" if she doesn't hear from you rather than assume that you're actually all right.

4)both of you remember to actually use it.

 

On the plus side, it is a very cheap way of covering lone working.