Why Traditional Security Protection Falls Short

Surprisingly, many organizations rely on reactive safety models and strategies, resulting in major gaps, particularly in the employee’s line of communication and connection. Common gaps include communication networks and radio systems with limited or inconsistent coverage, lack of automated escalation system or protocols when a person is quiet or does not respond on communication channels, lack of manual incident reporting system after the incident/harm takes place, and no actual worker visibility for supervisors or managers during patrols.

The problem with reactive models and solutions is that they may not react and respond quickly enough to protect the employee from harm in that situation. However, proactive models prevent injuries or damage from occurring in the workplace by identifying and mitigating hazards before they cause incidents, resulting in fewer injuries, reduced costs (downtime, litigation, fines), improved employee morale and safety culture, as well as better regulatory compliance. The key to proactive safety is maintaining a constant, consistent line of connection with the lone security worker throughout their shift via dependable, automated safety monitoring technology, devices, or platforms — automated safety monitoring is more reliable because it does not present the real, dangerous risk of human error. Researchers say that proactive approaches to safety are more beneficial and that “monitoring is an essential ingredient for proactiveness.”

The Shift Towards Connected, Real-Time Safety

With new, emerging safety technologies and innovations constantly being developed for at-risk employees like lone workers, organizations have more proactive approaches to choose from — several types of monitoring technologies that address different lone worker challenges and needs.

New technologies are allowing companies to take more proactive approaches and monitor vulnerable employees, improving emergency response if they need immediate help. The National Safety Council recommends that organizations use lone worker monitoring technologies to help “monitor, protect, and manage” employees who are alone in areas without supervision nearby. Additionally, this steady connection can benefit the safety of security employees working alone in a number of important areas, including:

• Real-time, GPS location monitoring of workers in remote areas for faster emergency response
• Automated welfare and safety check-ins that confirm the employee’s safety and other details of their work circumstances
• Live panic alerts as well as discreet emergency alarms and panic buttons during violent encounters
• Fall and dangerous impact detection, as well as motionless detection if the security worker has not moved for an extended period 

Protecting Lone Security Workers from Harassment and Assault

Not only are security officers required to deal with workplace violence, but they must also constantly adapt to different levels of violence and aggressive conflict. To help these employees adapt and stay safe, organizations can use real-time monitoring to help mitigate violence-related safety risks by:

• Immediately alerting managers and supervisors
• Streamlining live escalation workflows
• Improving the response from assigned backup teams
• Providing ongoing documentation of incidents and other events

Additionally, real-time connection and monitoring can support and complement current safety training and de-escalation violence prevention programs by identifying patterns of incidents or other issues in specific locations.

Beyond Physical Safety and Mental Well-Being

However, the safety risks for security work are not just skin deep and impact the employees’ emotional well-being as well. From long nights and late, lonely shifts, security workers are also at risk of chronic stress, high cognitive demands, and emotional strain — particularly when employees are frequently alone and face repeated confrontations. There are warning signs to workplace violence, such as changes in behavior and mood, and social isolation. Research shows that isolation and high-risk environments can increase stress and fatigue in security workers, which can impact their decisions and work quality.

Connected systems can reduce isolation through continuous communication, provide clear, effective escalation and emergency procedures, and provide peace of mind to lone security workers knowing someone is constantly monitoring their safety and well-being.

Practical Steps for Security Leaders

To help provide both physical and emotional safety for security workers, leaders and managers can take preemptive steps now to improve their team’s safety, including the development of a connected safety strategy. The key elements of an effective connected safety strategy entail:

• Conducting thorough hazard assessments to identify high-risk posts, patrol locations, and lone worker roles
• Providing mobile safety, discreet panic buttons, or wearable panic alert systems for effective real-time monitoring on patrols
• Developing clear automated escalation protocols and instructions for missed check-ins during a shift
• Integrating security safety data into incident reporting and complementary safety training programs

The Future: Technology as a Monitoring Multiplier for Security Teams

With workplace violence concerns increasing and security roles growing, organizations are investing more in technology-enabled, connected safety systems. Organizations that employ multiple teams of lone security guards can see the benefits of technology-enabled, connected safety systems including immediate alerts to managers, streamlined and more efficient emergency escalation, ongoing incident documents, as well as improved team response to work violence and other emergency situations. A connected system for your lone security team means they can work in environments with less unpredictability and more support — they deserve it.