What is 24/7 Monitoring for Lone Workers?

How Can 24/7 Monitoring Enhance Lone Worker Safety?

Lone workers across various UK industries face unpredictable risks daily. Whether they are social workers conducting home visits, security personnel patrolling premises at night, or retail employees dealing with potential shoplifters, their safety can be questioned. In these situations, having access to the best 24/7 lone worker monitoring provides an essential safety net. Knowing that professional support is just a button press away offers reassurance and enables a quicker response should an emergency arise. For employers, implementing lone worker risk assessment measures ensures that the safety of workers is prioritised.  

Strengthening Lone Worker Security with 24/7 Real-Time Monitoring

Real-time safety monitoring ensures that lone workers are never truly alone. It gives them the confidence to handle challenging scenarios, knowing that someone is always listening and ready to act if needed. Proactive monitoring helps mitigate potential threats and allows businesses to demonstrate a proactive approach to lone worker safety and compliance. With lone worker tracking systems and lone worker security technology, businesses can enhance their monitoring capabilities and offer peace of mind.  

One of the key features of SoloProtect’s 24/7 monitoring service is Ready2Talk®, an invaluable chaperone tool designed to offer reassurance during situations with a potential threat but not yet an emergency. This feature enables users to connect via their lone worker device or mobile safety app to a two-way call with an operator at our BS 8484-accredited 24/7 Monitoring Centre (Alarm Receiving Centre). Our team will monitor an unsafe situation until the user feels secure again.

Since the feature is two-way, users can openly discuss their concerns with the operator, providing them peace of mind. If they prefer more discreet safety monitoring services, they can switch to a one-way call, where the operator listens without speaking.

When Should You Use Ready2Talk?

Lone workers face numerous risks in different industries. Here are some key scenarios where Ready2Talk can provide essential protection:

• ‍Walking alone at night – A lone worker navigating a dark car park may feel uneasy about a nearby group. Ready2Talk ensures immediate support if needed. ‍
• Entering a potentially hostile environment – Housing officers, care workers, and property surveyors may encounter aggressive individuals inside a property. ‍
• Dealing with difficult conversations – Professionals who deliver sensitive news to individuals with a history of aggression can benefit from real-time safety monitoring. ‍
• Security checks in high-risk areas – Security guards patrolling premises following a break-in can have additional oversight with lone worker devices. ‍
• Handling aggressive animals – Veterinary professionals and animal control officers may find it difficult to trigger an alert manually. ‍
• Dealing with confrontational individuals – Engineers and roadside assistance teams may encounter frustrated or aggressive drivers.

We have additional blogs which you might be interested in focused on these scenarios:

Read How to Stay Safe When Working Alone At Night

Read Lone Working in Hot Weather  

Read Safe Driving for Work

Ready2Talk is also widely used by charity workers, social housing professionals, healthcare workers, and retail employees, helping them navigate situations that have the potential to escalate quickly. You can find out more about the feature by watching the below explainer video.

How Ready2Talk Has Helped Real Lone Workers

Property Visit: Before visiting a property where they had previously been assaulted, a lone worker activated Ready2Talk for added safety. As they entered the property, the tenant became slightly aggressive. Despite the tension, the operator listened and discreetly monitored the situation. While the situation didn’t escalate into an emergency, the lone worker felt tremendous relief knowing that support was just a call away. That reassurance made all the difference in their confidence in their ability to handle the visit safely.

Animal Control: An animal control officer activated Ready2Talk when responding to a distressing call at a property where multiple animals needed removal. The owner was hysterical, and the animals were frightened, adding to the chaos. As the officer worked to load the animals into the van safely, they continued to document the situation while the woman remained upset. Knowing that they had real-time monitoring was crucial, especially since the removal process had been ongoing and involved a potential criminal case. The proactive monitoring ensured that if the situation turned hostile, help would be on hand to protect both the officer and the animals.

Shoplifting: During a routine shift, a lone worker in a retail store pressed the Ready2Talk button when they recognised a pair of known shoplifters entering the store. Although the thieves hadn’t yet threatened anyone or committed a crime, the lone worker wanted the peace of mind that real-time support was available. As predicted, one of the shoplifters began stuffing expensive chocolate into a backpack while the other verbally abused the worker. Thanks to the ongoing monitoring, the operator quickly notified the police, ensuring a fast response that helped prevent further escalation and provided a swift resolution.

Why Businesses Should Invest in 24/7 Lone Worker Monitoring

• Legal compliance – Many industries must adhere to legal requirements for lone workers and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations on lone working. Investing in BS 8484-certified lone worker protection ensures compliance.
• Employee wellbeing – Providing employee safety solutions enhances staff confidence and reduces stress when working alone.
• Rapid emergency response – In high-risk situations, operators can escalate incidents to emergency services with a Level 1 police response, bypassing 999.
• Enhanced duty of care – Protecting employees with 24/7 monitoring demonstrates an employer’s commitment to safety and wellbeing.

FAQs About Ready2Talk and 24/7 Lone Worker Monitoring

Q: Is Ready2Talk available on all SoloProtect devices?

A: The Ready2Talk feature is available on lone worker devices such as SoloProtect ID Touch, ID Classic, Sheild, Curve, and the SoloProtect Mobile App.  

Q: What happens if I lose connection during a Ready2Talk session?

A: If a connection is lost, our operators will attempt to reconnect or escalate the situation based on risk assessment protocols.

Q: How does Ready2Talk differ from Red Alert?

A: Ready2Talk provides ongoing reassurance by keeping an open line to an operator, whereas a Red Alert is activated when immediate assistance is required.

Q: How do I activate Ready2Talk?

A: To start a Ready2Talk sessions, use your SoloProtect device or lone worker mobile app to start a Ready2Talk session, and an operator will be connected quickly.  

Stay Protected with SoloProtect 24/7 Monitoring

24/7 monitoring is about more than just responding to emergencies—it’s preventing them. Knowing that someone is actively listening means situations can be de-escalated before they become dangerous. If an emergency does occur, our operators can quickly escalate to emergency contacts or initiate a Level 1 police response, bypassing the need to call 999 separately. With a lone worker tracking system and real-time safety monitoring, your team is protected.  

Many of our users have shared positive experiences:

“It’s nice to know I am safe and being monitored when in a difficult situation.”

“I feel so much safer when I am out supporting vulnerable individuals, thank you!”

“The call handlers are always really quick to respond when an alert is set off.”

If you or your team work alone, don’t wait until you’re in an emergency to seek help. With SoloProtect’s 24/7 monitoring and personal safety solutions for lone workers, you always have someone looking out for you.

Book a demo today or contact us for further information on how SoloProtect can help safeguard your lone workers.