Top tips to ensure your mobile workforce stays safe
These days, more and more companies are shifting towards mobile workforces. In fact, a report from Deloitte found that 51% of employees in the UK are spending less time at a fixed work location — and this rate is only expected to grow. With mobile workers increasing, leaders are now handed the responsibility of ensuring their health and safety outside the office.
While it may seem immensely challenging to keep mobile workers out of harm's way, you must and can still enforce effective safety procedures. That said, here's how you can protect your team even if you're in separate spaces.
Spot possible safety risks
Managing a mobile team is rather unique — from adjusting to their flexible work hours to balancing different locations. When you have a dynamic work environment, it's essential to be on top of safety issues that each member might encounter. After all, prevention is key when it comes to maintaining good health and safety.
To this end, you should consider checking in with each member regarding their workspace to identify any hazards. If you have members who only work at home, you can conduct online training sessions on how to deal with common hazards like fires, falls, and electric shocks. Alternatively, for workers who are always on-the-go, like drivers and messengers, it's best to provide them with the right safety tips for their travels. In this way, spotting potential safety risks early on allows you as a leader to prepare the proper tools and information required.
Spot problems before they’re problems
Oplift Review lets your staff consistently capture data to give you insight into your business to make smarter decisions. Perfect for store audits, staff 1-on-1s, vehicle inspections or daily checklists.
Get your team to buy-in
Your safety practices are only as effective as the trust and confidence that your team has in them. But with all the rules and guidelines, instilling them in your team isn't always the easiest task. Fortunately, you can turn things around by presenting your company's procedures in a new light.Gamification is one way to get your mobile staff excited about improving their work safety habits. Though it sounds a little gimmicky, Verizon Connect highlights how gamification is set to hit £14.7bn in 2023 precisely because it works. Just take a look at the 54% decrease in safety incidents in Walmart’s distribution centres — when done right, gamification helps improve safety on top of productivity and efficiency. On that note, you can consider hosting a virtual quiz night about the procedures. You can even divide your team into groups, so they can improve their teamwork and collaboration skills. Overall, gamification will encourage your team to really study the safety practices, and in turn, understand the importance of complying with them.
Set up an Emergency Messaging System
When an emergency strikes, the first thing you must do as a leader is to see how your members are coping with the situation. This is why it's vital to have a messaging system in place to ensure that everyone is accounted for at any time. On top of this, we've previously shared in our 'Expert Guided Advice on How to Manage Your Team Remotely' post that maintaining clear and constant communication will help your team stay grounded amidst difficult situations.You can utilise the messaging tools that your team already uses, like Slack or WhatsApp, by creating a channel for emergencies.
Try formulating codewords for specific situations, so you can take swift action. Alternatively, you can ask your team to download an emergency services application to enhance communication. For instance, the BBC points out that the 'what3words' app provides clear directions on where to go to for safety during an emergency.
Turn to wearables
As we mentioned, tech tools can do a world of good when it comes to improving the safety procedures of your mobile team. But, you can even take this a step further by investing in wearables — electronic devices that are essentially worn as accessories.Even if your team members are working in different places, you can still stay connected and ensure their safety with a mobile medical alert system. This type of wearable automatically connects with you a response centre by simply pressing the button of the device. Wearables may be pricey, but if it fits your team's budget, they can make a huge impact in keeping everyone safe at all times.
Written by Rylee Sanders for ocasta.com
