DAVID FOSTERGeneral Manager, Response Service Centre

IFSEC INTERNATIONAL 2013Monday 13 May 2013

CORPORATE MANSLAUGHTER ACT – Implications for Lone Worker Sector

Threats are stark

• Health & Safety Executive Statistics - 2011/12 reveals:

• 643,000 incidents of violence at work

• 324,000 physical assaults on workers

• 319,000 classified as threats

• Occupations with highest risk of experiencing violence

• Health

• Education

• Protective Services

Who are lone workers?• Over 6 million people in the UK work as lone workers.

• HSE definition of lone workers:

• Key threats to lone workers, with varying level of risks

• Risk of violence, intimidation

• Occupational risks

• Personal well being risks including health issues

“ An employee who performs an activity that is intended to be carried out in isolation without close or direct supervision. ” Some examples of lone workers are social workers, bailiffs, parking attendants, service engineers, caretakers, builders and forestry workers.

Threats are stark

• Assaults on NHS Staff (2011/2012)

• Over 60,000 assaults on their staff (up by 3%)

• 163 Attacks per day.

• Steepest increase – Assaults by Patients

• Rose from 39,770 to 46,265

• Increase of 16%

• Data from NHS Protect – (Surveyed 425 NHS Organization's)

Employer’s responsibility• Legal obligation –

• Health & Safety at Work Act 1974• Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999• Corporate Manslaughter & Homicide Act 2007

• Ever pressing need to comply with Duty of Care • Two corporate prosecutions (SW & Ireland)• Financial loss – Cotswold Geotechnical fined £385K

• Directors & line managers can face prosecution, if found negligent.

Implications for Lone Worker Sector

• Increased awareness by employers as to their Legal Obligations.

• Employees better informed about their ‘Employers Duty of Care’.

• Clearly identified risks to individuals within the workplace.

=• Significant growth opportunity for Lone Worker Protection across a

number of market sectors

• Anticipate 2013 to see highest year on year growth for Lone Worker Protection.

How to choose LWP service?

Source: BSIA

ARC – plays a critical role in LWP

• BS5979 Cat ll ARC - Audited by external inspectorate

• BS8484 - Police response for Panic Attacks/Lone Worker Protection

• BS7858 – Staff are fully vetted

• ISO9001 - Best quality processes

ARC – accreditations

ConclusionTo choose a lone worker service, you should consider:

• A lone worker service that meets both your needs and the requirements of BS8484, which includes face-to-face training.

• Device & network independent response provider ARC.

• An ARC that has experienced and trained staff, capable of giving lone workers the support they need.

• A lone worker service that is answered by human, don’t leave distress moments to responses from machine.

• A supplier that are able to provide requisite management information through online portal.

Thank you for your time

Any questions?

Remember to visit us at Stand J30

David FosterGeneral Manager – Response Service Centre