The recent rioting and violence have highlighted significant workplace safety concerns across various sectors in the UK. Reports indicate a rising demand for personal safety measures, particularly personal alarms.
- Market-leading personal safety provider Peoplesafe has reported a 10% increase in demand for safety alarms in the past fortnight.
- Lone workers in fields such as retail, hospitality, and healthcare report heightened vulnerability and fear for their personal safety.
- Research shows seven million UK workers already worried about safety, with over half concerned about potential public aggression.
- Experts urge employers to prioritise comprehensive safety support, utilising technology to mitigate risks and ensure employee security.
The recent outbreak of rioting and violence has brought to light critical issues surrounding workplace safety in the United Kingdom, particularly impacting sectors that involve lone workers. Market-leading safety technology company Peoplesafe has reported a 10% surge in demand for personal safety alarms over the past two weeks, indicating a growing concern among businesses and employees alike.
Lone workers, especially those in retail, hospitality, and healthcare, are feeling increasingly vulnerable amid these events. Naz Dossa, CEO of Peoplesafe and BSIA Chair of the Lone Working Group, stated, “Terrible events like this bring to the fore concerns for personal safety. We have seen in research that this is not just down to isolated events – it is always there.”
According to recent research, approximately seven million workers in the UK worry about their personal safety each week. Before the recent unrest, 57% of these individuals already feared aggression from the public, and one in four preferred avoiding roles involving direct public contact. Personal safety remains a pressing issue as 62% cited it as a reason for their concerns.
The current situation underscores the necessity for employers to extend safety measures beyond standard office hours, providing support to workers in the field and during commutes. While employers cannot guard against every threat, they can implement comprehensive safety strategies, including personal safety technologies, to help mitigate these risks.
A case study from Ingenica Solutions, a healthcare software provider, illustrates the proactive steps being taken. In response to staff safety concerns, Ingenica equipped their field employees with the Peoplesafe app, offering an additional layer of protection beyond their standard safety protocols. Stephen O’Callaghan, Executive Chairman at Ingenica, remarked, “The Peoplesafe App provides our staff peace of mind knowing they can activate an immediate emergency response, which is priceless.”
Peoplesafe CEO Naz Dossa emphasised the necessity of making employee safety a priority, highlighting the recent 10% increase in service requests. He stressed, “Protecting and improving the lives of our collective workforce will only create a more safe, sustainable, and successful future for every sector.”
The recent unrest underscores the urgent need for enhanced employee safety measures across all sectors.
