New tools help keep lone workers safe

Outdoor lone workers face increasing risks from severe weather, according to safety solutions provider Trackplot. To address these challenges, the company has introduced new tools to help businesses and workers stay prepared: Personal Severe Weather Notifications and Flood Warnings and Alerts (England).

The tools are designed to support lone workers operating in remote or hazardous environments, particularly as the UK faces worsening weather patterns linked to climate change. Emma Thomas, director of Trackplot, says, “These services have been developed especially for outdoor workers, those who travel regularly for work, offsite workers, or those in remote regions.”

The new notifications draw on data from the Met Office and the Environment Agency. Workers receive alerts if they are in a severe weather zone or within 10 km of a flood area. Alerts are also sent to managers, enabling better decision-making. The Met Office reports that heavy rain and other severe weather have disrupted travel and access to worksites over the past year.

Flood warnings integrated into the Trackplot system allow businesses to assess risks on local and national levels. Alerts are categorised by severity, from possible flooding (yellow alert) to danger to life (red alert).

The UK’s changing climate underscores the need for such tools. Research predicts winters could be up to 30% wetter by 2070, with more intense rainstorms. Work-related accidents also remain a significant issue, with the Health and Safety Executive reporting 138 workplace deaths in 2023/24.

“These tools help workers and businesses prepare before severe weather hits, reducing risks to lives and property,” Thomas adds.

Trackplot’s tools aim to enable managers to adapt schedules and mitigate risks, ensuring both safety and operational continuity.