Ensuring the safety of lone workers is a critical responsibility for businesses across various sectors. Recognising this need, the NSW Government’s Small Business Rebate Scheme offers a valuable opportunity for businesses to enhance their safety measures. SafeTCard, a leader in providing accredited safety solutions, can help you leverage this scheme to protect your lone workers effectively.
Why Lone Worker Safety matters
Lone workers and self-employed individuals, whether operating in high-risk environments, remote locations, or clients’ homes, face unique challenges. According to Safe Work Australia, these workers face an increased risk of attacks and have reduced access to emergency assistance. The risk of accidents or assaults is ever-present. When incidents occur, knowing who will respond and how quickly they can act is crucial. Unfortunately, many businesses are unprepared for such emergencies. also fall into this category.
Here are examples of lone workers (and the hazards they face):
- Social workers, community workers: Abusive or violent patients, clients, or relatives; manual handling injuries.
- Electrical/Maintenance workers: Electric shocks, trips, cuts, falls, accidents, confined spaces.
- Security workers: Violence, accidents, falls, burns, toxic exposures.
- Home help, care assistants, aleaners: Falls, lifting injuries, injuries from garbage handling, infections, needle sticks, chemicals, violence, robbery.
- Nursing staff: Manual handling injuries, abusive or violent patients, drug handling, robbery, violence.
- Public workers: Confined spaces, toxic gases, biohazards, slips and falls.
- Farm/Forestry workers: Animal attacks, weather conditions, machinery accidents, chemicals, falling trees.
- Shop/Service sector workers: Violence, abuse, robbery, manual handling injuries.
For more details, please read Lone worker safety legislation in Australia
How SafeTCard can help
SafeTCard offers comprehensive safety solutions designed to address the specific needs of lone workers. Our products, including GPS-enabled devices and mobile apps, ensure your employees are always connected and can quickly summon help in an emergency. By integrating these solutions, your business can significantly reduce the risk of harm to your workers and comply with current health and safety regulations.
Utilising the NSW Small Business Rebate Scheme
If you are a small business owner who employs lone workers, you can invest in items that will help to enhance lone worker safety and receive up to $1000 in rebates for your purchase. The NSW Small Business Rebate Scheme provides financial support to businesses that invest in safety improvements, including personal safety alarms, communication radios and tracking systems listed as eligible safety items. By partnering with SafeTCard, you can use this rebate to offset the costs of implementing our cutting-edge safety solutions. This not only enhances your safety measures but also demonstrates your commitment to the well-being of your employees.
Benefits of SafeTCard solutions
- Full service and comprehensive safety solutions: We don’t only provide your employees with the alarm devices, we are end-to-end managing the process.
- Immediate assistance: SafeTCard devices provide instant alerts in emergencies, ensuring that help is dispatched promptly.
- Location tracking: Our GPS-enabled solutions allow for precise tracking of workers, making it easier to locate them in critical situations.
- Compliance: SafeTCard helps businesses stay compliant with safety regulations, avoiding potential fines and reputational damage.
- Peace of mind: With SafeTCard, your employees can feel confident and secure, knowing that they are protected by reliable safety measures.
Read more: Lone Worker Safety Legislation in New South Wales
SafeTCard devices and their main features and benefits
SafeTCard offers a range of devices designed to enhance the safety and security of lone workers across various industries. With features like GPS positioning on activation, emergency alerts, fall detection, and two-way communication, these devices provide comprehensive safety solutions that improve response times, ensure peace of mind, and help maintain compliance with safety regulations. Explore how SafeTCard can protect your workforce by visiting SafeTCard.
1. SafeTCard 4G Companion
Main features:
- GPS tracking: Provides real-time location tracking upon activation to ensure the safety of lone workers.
- Emergency button: Allows immediate alert and assistance in case of an emergency.
- Fall detection: Automatically sends an alert if a fall is detected, ensuring quick response.
- Two-way communication: Facilitates clear and reliable communication between the worker and the monitoring centre.
Benefits:
- Enhanced safety: Real-time monitoring when activated and emergency alerts provide immediate assistance.
- Peace of mind: Workers feel secure knowing they can easily call for help.
- Improved response time: Quick detection and response to falls or emergencies reduce potential harm.
2. SafeTCard ID
Main features:
- Discrete design: Looks like a standard ID badge, allowing for covert safety monitoring.
- GPS: Offers real-time location tracking upon activation for accurate monitoring.
- Emergency button: Provides a quick way to summon help in emergencies.
- Two-way audio: Enables direct communication with the monitoring centre.
Benefits:
- Inconspicuous protection: Workers can carry safety devices without drawing attention.
- Reliable monitoring: real-time location tracking and communication upon activation ensure quick assistance.
- Employee confidence: Workers feel supported and safe in their roles.
3. SafeTCard Mobile App
Main features:
- Emergency alert: Allows users to send an emergency alert directly from their smartphone.
- GPS: Uses the phone’s GPS for real-time location monitoring upon activation.
- Check-in feature: Enables regular check-ins to ensure the worker’s safety.
- Man down detection: Detects inactivity or falls and sends alerts automatically.
Benefits:
- Accessibility: Utilises existing smartphones, making it easy to deploy.
- Comprehensive safety: Combines GPS positioning on activation, emergency alerts, and check-ins for robust safety.
- Cost-effective: Reduces the need for additional hardware.
4. ACR Bivy Stick
Main features:
- Satellite communication: Ensures connectivity in remote areas without cellular coverage.
- SOS button: Sends emergency alerts via satellite for immediate assistance.
- GPS: Provides real-time location tracking upon activation, even in isolated locations.
- Weather updates: Offers weather information to help workers stay informed about changing conditions.
Benefits:
- Reliable connectivity: Ensures communication in areas with no cellular signal.
- Enhanced safety in remote areas: Satellite communication and GPS positioning on activation provide robust safety measures.
- Environmental awareness: Weather updates help workers prepare for adverse conditions.
Are you eligible for the rebate?
If you are not sure whether or not you qualify for a small business rebate, here are the eligibility requirements:
- You must be a small business owner or a sole trader in NSW
- You must have less than 50 full-time employees or equivalent
- You must have participated in an eligible event (free SafeWork NSW safety workshop, webinar), or had an advisory visit with a SafeWork NSW officer
- You must buy and install eligible safety equipment in your workplace
- You must be conducting a commercial business producing goods or providing services in NSW
- You must not be a previous recipient of a small business rebate from SafeWork or WorkCover NSW
Taking the next step
To enhance the safety of your lone workers and take advantage of the NSW Small Business Rebate Scheme, contact SafeTCard today. Our team of experts will guide you through the process of selecting and implementing the right safety solutions for your business, as well as provide training for lone worker safety. Together, we can create a safer working environment for your employees, ensuring their well-being and your peace of mind.
For more information, visit SafeTCard and learn how our innovative safety solutions can transform your approach to worker safety.