The new world of remote work
Remote and hybrid work have surged across Australia. But it’s not just about working from home on a laptop. Many employees work alone in isolated, high-risk, or unpredictable environments:
- Field service crews repairing infrastructure in remote areas
- Community workers making home visits
- Council inspectors visiting sites or properties
- Employees travelling between client locations
- Hybrid staff splitting time between home, office and the field
These workers face unique risks that go beyond typical office hazards. That’s why remote worker safety is now one of the most pressing workplace health and safety issues for Australian organisations.
Key risks remote workers face
Working remotely often means working without immediate backup. Some of the most common risks include:
- Medical emergencies: a sudden health issue (cardiac event, asthma attack or injury) without quick access to help can become fatal.
- Isolation: long hours alone can increase vulnerability to both accidents and mental health challenges.
- Violence and aggression: community workers, inspectors and retail staff often encounter unpredictable members of the public.
- Environmental hazards: remote and rural locations expose workers to extreme weather, wildlife or vehicle breakdowns.
- Accidents on the road: travelling between sites is one of the highest workplace risks in Australia.
Without clear safety protocols, small incidents can escalate quickly for remote workers.
Employer legal obligations under WHS
Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws make it clear: employers must provide the same level of care for remote workers as they do for office-based teams.
This includes:
- Identifying risks specific to remote or isolated work
- Putting control measures in place (technology, training, procedures)
- Ensuring communication systems are available and reliable
- Supporting both physical and psychological health
Failure to meet these obligations can result in significant fines, reputational damage and legal liability. But beyond compliance, organisations have a moral duty to ensure their staff are never left vulnerable.
Practical strategies to improve remote worker safety
Strong policies and proactive practices go a long way. Key strategies include:
- Regular check-ins: scheduled phone or app-based check-ins keep remote workers connected and accounted for.
- Safe travel policies: clear rules for vehicle use, fatigue management, and route planning reduce transport risks.
- Wearable alarms and duress devices: small, discreet devices with SOS buttons allow workers to raise the alarm instantly.
- Lone worker apps: smartphone-based apps provide emergency alerts, location sharing and timed sessions for added safety.
- Training: staff should be equipped to de-escalate aggressive behaviour, manage stress and use safety tech confidently.
These measures show employees that their wellbeing is valued, boosting both safety and retention.
Technology’s role in remote worker safety
Technology has become a game-changer in keeping remote workers safe. Features now available in professional lone worker solutions include:
- GPS, to quickly locate employees in emergencies, even in remote regions.
- Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) monitoring: 24/7 response centres verify alerts and dispatch emergency services within minutes.
- Yellow Alert (audio check-in): workers can leave details before entering risky environments, ensuring rapid response if they don’t check out.
- Man Down detection: automatic alerts trigger if a worker collapses or is immobilised.
- Two-way communication: discreetly connects employees to trained operators without escalating a situation.
This combination of tech and human backup ensures that help is never far away, even when workers are kilometres from the nearest colleague.
Why protecting remote workers matters
Prioritising safety for remote workers delivers benefits far beyond compliance:
- Reduced risks and incidents: proactive monitoring prevents small issues from becoming major emergencies.
- Improved staff wellbeing: workers feel supported and less anxious about working alone.
- Stronger culture: demonstrating care builds trust and loyalty.
- Legal and financial protection: organisations avoid costly penalties and reputational harm.
Ultimately, investing in remote worker safety is an investment in people. And people are the foundation of every business.
Conclusion: Safety without compromise
Remote work is here to stay, across industries from healthcare to utilities to government. But with it comes new risks that can’t be ignored.
By combining clear policies, training, and technology like GPS-enabled lone worker devices, organisations can ensure that employees are never truly alone, no matter how remote their workplace may be.
Because when it comes to safety, distance should never mean danger.
