Lone Worker Protection Services re-procurement

We require a solution that will enable DEFRA organisations to meet responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all employees requiring Lone Worker protection.  The selected solution will need to provide DEFRA group Lone Worker Protection that includes real time monitoring and recording, smartphone app capability and a range of devices that meet specific risk activity needs, along with the provision of a dedicated 24/7/365 Alarm Receiving Centre to facilitate management of emergency situations.

This opportunity for the provision of a Lone Worker Protection Services is advertised by Defra group Commercial on behalf of Environment Agency, Natural England, Animal and Plant Health Agency and Rural Payments Agency.

Whilst DEFRA, EA, APHA, NE and RPA are driving the core requirements for this project, it is possible that other agencies may wish to take advantage of the selected supply option and commercial arrangement in the future.

The purpose of this procurement is to deliver a solution that will enable DEFRA organisations to meet responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all employees requiring Lone Worker protection.

Traditionally the term Lone Worker referred to staff members who work outside of agency premises, often in areas with little or no communication capabilities. This definition has matured to include any staff member who works in an environment that may expose them to risk, inside or outside of agency premises and whether working by themselves or in a team.

Lone workers across the DEFRA group agencies undertake activities that can be unique, varied and carry varying degrees of risk, these can include:

Working alone at DEFRA premises (inside or outside of core hours)

Working in a hazardous environment

Working in remote locations

Enforcement activity carrying risk of confrontation or aggression

Travelling abroad for assignments

For staff working alone, in remote or hazardous environments and/or entering potentially hostile or abusive situations, it is important to have systems in place to ensure that an alarm can be raised if assistance is required. These systems include an appropriate framework of safer systems of work and health and safety procedures, supported by managed solutions involving a range of technologies and a dedicated alarm response service to facilitate management of emergency situations that Lone Workers may face.

The selected solution will provide DEFRA group Lone Worker Protection that includes real time monitoring and recording, smartphone app capability and a range of devices that meet specific risk activity needs, along with the provision of a dedicated 24/7/365 alarm response service to facilitate management of emergency situations. It is imperative there is provision for lone workers operating outside of cell phone signal range