Lone working has become a common occurrence among the modern-day workforce, as the number of mobile workers continues to rise. Back in 2012, the International Data Corporation (IDC) estimated that the number of mobile workers would exceed 1.3 billion worldwide by 2015. As of 2025, mobile and lone working remains on an upward trend, which is why ensuring the safety of this large number of workers is paramount.
Understanding the Risks of Lone Working
It is the right of every worker to be guaranteed a safe and healthy environment; nevertheless, accidents may happen. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), almost 3 million people die every year due to work related factors and more than 300 million get injured. Furthermore, when it comes to lone working, the risks are exacerbated.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has found that lone workers are more likely to get injured due to: slips, trips, falls, along with handling heavy objects, being struck, or falling from heights.
In order to mitigate these risks, safety precautions must be put in place. In high-risk work environments, such as construction sites, these dangers can never truly be removed; however, thanks to innovative technology like Ramtech’s REACT platform, lone workers can benefit from an extra level of protection.
REACT is a cloud-based platform that wirelessly communicates with project managers’ mobile phone or desktop to quickly warn them of any immediate danger or emergency. REACT’s “lone worker” feature allows for individuals to effortlessly send out a distress call if injured. Furthermore, the app also provides project managers with the workers current location, so if anything happens they can quickly be found.
The Benefits of REACT
As technological advancements stand at the forefront of workplace safety, Ramtech is steadfast in developing the most innovative devices and software to guarantee the safety of those working in volatile and open-aired environments. Ramtech’s WES and REACT systems have already safeguarded numerous construction sites worldwide. In 2024, the company’s French team received the Fire Prevention Award from the French Federation of Firefighting Professions (FFMI) in recognition of their impact.
REACT enhances site safety by enabling rapid responses to critical incidents in any operational setting. From construction sites to industrial facilities and large-scale infrastructure projects, it equips safety teams with powerful emergency management tools. The system integrates effortlessly with existing safety protocols, delivering real-time monitoring, automated alerts, and detailed incident tracking, ensuring stronger personnel protection and full compliance.
Not only is the platform ideal for safeguarding mobile and lone workers, REACT also ensures the safety of the whole site. According to research conducted by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), although most fires on structures under construction occur from noon to 9 pm, fires that break out when nobody is on site (from midnight to 6 am) account for more than half the property damage.
Fire in Structures Under Construction by Time of Day
The provided graph illustrates that although fires on construction sites are most frequent between noon and 9 pm, those occurring when no staff is present, from midnight to 6 am, account for more than half (51%) of the total property damage, making rapid intervention crucial for site-wide protection.
With more than one billion people mobile or lone working all around the world, it’s important to address the inherent risks that come with doing so. Quick intervention is typically the key to avoiding further harm. By providing workers with an easy-to-use platform, lone workers can effectively send out a distress notification to project managers allowing them necessary assistance.
With over a billion people working alone or remotely around the globe, addressing the dangers of lone working is critical. Quick intervention often determines whether an incident leads to minor harm or major consequences.
Reassurance, Compliance, and Life-Saving Intervention
By equipping workers with easy-to-use technology like REACT, organizations can provide reassurance, strengthen compliance, and most importantly, save lives. Reassurance is paramount for individuals facing isolated and unsupervised conditions. The very nature of Lone Working can be stressful, but knowing that a simple, effortless press of a button will instantly notify managers of their exact location provides immediate peace of mind. This confidence is a powerful benefit, transforming the inherent risks of working alone into manageable challenges. This sense of security reduces worker anxiety, improves focus, and fosters a positive safety culture across the organisation, benefiting both the worker and productivity.