South Gloucester Council
COUNCIL ADOPTS PEOPLESAFE FOR LONE WORKER PROTECTION
21st June 2006
Verbal and physical abuse against dog wardens and council officers dealing with abandoned vehicles and high hedge disputes is a common occurrence.Now, South Gloucestershire Council has found a means of protecting its Street Care workers by using Peoplesafe, a technically advanced lone worker safety device from Rocksure Systems.
Jim Daniels, Senior Community Spaces Officer quickly decided Peoplesafe was exactly what was needed to safeguard the Council’s lone workers.Resembling a normal ID holder, but packed with the latest mobile phone technology, Peoplesafe not only enables the lone worker to discreetly raise an alarm if threatened, but also allows a third party to listen to what is happening and record events whatever the distance.The device can also support the pinpointing of a worker’s location using GSM/LBS technology.
“Not only does Peoplesafe provide our employees with a means of obtaining help in the event of a dispute or accident but it also enables us to record a disagreement and play it back when there is a discrepancy about what was said”, says Jim Daniels.
A total of six Peoplesafe units are now being used by South Gloucestershire Council’s Community Spaces Department, which are now helping to protect its abandoned vehicle officer, dog wardens, high hedge and tree officers and landscapers.
“Our employees feel much safer using Peoplesafe”, concluded Jim Daniels.“It is particularly appreciated by our dog wardens and abandoned vehicle officer who often have to go into isolated areas or confront people who may be aggressive towards them.”
When an employee feels they are entering a hazardous situation, they press an amber alert button, which notifies Rocksure’s control centre.If the red alert is then pressed an audible alarm is sounded and the centres’ support staff listen to what is happening and make an assessment as to the level of support required– involving the police if necessary.In the event of a verbal confrontation, the Centre can also record the conversation for future action.
Rocksure Systems is providing South Gloucestershire Council with a total solutions package that includes the Peoplesafe unit, operator response, tracking, training, configuration with the most appropriate mobile network and ongoing support.
“Violence at work is defined by the HSE as "any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work ". This includes threats and verbal abuse as well as physical assault. Even where staff are not physically harmed repeated occurrences of swearing, threats and verbal abuse can lead to depression, stress, reduced morale, absenteeism, retention problems and reduced productivity,” said Ian Johannessen, Managing Director of Rocksure Systems.“Peoplesafe offers an effective way of addressing serious concerns regarding personal abuse that are today shared by employer and employee alike.”
With more than 250,000 residents, South Gloucestershire is the fastest-growing area in the South West, offering bustling towns and unspoilt countryside, excellent travel links and major commercial and industrial areas.Rated one of the best Council in the South West by the Audit Commission, South Gloucestershire Council provides a vast range of services to its diverse and vibrant community.The Street Care Department covers a spectrum of activities within the Council from abandoned vehicles to car parks and from parks to stray animals.Ends