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How You Can Use NSW’s Small Business Rebate Scheme for Enhancing Lone Worker Safety
INS LifeGuard • May 17, 2021
Lone workers by definition are those who work on their lonesome with no close or direct supervision. Workers who work alone or are self-employed are also part of this group. According to Safe Work Australia, lone workers face a higher risk of getting attacked and have lower chances of getting access to emergency assistance. These workers, which may include anyone from healthcare professionals to social workers, have some of the most challenging jobs and are often required to work by themselves. Those who are assigned to remote, isolated areas are especially more vulnerable and prone to life-threatening situations.
If precautions aren’t taken to address the safety concerns of lone workers, they are at risk of falling victim to violence and not being able to access emergency assistance when they need it. Aside from that, the constant worrying about their safety may affect their mental and physical health and cause a significant drop in their overall performance.
If you are a lone worker in NSW and are concerned about your safety while working alone or remotely, or 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 Small Business Rebate Scheme
The NSW small business rebate scheme is an initiative by the Australian Government designed to give money back to sole traders and small business owners who purchase and install eligible safety equipment for their workplace.
Safety items eligible for the rebate include:
- Injuries from moving objects – communication radios, personal duress alarms, etc.
- Hazardous manual task items – manual lifting devices, patient handling devices, etc.
- Slips trips and falls items – cable guards, anti-slip treading, safe plates, etc.
- Chemicals and dangerous goods – dangerous goods storage cabinets, closed chemical delivery systems, etc.
- Hazardous noise items – acoustic silencers, sound-absorbent barriers, etc.
Types of lone workers (and the hazards they face):
- Social workers, community workers – Abusive/violent patients/clients/relatives, manual handling (lifting) injuries
- Electrical/Maintenance workers – Electric shocks, trips, cuts, falls, accidents, confined spaces
- Security workers – Violence, accidents, falls, burns, toxic exposures
- Home help, care assistants, cleaners – Falls, injury, lifting, injuries from garbage handling, infections, needle sticks, chemicals, violence, robbery
- Nursing staff – Manual handling injuries, abusive/violent patients, drug handling, robbery, violence
- Public workers – Confined spaces, toxic gases, biohazards, slips and falls
- Farm/forestry workers – Animal attacks, weather, machinery accidents, chemicals, falling trees
- Shop/service sector workers – Violence, abuse, robbery, manual handling injuries
How the Rebate Scheme Can Benefit Lone Workers
You will find on the SafeWork website (under “what can I buy? -> injuries from moving objects -> being assaulted”) that personal duress alarms, communication radios and tracking systems are listed as eligible safety items.
Personal duress alarms are a mobile safety device that allows anyone in a dangerous situation to call for help at the touch of a button. Meanwhile, communication radios enable lone workers to stay connected with their team in real-time.
Since the small business rebate scheme covers personal duress alarms and communication radios, both of which are essential for improving lone worker safety, sole traders who often find themselves working alone or remotely – and small business owners who have workers in high-threat environments – can use the scheme to help cover the costs of buying these much-needed safety items for lone workers.
Innovative Safety Solutions You Can Get Using the Scheme
Among the many safety solutions that you can get using the small business rebate scheme, the LifeGuard SmartMobile App with Mia BT4, LifeGuard SmartTracker V2 and LifeGuard SafetyWatch provide the reassurance that lone workers need. These three solutions are considered eligible safety items under the small business rebate scheme, offering features that can help to ensure the safety and wellbeing of lone workers.
What is the LifeGuard SmartMobile App with Mia BT4?
The LifeGuard SmartMobile App lets you turn your compatible smartphone into a powerful mobile medical alarm, with features that include an emergency button (which connects to our 24/7 emergency response centre), two-way voice, and a GPS locator. The app is best paired with the LifeGuard Mia BT4, a compact and discreet wearable for on-the-go use that allows you to quickly call for help with a press of a button. The Mia BT4 can be worn either as a pendant or on the wrist.
What is the LifeGuard SmartTracker V2?
The LifeGuard SmartTracker V2 is a compact device that is loaded with many amazing features. It works using the same cellular technology as mobile phones and comes with A-GPS support for faster location tracking. It also allows the user to send an alarm with a quick press of a button. The alarm is sent to a nurse in a 24/7 emergency response centre. Most importantly, the LifeGuard SmartTracker V2 functions as a fall detector, making it a great safety item for lone workers.
What is the LifeGuard SafetyWatch?
The LifeGuard SafetyWatch is a medical alarm that is packed with an array of features to suit the personal safety needs of seniors, lone workers, and individuals with chronic health conditions. With this device, you can instantly send an alarm to the nurses at our 24/7 Emergency Response Centre along with your GPS location in real-time. It's as simple as pressing and holding the button for three seconds. It also works as a heart rate monitor and step counter, giving you the ability to access valuable health insights when you want them.
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
Takeaway
Many businesses have staff who work alone, and lone workers are at greater risk of being assaulted or getting into dangerous situations. Employers must invest in the right safety equipment to ensure the safety and well-being of their lone workers. If you are a sole trader who can be considered a lone worker, the same applies to you. Whether you are a small business owner or a sole trader, you can apply for the rebate to help offset some of the costs of buying safety items for your lone workers.
About
INS LifeGuard is the only 24/7 nurse on-call personal and medical monitoring in Australia. We provide monitoring technology for both in the home and on the go and can also monitor other provider's equipment. Our services are suitable for anyone wanting support to stay independent such as the elderly, those with medical conditions and disabilities plus enhancing safety and security for lone workers.
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