Lone Worker Allergy Attack: A Brief Guide

What is Lone Worker Allergy Attack?

A lone worker allergy attack refers to when a person working alone experiences a severe allergic reaction without anyone nearby to provide assistance or call for help. Allergic reactions can intensify quickly, potentially progressing from mild symptoms to life-threatening anaphylaxis in just a few minutes, that is why if a lone worker experiences a severe allergic reaction, like one triggered by food, insect stings, or chemicals, they may rapidly become unable to communicate or call for help.

Industries Most at Risk

Allergies happen when the immune system reacts badly to a foreign substance that enters the body. These substances, known as allergens, can include pollen, bee venom, pet dander, certain foods, and medications that are typically harmless to most people but can be harmful to some. This is why it’s important to know how to manage and handle the presence of allergens in products or work environments to prevent allergic reactions.

Industries most at risk of lone worker allergy attacks include the following:

• Gardening and Agriculture: Exposure to mold, pollen, animal dander, pesticides, and fertilizers.

• Healthcare: Exposure to latex, antibiotics, antiseptics, and disinfectants.

• Manufacturing: Exposure to chemicals, dust, and solvents.

• Construction: Contact with cement (chromate), dust, and solvents.

• Cleaning and Janitorial Services: Exposure to detergents, enzymes, and disinfectants.

• Hairdressing and Cosmetology: Contact with hair dyes, fragrances, and rubber gloves contribute to high rates of allergic reactions.

• Animal Handling and Veterinary Work: Exposure to animal dander, fur among others are significant allergens when exposed.

Industries Most at Risk of Lone Worker Allergy Attacks

Guiding Safety Regulations

Allergy attacks are a serious workplace risk that can endanger anyone in both indoor and outdoor settings. To lessen this risk, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the US provides detailed guidelines and regulations to prevent such things from happening. Though there are no specific guidelines for managing the safety of lone workers at risk of allergy attacks, there are related safety regulations set in place to protect lone workers.

One example is OSHA’s Working Alone guidance (Also known as OSHA 1915.84). Under this, employers are required to regularly monitor lone workers through visual or verbal check-ins to verify their well-being. Included in employer duties is to keep an eye out for allergens to lone workers and allergy attacks. To further reduce the risk of allergy attacks, companies can implement mobile platforms that provide easy access to safety policies and allow workers to request immediate assistance when needed.

In the UK, although there is no specific legislation focused solely on lone worker allergy attacks, several key laws and regulations establish a legal framework to protect lone workers, including those at risk of severe allergic reactions. Some of which are from the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

These regulations require employers to assess workplace risks and implement appropriate preventive measures when hazards, in this case allergy attacks, are identified. For lone workers, it is crucial for companies to establish a clear and comprehensive lone working policy, inclusive of various allergies. This policy should be provided to each worker and clearly displayed in visible areas of the workplace, such as near machinery, dusty environments, or other high-risk locations.

Best Practices for Allergy Attack Prevention

Preventing allergy attacks for lone workers involves a mix of personal preparedness, workplace safety measures, and emergency planning. Here’s how to reduce the increased risks associated with working alone:

1. 1. Assess Risks and Identify Hazards: Assess potential allergens and lone worker hazards in the workplace, including likely sources of allergen exposure and the risk of severe reactions, to establish effective safety measures.

   2. Provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Provide and maintain respirators, gloves, protective clothing, and ensure proper use.

   3. Implement Allergen Control Measures: Manage and implement  proper ventilation practices and install the right ventilation systems  to reduce airborne allergens, maintain regular cleaning with HEPA filters, use hypoallergenic products, and clearly label allergenic materials to minimize the risk of accidental exposure.

   4. Have a Medical Emergency Response Steps: Ensure lone workers carry prescribed allergy medication (e.g., epinephrine auto-injectors), train staff in first aid for allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, and maintain up-to-date emergency contacts and protocols.

   5. Use Communication and Monitoring Systems: Access to reliable check-in procedures or monitoring devices to ensure rapid assistance can be summoned if an allergic reaction occurs and the lone worker cannot call for help themselves.

How Technology Can Help Manage and Avoid Allergy Attacks

Technology can play a crucial role in enhancing prevention, monitoring, and emergency response for lone worker allergy attacks through several key features. Here’s what to look for when choosing a solution for lone worker safety and allergy attacks:

• Real-Time Alerts and Location Sharing: Digital solutions such as Mitti (by SafetyCulture) allows lone workers to quickly send emergency alerts using a panic button accessible on mobile phones and tablets. Once activated, the system shares the worker’s real-time GPS location with designated contacts, enabling rapid response and assistance during an allergy attack.

• Automated Check-Ins: Mitti (by SafetyCulture) offers scheduled periodic check-ins, allowing lone workers to confirm their safety at regular intervals. If a worker misses a check-in within the designated time frame, the software automatically sends escalation alarms to supervisors, helping prevent unnoticed emergencies.

• GPS Tracking: On top of providing real-time alerts of locations where an emergency happens, tools such as Mitti (by SafetyCulture) also offers continuous real-time GPS tracking of lone workers, displayed on a live map dashboard. This feature allows for quick location of workers in distress and tracing their past steps, which is essential during sudden allergy attacks when the worker may be unable to communicate.

• Incident Reporting: Modern technology today has made it easier to report and analyze workplace incidents as they happen, including allergy attacks. This enables digita l logging of incidents and exposure events using integrated forms and checklists, helping organizations track allergy-related cases, identify patterns, and enhance workplace safety protocols over time.

• Integration with Wearables: Mitti (by SafetyCulture) supports Bluetooth-enabled wearable devices and other integrations. These devices can automatically send alerts if a lone worker becomes incapacitated during an allergy attack, even if they are unable to activate the alarm manually.