Using Vector LiveSafe for Dynamic Risk Assessments

Dynamic risk assessments help individuals be proactive, aware, and responsive to changing risks, particularly when entering unfamiliar or potentially hazardous environments. They are particularly important for lone workers, traveling employees or students, and those who frequently visit new worksites. Organizations can support and reassure these individuals by providing pertinent safety tools using mobile risk intelligence communications platforms such as Vector LiveSafe. 

Here, we break down dynamic risk assessments and discuss the ways in which mobile risk platforms can help employers and employees maximize safety and adherence to legal requirements. We also dive into these topics in more depth in our recent guide, guide, Lone Worker Safety: Risks, Considerations & Solutions.

Dynamic Risk Assessments

While formal risk assessments are regularly scheduled and organized processes, dynamic risk assessments are typically conducted in the field on an as-needed basis. Regardless of the situation, these assessments include several elements:

1. Assess the situation. Particularly in new or uncertain environments, be aware of potential risks and warning signs, such as trip hazards, dangerous animals, unsafe equipment, and disruptive customers or members of the public.
2. Have an exit strategy. Remain aware of all nearby doors, stairwells, and potential ways to get out of the situation if needed.
3. Consider next steps. Is it safe to continue with your current task, or should you alter your behavior or leave?
4. Take action. Once a risk has been identified, take the necessary steps to address the situation and, if needed, leave the area.
5. Document everything. Inform necessary personnel of the situation, which may involve asking for guidance or support.

Providing employees with easily-accessible resources makes risk assessment and proactive response more effective. These resources may include hazard assessment guidelines, relevant checklists, evacuation information, organizational procedures for job hazard analysis and risk mitigation, reporting process details, and more.

Moments of risk arise unexpectedly; providing a simple one-stop shop for instant mobile support, such as the Vector LiveSafe platform, gives employees the tools they need to stay safe.

Using Vector LiveSafe for DRAs

With features such as broadcast alerts, two-way messaging, and customizable resources, Vector LiveSafe can support employers and employees as they assess and respond to dynamic risks.

1. Assess the Situation

To successfully assess risk in a new work environment, employees need training, access to procedures, and a reliable way to access organizational support. With Vector LiveSafe, Resources and Two-Way Messaging are right at your fingertips.

• Resources: A configurable section of the mobile app hosts PDFs and URLs for resources such as checklists, training guides, and even videos to guide individuals through risk assessment.
• Two-Way Messaging: If an employee needs instant support or would like to clarify a policy, they can instantly communicate with key team members via a LiveSafe tip and real-time chat.

Employers can use Vector LiveSafe's Broadcast message functionality to remind community members of these resources and tools. As employees begin their dynamic assessments, Vector LiveSafe may also be used to facilitate incident escalation and investigation. For example, if an employee encounters a workplace hazard, they can submit a LiveSafe tip with baseline risk information to immediately inform organizational leaders and, if needed, solicit guidance.

2. Have an Exit Plan

Individuals encountering risk must have a plan to leave the environment if necessary. Ideally, this will be informed by knowledge of nearby safety locations and a clear means of evacuating. Two-way communication helps inform individuals when they need to leave; Vector LiveSafe's Safety Map and SafeWalk features can assist their departure.

• Safety Map: Vector LiveSafe's Safety Map automatically includes hospitals, police stations, and other health and safety locations. Organizations can also create custom location markers, such as for office buildings, organizational worksites, and other job-related locations.
• SafeWalk: If an employee is worried about safely exiting a hazardous situation, they can allow selected friends or family, or even their workplace security supervisor, to make sure they arrive safely. Their chosen companion will be notified if the employee does not reach their location in a timely manner. If desired, the employee can also share their location.

3. Consider Mitigation Strategies

Most individuals are not investigators or risk professionals, so they may not always know the best way to mitigate a situation. Additionally, if a situation is beyond an employee's individual capabilities, often the worst course of action is for them to attempt to address it without proper training or expertise. It's important for employees to have easy access to support.

When considering potential risk assessment next steps, individuals can use Vector LiveSafe's Two-Way Messaging to instantly communicate with safety resources, and Resources to check relevant documentation.

4. Take Action

After assessing the risk and considering how to respond, it's time for employees to take action. This may include addressing the concern and proceeding as planned, leaving the worksite, or requesting assistance from a supervisor or local law enforcement. In any case, it's important to document and report outcomes. To do this, employees can use Vector LiveSafe's Tip Submit capabilities, one-touch Emergency Options, and Resources.

• Tip Submit: Vector LiveSafe offers robust tip submission capabilities. Users can easily report topic-specific questions and concerns with included text, images, videos, and voice recordings. By setting tip types, your organization can ensure risks are routed to the right individuals for proper support.
• Emergency Options: In the event of an emergency, employees can instantly contact organizational security team members or local law enforcement from within the LiveSafe mobile app, regardless of their location. Even when traveling internationally, the Global 911 function will update to ensure that workers remain safe.

• Resources: If your organization has a set documentation process, such as a submission platform or survey, these resources can be easily hyperlinked in the Vector LiveSafe Resources section. They can also be sent as a Preset Broadcast Message in response to risk-related tip submissions.

5. Document Everything

Particularly if an employee takes drastic action as the result of a DRA, documentation is critical. All Vector LiveSafe platform activity, such as tip submissions or two-way chats, can be stored and referenced as needed during incident investigations or future policy updates.

Protecting Lone Workers with Risk Assessments

Risk is often uncertain and unexpected. When these challenges emerge, be they small or large, Vector LiveSafe ensures that your community members are never far from help. Tools like Two-Way Communication, Broadcast Messages, and Resources can help your organization more effectively address and respond to dynamic hazards.

ALEXANDRA BRUNJES

Alexandra Brunjes has a B.S. in Neurobiology from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. with minors in Creative Writing and French. She is a published journalist and experienced health and science writer. Her expertise includes risk intelligence, healthcare and neuroscience, and technology.

RYAN MAYFIELD

Ryan Mayfield is an expert in safety communications and user engagement, with experience in industry, government, and academia. Together with the University of Illinois, he helped publish the first-ever study of safety communications using anonymized user data. A graduate of Stanford University, Ryan remains affiliated with the Stanford University Peace Innovation Lab.