Trackplot specialises in keeping outdoor lone workers safe and we appreciate the harsh environmental conditions they can be exposed to, particularly during the winter months. Integrated into Trackplot’s lone worker monitoring system is a unique suite of real-time weather and environmental data, warnings and alerts so customers can anticipate risks and prevent problems. Launched this month are two new additions to the service: UK-wide Personal Severe Weather Notifications and Flood Warnings and Alerts (England).
Emma Thomas, Director of Trackplot Ltd, advises, “These services have been developed especially for outdoor workers, those who travel regularly for work, offsite workers or those in remote regions.”
The main driver behind these new developments is the impact of climate change on the UK weather. According to the Met Office 2024 is predicted to be the world’s warmest on record: January – September 2024 was 1.54°C above pre-industrial levels. Rain in particular will be a challenge across the UK. It has been the wettest September on record for some counties in England receiving more than 300% the average rainfall.
Predictions for 2070 compared to 1990 advise that winters will be between 1 and 4.5°C warmer, up to 30% wetter and the intensity of rain will increase by up to 25%. Days when rainfall exceeds 30mm per hour will happen twice as often.
Research published October 2024 by the Met Office advised “43% of people have been caught out unexpectedly by severe weather over the past year.” And the report confirmed the biggest cause of disruption was heavy rain stopping people getting to work on time or going out.
The second factor which influenced the expansion of Trackplot’s environmental service is HSE’s work-related accidents and fatality statistics. The human impact of poor health & safety is clear: the latest figures from 2023/24 state 138 workers were killed in work-related accidents, 87 members of the public were killed in work-related accidents and 604,000 workers sustained a non-fatal injury. An average of 8 days was taken off work due to a workplace injury. The annual cost of workplace injury alone was £7.1 billion with 4.1 million working days lost. An estimated 15,300 workers withdraw permanently from the labour market annually as a result of a workplace injury or work-related ill health and these are an important sub-set since they incur large costs.
Trackplot anticipates the increasing intensity of weather as climate change worsens will increase risks for outdoor workers and will impact negatively on the UK’s health & safety statistics. Trackplot’s focus on outdoor-specific health & safety tools, enabling customers to prepare and be weather ready, will allow managers to make timely and appropriate decisions to prevent incidents.
What are Personal Severe Weather Notifications?
These individual Notifications are issued to a lone worker if they are in a severe weather region or within 10km of a flood area. Utilising UK-wide Met Office Weather Warning data and Flooding (England) data these Notifications enable the lone worker to reassess their schedule and decide on a contingency or if necessary to abort their mission. The Notification is also sent to the worker’s managers so they are aware when they are potentially at risk.
Trackplot’s Met Office Weather Warning data includes eight different weather types including rain, thunderstorms, wind, snow, lightning, ice, extreme heat and fog.
Flood Warnings and Alerts
The merging of the Environment Agency’s Flood Warnings and Alerts into the Trackplot Portal allows users to check current floods and threats across England. The data includes 4 levels of flood emergency:
| Colour | Warning / Alert Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Severe Flood Warning | Severe Flooding, Danger to Life. |
| Amber | Flood Warning | Flooding is Expected, Immediate Action Required. |
| Yellow | Flood Alert | Flooding is Possible, Be Prepared. |
| Green | Warning no Longer in Force | No longer in force. Be aware of residual water and hidden debris. |
Emma Thomas continues, “Severe weather typically disrupts travel, transport and itineraries; can prevent access to sites; causes power cuts and damage to property and infrastructure. We expect Trackplot’s new tools will help workers and businesses to prepare in advance of weather hitting to prevent situations escalating.
Protect your workers and your business
Use Trackplot’s compilation of weather and environmental services to:
- Crisis manage an incident if a worker is caught in serious weather.
- Arrange work according to your location and the local conditions.
- Postpone schedules which may put lives or property at risk.
To learn more please visit www.trackplot.com
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