Hi, we run a monitoring call centre which at night is manned by a single operative. We do have procedures in place to call neighbouring centres regularly, man down system, redcare, etc.. After an audit I have identified we could buy in help, but been told we have no budget to buy in any further help from CCTV or specialist lone worker monitoring companies. Does anyone have any ideas of what we can put in place which has zero cost to keep the service compliant?

You seem to have reasonable controls already in place for what appears to be a relatively low risk task. What risks that don't have the necessary controls have you identified that makes you think that you aren't 'compliant'?

Complete a risk assessment for night shift workers and seek input from an occupational health specialist if not already in place. You could also look at the nature of the task and the ergonomics involved. If this job entails looking at screens all the time I would look to break it up with perhaps an hourly reminder (software driven) to carry out another task away from the desk / console. Power station control room operatives is a similar task (although not lone working) and they have to perform regular status checks on gauges etc. This breaks up the shift and gets them moving around the control room. If the job is security related (ARC or CCTV control room) then the danger points would be entry to and exit from the building. Ensure the building has a low key presence and have duress codes built in to the alarm system - normally just a software / programming fix. Also ensure areas outside are well lit so that assailants cannot hide in shadow.