The new smartphone game Pokémon Go is causing health and safety concerns as its popularity soars in the UK.
The Pokémon Go game involves players using their phones to capture virtual creatures in their immediate vicinity in the real world. Progressing in the game involves 'Pokeballs' which are needed to catch monsters and can be found at 'Pokestops'. Players use these captured creatures to fight other players at 'gyms'. 'Pokestops' and 'gyms' are located in public places such as churches, libraries and landmarks set out in the game on a virtual map. Digital technology on smartphones including GPS and cameras is used to determine potential routes for gamers. Following this so far?
The location of 'gyms' and 'Pokestops' on virtual maps is causing controversy as they could be along a river path or in a dark side street. Pokémon Go does not warn users that they are walking in an area with a high crime rate.
Earlier this week Lisbeth Fromling, chief health and safety officer at Network Rail, said: "We do have safety concerns around the locations of certain PokeGyms and PokeStops which we believe are too close to the working railway.
"We are concerned that by playing the game on or very close to our infrastructure, young people are likely to be distracted and even less aware than usual of the risks around them."
"We are in the process of making contact with the app developers and with Nintendo to share our concerns in the hope that we can work together to make the app safer."
Three students had their phones stolen recently whilst playing the game in Manchester. The National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children has issued a parent's guide to Pokémon Go to encourage safety. Police Scotland twitter pages light heartedly joked recently that 'I was looking for a Pokestop' is not an acceptable reason for being on the roof of a shop at 2am.
What are the potential risks for employers?
Employers should consider a number of potential steps including:-
- Blocking the Pokémon app on company owned devices.
- Ensuring that employees install encryption software if using the same device for work and play.
- Monitor or prohibit employees from downloading external programs or applications which pose a security risk like Pokémon Go.
- Ensure that health and safety guidelines and site rules prohibit the use of Pokémon Go during worktime and restrict when such applications can be used during non-work hours.
In highly regulated areas such as Healthcare the impact of a distracted workforce on patient health and safety could cause a significant risk. Employers should be wary of the need to risk assess under health and safety legislation. The requirements may now arguably extend to patrolling potential Pokémon user pathways which become apparent on sites owned by employers – checking doors, gates and unauthorised areas.
Training security staff on Pokémon Go protocols may be necessary to respectfully reroute players. On the other hand some businesses may want to attract Pokémon Go users to their premises – fear not as the game allows exactly such a function- to purchase a 'lure' to attract Pokémon players and customers. The Health and Safety Executive guidance is eagerly anticipated.
Disclaimer
The material contained in this article is of the nature of general comment only and does not give advice on any particular matter. Recipients should not act on the basis of the information in this e-update without taking appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.
