Employees who spend most or all of their working day by themselves or interacting with the public can be vulnerable – estate agents, social workers, delivery staff, debt collectors and technicians are just some examples. These employees need a discreet way to check in and raise an alarm.
You must take a proactive approach to meeting your duty of care and implement an effective lone worker alarm system. The system you choose depends on the level of risk that your employees face through a risk assessment.
1. Hardware
A lone worker alarm system is comprised of a device that allows staff to contact colleagues, management or emergency services if they feel threatened or lose their way. The cost of the hardware depends on the level of risk your employees face and the type of job they do. For example, a home health care nurse might need a personal alarm that alerts colleagues and security personnel when they have been alone in an unfamiliar neighborhood for too long while an industrial maintenance employee might require a man-down/fall detection device with tilt technology.
A great way to determine what type of equipment your team needs is to carry out a lone worker risk assessment. This isn’t just a legal obligation to ensure your employees’ safety but also shows that you have considered their wellbeing as part of your overall workplace health and safety policy.
Some lone worker devices allow users to call for help by pressing a button, while others use motion sensors and GPS to detect falls or lack of movement and notify monitoring centres automatically. Many also allow employees to send a ‘check-in’ alert, which can be triggered via smartphone apps and requires them to confirm their status within a set timeframe to prevent false alarms. Most lone worker devices also record their location, including street address, latitude and longitude or 'what3words' addresses so that responders can get to them quickly.
2. Installation
A lone worker alarm is a safety device designed to monitor and protect employees who work alone or in remote locations. The devices vary in design but they generally include features like GPS monitoring, panic buttons, and periodic well-being check-ins. By deploying lone worker alarms, organisations can reduce liability, save money and ensure compliance with local workplace health and safety laws.
For example, imagine a healthcare nurse on a home visit is threatened by an aggressive occupant. The lone worker alarm is able to notify management, who can dispatch emergency services immediately. This can save lives by cutting down response times and preventing a situation from escalate.
The alarms can also have extra sensors to detect falls, acceleration and impact. Additionally, some models come with a man down feature that can be deployed automatically if the device senses that the user is incapacitated (device dependent). The devices have a built-in microphone and speaker for two-way communication.
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The devices can either be self-monitored or can be connected to a 24/7 Blackline safety centre that will live monitor the device, and if necessary escalation procedures can be put in place to contact emergency services. The lone worker alarms have GPS tracking, which helps to pinpoint the location of the user and can even direct emergency services straight to the incident site, bypassing 999 call centres.
3. Monitoring
Lone worker alarms provide more than just a means to call for help. They also monitor the worker to identify an incident as soon as possible and then respond using your agreed escalation procedures. https://maps.app.goo.gl/dZRikbGKHWb2ushQ9 This is particularly important for office workers if they are working alone, as they may not be able to access a phone or other device quickly in an emergency.
Some lone worker devices include features that allow for more advanced monitoring, such as GPS tracking to locate an employee if they can’t call, and fall detection. These are especially useful for those who work with hazardous materials and may be unable to raise the alarm themselves in the event of an accident.
Typically, these devices are worn around the neck or attached to keys and are designed to be discreet, so that they can easily be used by staff who are not tech-savvy. The device can be set to automatically notify pre-programmed contacts if the worker presses the panic button and even include a geo fence to alert carers if a worker wanders too far from a designated area.
SHEQSY combines these lone worker devices with a 24/7 monitoring service and management dashboard. This allows you to monitor duress incidents yourself or use the monitoring center based on your own internal processes, and reduces costs compared to standalone solutions that carry connectivity charges, licence payments and monthly subscription fees.
4. Subscription
Lone worker alarms are available to help monitor and protect employees who work alone or in remote locations. The devices offer GPS monitoring, panic buttons, periodic check-ins, and two-way communication. They help keep employees safe, provide peace of mind to everyone involved, reduce liability, and ensure compliance with government health and safety regulations.
A lone worker device can be used as a duress alarm or to report an emergency situation to the authorities, such as a fire or medical emergency. This allows employees to quickly alert someone for assistance without having to unlock their mobile phone and dial for help. https://maps.app.goo.gl/En6gNf6B5GrQJVs18 The device works by a 24-hour monitoring center, which can dispatch law enforcement to the location of the threat.
There are many options available for a lone worker device, from personal alarm pendants that operate using 4G cellular networks, to handheld satellite communications devices like the Garmin inReach. These lone worker safety solutions can be self-monitored by the company using their internal teams or they can be linked to a 24/7 alarm receiving centre such as Blackline Safety.
Depending on the risk profile of your employees, you can choose from a range of lone worker alarm models that include a fall detection and speed alert feature. You can also add a battery saving mode, silent operation, and customise the device for your workplace needs.
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