For workers who may be at risk of violence or have a medical emergency, lone worker alarms offer peace of mind. These devices or apps allow users to activate a panic, duress or man down alarm that sends a signal to a monitor.
Some also have a ‘check in’ feature that allows users to leave a voice note detailing their situation and location, which is useful in the event of an alert.
1. Two-way communication
Lone workers who are at high risk for assault or who work alone, such as security guards, should consider personal safety alarms. https://loneworkerdevices.co.uk/ These devices connect to live agents 24/7 who can help with emergencies and workplace safety situations. Other workers such as cashiers, real estate agents and custodians can also benefit from these services. Two-way communication enables employees to ask questions and get clarification on instructions, orders, policies and procedures. It also helps to ensure that superiors convey their directions accurately.
Unlike a simple alarm system that requires an employee to manually trigger the alarm, more sophisticated lone worker devices and apps safeguard against a wide range of emergency scenarios using preventative features like automated check-ins, hazard reporting, safety checklists/forms and location alerts. For instance, SHEQSY by SafetyCulture? safeguards lone workers with a comprehensive solution that includes an automatic lone worker monitoring app on smartphones and integrated Bluetooth wearables. It provides a variety of pre-agreed prompts to check in at a customizable interval, sending overtime alerts or panic alerts when they are not responded to within a set timeframe.
Other preventative features include man-down or fall detection, and a no-motion alert that automatically requests help if the device doesn’t detect movement for an extended period of time—a great feature for security guards, utility workers and health nurses who may be at risk for injury while working alone. Because every lone worker is different, a lone worker safety device needs to be adaptable and customized to the individual’s unique circumstances. Ideally, organizations should carry out a People Environment Task risk assessment to identify the most suitable lone worker alarm products for their staff.
2. GPS tracking
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GPS tracking is commonly associated with navigation systems in cars, but it can also be an important feature in a lone worker alarm. It helps to keep people safe, especially those who might be in danger of a fall or who could be subjected to violence or aggression. It works by sending a mobile network signal to a monitoring centre that can pinpoint the location of the person who has triggered their alarm. This information can then be used to alert emergency services or call the person’s emergency contacts.
https://loneworkerdevices.co.uk/man-down-alarm/ Some lone working apps and devices have additional features such as man-down detection, which will send an alert when the device detects no movement for a certain period of time. This can be particularly useful for construction workers who might be unable to trigger their own alarms in the event of an accident or security staff who may be at risk of being confronted by an aggressor.
Regardless of the specific risks of a person’s job, it is a good idea for organizations to have a lone work safety policy in place that requires people to use a personal alarm in the event of an emergency or duress situation. Premier Safety and Grace Industries offer a variety of lone worker alarms that are suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments, from portable devices that are ATEX approved to waterproof solutions that can be used in confined spaces.
3. Panic button
A lone worker alarm with a panic button can be triggered hands-free without touching the device. This is particularly useful for staff who have mobility problems or who can’t operate a touchscreen phone. When pressed the device will send an Emergency SOS alert via SMS to up to 10 contacts along with GPS location data. This allows staff to quickly call for help and provides peace of mind for people who are vulnerable or at risk, such as those who visit occupied homes and don’t have complete control over who is in the home or how they may be treated.
Some lone worker apps offer additional features like duress alerts, which can be triggered by entering a secret PIN number on the screen. This feature is particularly helpful for those who work in high-risk environments or who face risks outside of the workplace such as from aggressive or violent occupants.
Lone worker solutions that include a panic button can also offer comprehensive protection for your employees with features such as a lone worker check-in system, which can be used to verify an employee’s safety status on the job. These systems provide a much more comprehensive solution to protecting employees who are working alone, and can assist in meeting compliance requirements. The best lone worker alarms can be used to monitor staff and their locations in real time, and support businesses in meeting their legal duty of care.
4. Alerts
Many lone worker devices offer a number of alerts which can be activated if the device feels it’s necessary. This can include an audible alarm, verbal announcements and a hands-free speakerphone to communicate with the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) responder to establish which type of help is needed. This allows the ARC to follow a response plan and dispatch appropriate resources if required.
For example, a man-down/fall detection feature can be triggered if employees fail to check in automatically and remain unresponsive for a pre-determined period. In such an event, the device will send a duress alert with GPS location to management and allow monitoring staff to follow the agreed escalation procedure.
Alternatively, an emergency button can be triggered discreetly by employees to ask for assistance without causing alarm or distress. This could be useful for a security guard on patrol or a home visit worker who has an intruder or violent occupant.
Once your staff have triggered an alarm, the devices need to be able to notify you of this as quickly and as reliably as possible. This is where a digital lone worker solution with a web-based management portal comes into play. You can use the online ConnectMe? dashboard to view live alerts and ensure that your team are following the correct escalation procedures. You can also access a history of alerts and audio from genuine red alerts, helping you to track usage levels and identify any areas of training or concern. https://loneworkerdevices.co.uk/fall-detection/
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