Lone Worker Safety Devices

Lone worker safety devices are an indispensable asset to any company that employs employees working under challenging conditions or traveling to remote locations. There are various devices available; choosing one tailored to the needs of your team will increase its use.

An important consideration when searching for an RV is:





Fall Detection

Fall detection devices or man down alarms should be top priorities when searching for a lone worker safety device. These alarms can detect falls without users having to manually activate an alert; and many models are designed so as to be comfortable enough for workers to wear or carry in their pockets.

Workers at risk of falling due to slips, trips or medical conditions can benefit greatly from devices with fall detection features, particularly lone workers such as paramedics and police officers who work alone and face unexpected hazards in their duties. Devices equipped with fall detection features can offer them much-needed peace of mind during shifts.

Many lone worker safety devices can be integrated with smartphones and other mobile devices, which is an attractive solution for companies looking to keep employee costs down. Also, using an existing device means your lone workers will already be familiar with it - making integration into workflow easier. It is important to keep in mind, though, that any device which requires separate mobile phones might reduce efficiency as workers must keep them in their pockets or bags throughout the day.

Consideration should also be given when selecting a device designed for lone workers to ensure it provides them with a means to communicate in an emergency situation. Some devices feature emergency buttons which send text messages directly to designated contacts or control room operators in case of crisis situations, which is especially helpful for workers isolated by themselves and need to contact someone quickly in case something occurs that requires immediate communication with others.

Personal Alert Safety System Other lone worker devices allow users to check-in with a supervisor or team member, providing employers with a means of monitoring that their lone workers remain active and safe while on the job. Many also feature GPS functionality which enables users to transmit their exact location immediately - this feature is particularly important for emergency responders, as knowing exactly where someone they're searching for is helps them respond more appropriately in emergency situations.

No-Motion Alerts

Personal safety devices are typically discrete pieces of technology that must be carried and charged regularly; in contrast, lone worker monitoring tools often come in the form of apps installed onto phones that transform them into reliable monitoring tools for employees, including GPS tracking, two-way communication features such as automatic emergency detection and panic buttons; others, like Blackline's SafetyLine app offer RFID tag scanning features that notify managers when specific areas have been patrolled by workers.

Some lone worker safety devices feature man down/no motion detectors that monitor worker movements and send an alert if no movement has been detected for an extended period, to prevent false alarms due to sudden movements such as falls or accidental button presses activating it accidentally. A worker can deactivate this sensor by shaking their phone or pressing any button so it does not continuously send alerts out.

Other lone worker safety devices include gas sensors that can detect dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and other gases in an environment, making this feature especially helpful in waste disposal sites, factories and laboratories. Cloud-connected lone worker safety devices also add another layer of protection as updates to software changes can be automatically updated without needing to download and install updates manually on individual devices.

To maximize the effectiveness of lone worker safety systems, it's best to choose one partnered with live monitoring services. This ensures that any worker unable to raise an alarm is quickly assisted by trained personnel. Furthermore, creating a strong culture of safety among your employees with clear expectations, appropriate tools, ongoing training and recognition for safe behavior is key for creating an effective safety program that ensures every workday ends safely.

Two-Way Messaging

Lone workers face some of the most dangerous jobs worldwide and could become targets of violence, aggression or accidental injury. To ensure their protection and to make sure the appropriate people know of any incidents quickly. To do this effectively. it's key that they can easily signal for help and the necessary people are made aware quickly of any situations they are in.

Lone worker safety devices provide employees with several features, including two-way messaging, that can make all the difference during emergency situations. Employees can contact supervisors or security teams quickly with details regarding their location and circumstances in an effort to reduce response times from rescue crews.

Alert Alarm Many lone worker safety devices feature GPS technology that can locate an individual at any moment and identify potential risks early. Furthermore, this feature enables managers to remotely monitor employee status. If a device detects that an employee has stopped moving for extended periods, this may trigger an alert protocol with personnel and initiate escalation procedures as soon as the employee stops moving again.

Once upon a time, lone workers could only confirm their safety by calling or messaging supervisors on regular intervals to report that they were still alive and check in with them - but now, some lone worker safety devices can automate this process for them. A worker using the Garmin inReach Explorer+ device for instance, can schedule regular check-ins with SafetyLine; should one of those check-ins not occur as expected, SafetyLine sends an automated notice back to its monitoring center alerting supervisors about who might need to check-in next.

Workers using certain lone worker safety devices can quickly create and send an SOS emergency message by simply pressing a button, and sending this via SMS to up to 10 contacts and including GPS location data for quick locating of those needing help.

When selecting a lone worker safety device, it is crucial that it fits comfortably and easily onto workers. While some models can be worn directly onto workers, others must be handheld and carried from job to job while remembering to charge it regularly. In extreme work environments or remote areas, some devices even feature satellite technologies which pinpoint workers and offer two-way communication with remote sites.

Satellite Devices

Lone workers frequently operate in remote or harsh environments where mobile phone signal penetration is limited, making cell phones unusable in an emergency situation. A satellite device provides alerts through another communication channel than mobile phones - particularly helpful if an alarm has been triggered and no phone can reach them to call for help. Furthermore, this type of lone worker safety device can detect acceleration and impact events and notify monitors by text, email, or phone call in case an incident has taken place.

These devices for lone worker safety can be worn around the neck or wrist, clipped to clothing or integrated into ID badges and feature one-touch alarms activated by pressing a button. Workers can use a touchscreen on these devices to confirm their safety and check in with supervisors or designated contacts using touchscreen display capability; some models even feature GPS tracking so lone workers can be located quickly during emergencies.

Some lone workers may find it inconvenient or impossible to carry devices that detect gas, provide two-way communication or GPS location services. A carry device can be attached to their belt or pocket; workers just have to remember to bring it from job to job and keep it charged up. Some devices even come equipped with this functionality built directly into their app so it can be installed onto existing portable technology like smartphones or tablets for ease of use.

Lone work can be dangerous, and employers have an obligation to protect these employees. Failing to do so may result in fines, reputational damage and even jail time for companies found breaking health and safety standards.

Step one to ensuring the safety of your workers is to conduct an environmental and workplace risk analysis, then assess whether lone worker safety devices are necessary. If so, step two should involve finding user-friendly devices that integrate smoothly into workflow. Ask yourself the key questions listed above in order to identify one that meets all your requirements so your team can safely continue performing essential tasks.