Comparison of Different Lone Worker Safety Solutions

A dedicated lone worker safety solution, such as StaySafe, offers an app and surrounding monitoring hub to ensure staff are protected. This takes the burden away from internal teams and onto trained specialists.

Worn devices like fall detection watches and wristbands help workers to avoid injuries and get immediate assistance. They are important for remote or outdoor work and are usually paired with an Emergency SOS function.

What is a Lone Worker?

Working alone can expose employees to a variety of hazards including physical injury, violence and crime. It is essential that lone workers are protected in accordance with legislation, workplace policies and procedures and that employers have adequate monitoring solutions in place to ensure their safety.

Innovative lone worker solutions use powerful technology to automatically monitor staff and provide alerts only when necessary. These systems remove the need for human operators to confirm over the phone that an employee is safe, which can be time consuming and potentially distracting.

Some lone worker solution providers offer a closed system, which means that your business will be reliant on the technologies and services of just one provider. This is often less costly, but may limit your choice of features and flexibility and may not be the best long-term solution for your organization. Other lone worker devices use satellite technology to pinpoint the location of an employee and offer two-way communication for staff who work in areas with low or no signal.

What is a Lone Worker Solution?

Typically, innovative safety solutions use a mix of technologies to support different lone working scenarios. These devices can range from mobile smartphones with a safety app to Bluetooth panic alarms or standalone devices such as smartbands that allow employees to check in and alert their employer of an emergency.

Many lone workers are healthcare professionals who visit patients in their homes or other remote locations, transport drivers who travel long routes and resource workers who check on or maintain assets such as oil rigs, generators or forestry harvesting equipment. These workers must feel connected to their company and reassured of their employer’s commitment to their safety.

Traditional approaches to lone worker monitoring involve workers calling in to a monitor at scheduled intervals to confirm that they are safe. While these methods meet compliance requirements, they can be a drain on resources and a straightjacket for businesses that need to streamline operations. Innovative lone worker solutions, such as SHEQSY, provide real-time location visibility, welfare status and activity data to keep teams productive and safe.

What is a Lone Worker Monitoring Solution?

A lone worker monitoring solution is an online system designed to help employers protect their employees in the event of an emergency while minimizing disruptions and avoiding privacy concerns. Lone worker systems typically provide real-time GPS location tracking, duress alarm activation, hazard reporting and more. The best lone worker solutions integrate with Bluetooth wearables, smartphones and handheld satellite devices to suit the unique needs of different types of employees.

Choosing the right lone worker monitoring solution starts with identifying the specific risks that a particular employee will face on the job. For example, some lone workers may be exposed to people-based hazards in urban areas where others might be faced with environmental risks like hazardous terrain. Knowing this will help you determine the level of security you should expect from a commercial solution provider. Ultimately you want to choose a service that offers live monitoring and instant alerts in case of an emergency. A quick response from a lone worker monitoring service will minimize the chance of an accident occurring.

What is a Lone Worker Alarm System?

Lone Worker Alarm Systems offer an effective way for workers at risk to request emergency assistance, whether they’re healthcare professionals carrying out home care visits, utility workers working in remote or hazardous locations or surveyors completing site inspections. Using devices such as standalone pendants, Bluetooth buttons or bespoke apps, lone worker alarm solutions ensure that users are protected, even when they are out of sight and out of contact with colleagues.

Closed solution providers provide their own technologies and services that must be integrated by the organizations using them. This can add to upfront costs and can restrict the company’s ability to expand its operations in future.

NZ Lone Worker Alarms Open solution providers are typically “device agnostic” and work with the organization to determine how best to integrate their technology into a lone worker safety solution that meets the needs of its people and environment. This approach also helps to discover areas where the implementation process could streamline operations and reduce costs.