Testing and Certification of Lone Worker Panic Buttons
Testing and certification is one of the most important aspects of developing a new product. Without it, manufacturers risk disappointing customers and losing business to competitors who have taken the time to make their products comply with safety standards.
As reports of verbal and sexual harassment among hotel hospitality staff continue to rise, many cities have passed regulations requiring hotels to provide their employees with panic buttons.
Safety Training
In any business where employees work alone, having a safety plan in place is essential. Lone worker alarms in the form of either wearable panic buttons or software operating on desktop and mobile are a great way to protect those who may be at greater risk of harm whilst working alone.
The best lone worker alarms provide a discreet and easy to use panic button enabling employees in vulnerable situations to request help quickly. This is especially useful for those who work in isolation such as social workers, in home healthcare and real estate agents. Fixed panic buttons are also common in stores dealing with large amounts of cash, banks and betting shops to reassure customers and staff that they can request help in case of a robbery or violent incident.
Upon trigger, a lone worker alarm will send an alert via text or phone call to designated monitors who will follow the protocol set out in the lone worker safety plan. They will then contact emergency services or dispatch a local manned response team to assist the employee. They will also provide the GPS location of the worker to help them identify their position. Some solutions offer a hands free option with a timed monitoring session and an integrated panic button as well as a DSEAR compliant solution for those who operate in potentially hazardous environments such as an ATEX rated zone.
Monitoring
Panic buttons enable employees to alert a monitoring team of an emergency situation – such as being subjected to verbal or physical abuse, experiencing a medical emergency or witnessing a colleague in distress. They are especially useful in professions like security, community healthcare, hotel housekeeping, cleaning and other service industries that may be at increased risk of violence or assault.
Lone worker panic devices can also monitor and report on the status of a lone worker, such as whether they’ve checked in at pre-determined intervals or their device has detected that they have stopped moving (Man Down detection). Additionally, if they don’t check in within an expected timeframe, their smartphone will automatically send an overtime alert to management. This is particularly useful for workers that are required to be on the job outside of regular working hours, such as maintenance workers or utility repair staff.
The SHEQSY lone worker app, integrated with a wearable panic button or handheld satellite device, can also trigger Man Down or Panic Alerts after a period of inactivity, providing organizations with the option to dispatch emergency services according to their escalation procedures. Furthermore, an online dashboard makes it easy for management to access and manage lone worker alarms via mobile, desktop or PC, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This real-time information enables businesses to ensure that their staff are safe and supported, ensuring compliance with workplace health and safety laws.
Communication
A lone worker panic button enables staff to call for help even if they’re not at their device or the office. It’s just a simple click of the button to send an alert to their monitor or a live call centre, with location information attached if available.
This allows emergency responders to immediately locate the person in need. They can then talk to the employee and follow their escalation procedures to take the appropriate action.
Personal alert safety systems Lone workers may be in situations where they’re vulnerable to attacks or robbery, or even medical emergencies that could put their lives at risk. Personal panic buttons, either in the form of pendants or mobile apps, give lone workers a discreet way to signal for help, without alarming anyone else.
Some cities and states have passed staff safety laws that require employers to provide lone workers with personal panic buttons. This is particularly common in industries that are more susceptible to attacks on staff, such as hospitality and hotel workers who are at risk of assault and harassment from unauthorized guests. In such cases, a lone worker panic button can make all the difference when they press it to send a duress alert to their monitoring system or a trusted contact. Then, if they don’t respond within the allotted time, law enforcement can be sent to their exact location.
Maintenance
Lone worker panic buttons help employees who work alone or in remote locations call for assistance if they feel threatened by aggressive customers, hotel guests, or even an accident at the jobsite. These devices can be triggered by pressing a button or by using an app that alerts the device’s emergency contacts, including family members and colleagues. Some devices also allow employees to manually signal for help with a blue tooth panic button that works on smartphones, landlines, and pagers, allowing them to use technology they already carry on their person.
When a lone worker triggers an alarm, their GPS location is immediately sent to the device’s monitor. Depending on the device, the monitor can then follow a predetermined escalation plan for response, including calling 911 or local authorities. They can also text or email the employee to communicate with them directly. Many lone worker devices also have real time SOS delivery confirmation, so the employee knows that their call for help was heard.
Providing your employees with access to a panic button will help ensure their safety and increase workplace morale by showing that you care about their well-being. To help employees become familiar with the device, a training program should be provided that explains the importance of the system and encourages them to use it.
