Limitations and Risks Associated With Lone Worker Panic Buttons

Lone workers face a variety of risks, from public aggression to workplace accidents. While these incidents can happen in any environment, some locations are more at risk than others.

With Ok Alone, a worker’s smartphone device will visibly show that they are being monitored, giving a strong deterrent against would-be aggressors. In addition, a countdown timer will automatically send an alert to appointed escalation contacts.

1. It is not always possible to locate a lone worker

Some lone workers operate in remote locations far from towns or cities, so getting help may be difficult. For these types of employees, having a panic button or personal alarm can give them peace of mind knowing that help is just a few clicks away.

A lone worker panic button (also known as a duress alarm or emergency signal) can be triggered from a variety of devices, including wearable accessories and a mobile app. It can then send an alert to a specified person or monitoring center, and the device can even send GPS location information to help responders pinpoint where the lone worker is located.

These devices offer a number of benefits for businesses and their employees, but they can also provide some limitations that are important to note. Lone Worker Alarm A key limitation is that the device can only be triggered when it is within proximity of the user. This can be an issue if the user is attacked or incapacitated.

Some lone worker systems also include features like no dead zone technology to ensure that alerts are always delivered, even when the device isn’t in range of a mobile signal or Wi-Fi network. These solutions can be especially useful for remote workers, such as those who work in construction or the healthcare industry. In addition, a few systems feature an online management portal that allows supervisors or managers to check in and receive alerts from their employees, which can be particularly helpful for companies with multiple offices.

2. It is not always possible to communicate with a lone worker

Lone workers are vulnerable because they lack the safety protections of coworkers. Having a panic button to quickly summon help can make the difference in a potentially dangerous situation. However, it’s not always possible to communicate with a lone worker to determine their location or if they have been attacked or injured.

In the United States, lone workers are protected under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (“OSHA”) Standards. OSHA’s standards include a general duty clause that requires employers to provide their employees with working conditions free from hazards that could cause death or serious physical harm.

To ensure that a lone worker can summon immediate help, it’s important for companies to invest in a system with an automated check-in feature. This allows the lone worker to send an alert to their appointed escalation contacts, whether that’s an emergency response team, security guard or supervisor.

Some lone worker devices also offer man-down and fall detection, so that an emergency responder can immediately locate the worker and send assistance if necessary. This type of device is ideal for home healthcare nurses and other lone workers who might be at risk of falls or other accidents.

Connected safety or live monitoring solutions are ideal for lone worker panic buttons because they relay automatic information from the work alone device back to cloud-based software. Managers and other administrators can easily access these updates via their desktop computer or mobile device to quickly identify the location of a lone worker and respond accordingly.

3. It is not always possible to communicate with a lone worker

A lone worker could face a number of threats while working remotely. This includes violence from a customer, theft of equipment or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Therefore, it is crucial that companies put procedures in place to monitor their lone workers. This includes establishing a set of emergency procedures and using technology that can provide the ability to communicate with a remote employee in an instant.

A panic button is a device or app that can be used to signal an urgent need for help. This alarm can be triggered discreetly and silently, making it an effective way to notify colleagues in the event of an incident. In addition, many lone worker devices and apps come with man-down/fall detection features to alert colleagues if an employee has fallen or is incapacitated.

However, it is important to remember that these systems are only a tool and not an absolute solution. If you’re looking to improve your lone worker safety, you should consider implementing a connected safety or live monitoring solution that sends updates directly to a central hub from the device. This allows you to receive instant alerts, including gas readings, location and whether the lone worker has pressed their panic button. It also gives you a greater insight into an individual’s working conditions and circumstances, which can help when sending assistance to a colleague.

4. It is not always possible to communicate with a lone worker

When working alone, it’s not always possible to communicate verbally with colleagues. This can be problematic when an emergency arises, as lone workers might not know who they need to call for help or how to describe their location clearly. Having access to a mobile panic button can help them in these situations.

Portable panic buttons are usually designed to be worn around the neck or wrist, making them quick and easy for employees to use in an emergency. They work over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and can be activated either by pressing a button or using voice commands (e.g. ‘Hey Siri, ask Work Alone for help’ on an iPhone or 'Ok Google, ask Work Alone for help’ on Android).

Unlike fixed panic buttons, these systems can be used even in areas with poor cell signal. This makes them ideal for healthcare facilities and hotel housekeeping teams, where staff can be at risk of violence from guests or customers.

Using a lone worker app with a built-in panic button is a simple and cost-effective way for a lone worker to summon assistance in an emergency. For example, Ok Alone allows users to tap a large red button with the word “help” on the home screen of the app. This will immediately send a signal to the monitoring centre, which can then respond according to their escalation procedure. The app also features a check-in function, which can be triggered by either a text message or voice call. This will allow a lone worker to confirm that they are safe and provide valuable contextual information in the event of an emergency.