The Benefits of Lone Worker Devices for Construction Workers

Lone worker devices save businesses money and provide peace of mind. They include time based check ins with automated countdowns and GPS tracking.

They can also detect falls, which is important for workers who may be working in confined spaces. And they can include multiple gas detection features, allowing them to be used for a variety of jobs.

Safety

Many lone workers perform their duties in remote locations without a team of coworkers to rely on for support. These individuals often face safety risks that cannot be seen, such as electrical shock or falling from a height, acts of violence and the presence of hazardous wildlife.

A lone worker device with GPS location monitoring can ensure that a person gets help in the event of an emergency. The lone worker device’s background mode allows the tracking function to operate even when the lone worker app isn’t open on a phone’s screen throughout a shift, so workers can use their phones for work but remain protected. When a user presses the panic button or the timed monitoring session expires, AlertMedia’s 24-hour Monitoring Center is informed that a worker needs assistance. Law enforcement can then be sent to the worker’s precise location using their GPS coordinates.

The devices also provide a check-in feature that requires users to check in with a supervisor or designated contact before the device automatically triggers an alarm. This helps employees to stay safe and ensures that they follow company policies regarding safety.

Communication

Lone worker devices provide an avenue to communicate with others if an accident happens and employees can’t reach a supervisor or team member. Depending on the device and safety protocols in place, workers can check-in with a monitor or colleague for a specified period of time, use a built-in emergency alarm to request help, or send an alert to the monitoring system if they’re not safe.

Some dangers aren’t always obvious – whether working outside in adverse weather conditions, using dangerous chemicals, or moving around equipment and machinery that may be out of alignment. Medical emergencies like heart attacks or severe allergic reactions can occur and employees must be prepared for these risks when they’re working alone.

Using a lone worker app or device, employees can alert colleagues or a monitor with the press of a button and GPS technology provides an accurate location to respond to any call for help. Other features like man down alarms can notify emergency services if an employee becomes unconscious, while solutions for workers who are out of mobile phone range or in remote locations, such as satellite devices, allow employees to stay safe and ensure they aren’t stranded without help.

Combined with thorough lone working documentation, such as clear policies and risk assessments, a lone worker solution can be the key to protecting construction workers’ health, wellbeing and security. Come and see us at the Lone Worker Expo to learn more about putting your team’s safety first with our robust solutions.

Access to Information

Lone worker devices that use GPS technology allow employers to access a worker’s location in real time, even when there is no cellular connectivity. The ability to communicate and be tracked in these remote locations allows a lone worker to request help should they need it, which also helps to ensure that workplace health and safety regulations are met.

Employers need to consider a range of factors when choosing the right device for their lone workers. These include assessing each worker’s risks, establishing clear emergency response protocols, implementing check-in systems, and using communication technologies. lone worker australia In addition, a range of different sensors can be used to improve the overall safety and security of a worker including weather or chemical risks, movement detection, and even augmented reality goggles like those from Google Glass.

Regardless of the type of lone worker device chosen, it’s essential to ensure that the device is easy to use and understand for employees. A lone worker app should allow employees to check in, with a count down that automatically ends if no response is received. It should also provide the option to call for help, track a worker’s location in real time, and notify a 24/7 safety monitoring centre in case of a duress event. Some devices, such as the Garmin inReach satellite communicator, allow workers to generate automatic history reports for management purposes and verify their safety status and location remotely from a cloud-based dashboard.

Convenience

It can be challenging for lone workers to keep in contact with their supervisors. They may be out of sight for long periods of time, or their work may involve them in a physically isolated space like a vehicle or plant. Two-way communication tools, such as status checks or polls, can help a manager reach out to a lone worker and verify their well-being. This helps employers meet OSHA safety requirements and discourages lone workers from hiding signs of physical or mental distress.

Lone workers can also use devices that are equipped with a panic button to instantly notify the company’s emergency response center of any crisis situation. The system can then dispatch emergency services and monitor the situation from a central location. This can prove particularly helpful for lone workers who are in dangerous situations such as those working with chemicals or on construction sites where they may be exposed to fall hazards.

It’s important for companies to have clearly established lone working procedures and to provide training on them. It’s also a good idea to produce a work alone checklist that lone workers can refer back to until the procedures become second nature to them. This is a practical way to demonstrate that the company values its staff and is taking steps to protect them.