Features to Consider When Choosing a Lone Worker Panic Button

Lone worker safety devices go by many names. Whether they're called a duress alarm, emergency signal, SOS alarm or panic button, they all work the same way.

Discreetly activated, they send an alert and GPS location to designated monitors. These can be law enforcement, security or another staff member.

Safety Features





Lone worker safety solutions are designed to offer an effective way for employees to raise the alarm and call for help if they feel unsafe or vulnerable. Many different devices are available, ranging from simple mobile apps to sophisticated wearables. They can be used in a variety of settings and industries, including healthcare, hospitality, security, manufacturing, construction and offices.

The key to finding the right device for your needs is knowing how it will integrate with your existing safety policies and procedures. A lone worker panic button should enable and empower your staff to follow these protocols at all times, keeping them safe in emergency and high-risk situations and maintaining compliance with government workplace health and safety regulations.

Some devices are also equipped with GPS tracking technology that allows managers to monitor the location of their team members in real time. This feature is particularly useful when working in hazardous or remote locations, where an employee could become lost or injured. In addition, a GPS tracker can be configured to send an automatic alert to designated contacts if the device is triggered by an unusual or dangerous event.

Most lone workers would hope to never need to use their device, but the reality is that accidents do happen. Some of Pick Protection’s lone worker devices and apps have been activated when an employee has felt threatened or attacked by aggressive customers, intruders, and other threatening situations at work. In each case, the employee immediately raised an SOS using their lone worker panic button and was contacted by operators who determined their safety or notified the police as appropriate.

A personal alarm panic button can be helpful in reducing the risk of aggressive or inappropriate behavior, as it will notify customers and other people that the employee is calling for help. However, a loud alarm can also agitate an already vulnerable person, and can escalate a situation that could otherwise be resolved peacefully.

A better alternative to the standard personal alarm panic button is a fully integrated lone worker safety solution, like the one offered by SHEQSY. This comprehensive lone worker safety system allows employees to easily trigger duress, check in at regular intervals, share reports and documents, complete forms and checklists, and more from their smartphone app. Meanwhile, managers can view their team’s locations in real-time, run reports and other safety functions from the SHEQSY dashboard.

Functionality

Lone workers are at increased risk for violence, robbery and physical assault because they don’t have immediate access to help from colleagues or emergency services. Whether they’re healthcare professionals, hotel staff or construction engineers, all workers can benefit from the added peace of mind that comes with having a personal safety device. Panic buttons are an affordable way to provide that extra security. But not all devices are created equal. Before implementing any panic button solution, you should consider the features and functionality to ensure it will work properly in an emergency situation.

The most important feature is live monitoring and the ability to send instant alerts to a dedicated team member or the alarm receiving centre (ARC). Most lone worker apps have this functionality as well, but it’s also worth checking that any hardware you invest in has this too.

A good lone worker device should be able to detect when it’s been activated by an employee. It should then notify the ARC of that fact, along with the exact GPS location of the user and the emergency response procedure that needs to be followed.

You’ll also want to ensure the device works reliably in all conditions, even if the mobile network isn’t working. Many wireless lone worker alarm devices will have a backup system such as satellite which can operate in areas with low or no signal. And, if the user isn’t able to respond to an automated check-in alert, an automatic man down or duress alarm should be automatically triggered.

Finally, you’ll want to check how discreet the device is. Some will have a small and portable design that can be worn around the neck or attached to keys, so it’s less obvious than a smartphone app or a traditional panic button.

A lone worker device should also be able to prevent false alarms by requiring employees to enter a PIN to cancel the alert. This will prevent attackers from accidentally closing a bogus alarm and causing the user more harm. This feature is also useful for healthcare and hospitality professionals who might experience aggressive or threatening behaviour from patients, guests or customers.

Convenience

Lone workers are often on their own for extended periods of time and may not be able to quickly find or unlock their phones in the event of an emergency. Having the ability to simply press a button and have help sent to them is invaluable for their safety. Choosing a solution that can signal an alarm without the user needing to unlock their phone or scroll through a menu is vital for those at risk of violence, experiencing a medical incident or working in environments where they could easily fall or be exposed to other hazards.

A lone worker device with a hands-free panic button can work in conjunction with a mobile app to allow a user to call for assistance without needing to unlock their phone or worry about the dangers of doing so. It also offers a range of other features that make it ideal for use in many different types of environment, such as a man down/fall detection alarm, which can be triggered manually or automatically, depending on the device, and an automatic check-in functionality that will send an alert to the ARC if a device has not been triggered in a specified amount of time.

The most important consideration to think about when selecting a lone worker solution is how it will fit in with your business’ existing safety policies and procedures. You will need to determine which areas of your business are most at risk and decide what the best response would be if an employee were to trigger an alarm. This might include a text message with GPS location, a phone call to the device, an audio recording of the alarm, or a computer pop-up message.

It is also important to consider whether the lone worker solution you choose will be compatible with your cellular network and WIFI service, especially in areas where there might be a low or no cell signal. Choosing a wireless solution that is compatible with your cellular service will ensure you can deliver full functionality to your employees when they need it.

Cost

Working alone can be a liberating experience but also has its dangers. Whether they’re realtors showing open homes, utility workers operating in remote or dangerous areas, health nurses visiting patients at home, or security guards on patrol, lone workers are often secluded from colleagues and can be vulnerable to attacks and violence. A personal panic button or lone worker alarm allows them to signal for help quickly and discreetly when in trouble.

These devices can be as simple as a pendant-style panic button that can be worn around the neck or clipped to clothing, or as sophisticated as a lone worker safety app linked to a mobile device. When triggered, they send a duress alert to a designated person(s) or monitoring center that can be monitored 24/7. wearable safety devices Some devices offer additional functionality such as two-way communication, real-time location tracking, and even the ability to record a voice note for extra impact.

One of the biggest considerations for employers is cost, particularly with standalone devices. These usually have a significant upfront cost as well as monthly service charges for SIMs and access to the lone worker system. Adding to the cost of the device itself is the fact that there may be a number of other hidden costs such as maintenance and battery replacement charges.

Despite these costs, there is an argument to be made for the necessity of lone worker panic buttons. Employers have a legal duty to ensure the safety of their employees and should take every reasonable step to protect them. While laws differ across the country and industry, the vast majority of them require businesses to provide a safe working environment.

While the law doesn’t directly state that companies need to equip their lone workers with personal safety devices, the OSH Act does mandate that employers must “make sure that each employee is provided with employment and a workplace free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.” The provision for this comes in the form of an employer’s “duty of care” and requires them to consider all possible risks and to take every reasonably practicable precaution to safeguard their staff.