The Benefits of Lone Worker Devices for Construction Workers

Construction workers face numerous risks while performing their duties. Some hazards are not obvious, which can leave them unprotected or unaware of potential dangers.

Lone worker devices provide a vital communication system and safety monitoring for employees working alone. They have many features including a discreet panic button, fall detection, GPS and no movement alerts.

Safety

Lone workers perform tasks without coworkers around them and are at a greater risk for on-the-job injuries. They also often work in isolated areas with little or no cell phone reception, making communication more difficult. lone worker safety devices Luckily, technology can help protect lone workers by giving employers the ability to monitor them remotely. These devices can be in the form of smartphone apps, handheld satellite devices or Bluetooth buttons and enable a number of functions including panic/emergency activation and alerting, GPS location sharing and periodic well-being check-ins.

A well-known benefit of a lone worker device is that it helps ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, which can save businesses the cost of fines or potential lawsuits. It can also improve employee retention and boost productivity by giving employees peace of mind that their safety is a priority.

It is important to develop detailed lone working protocols for construction workers, which can include a documented risk assessment and details on how the device should be used. These should be communicated with workers in advance to make sure they are fully aware of the risks and what to do if an emergency occurs. It is also beneficial to have a solution that includes man down alarms, as they can detect when a worker is not moving for a set period of time, indicating that they may be unconscious or injured.

Confidence

Workers often face invisible hazards when they’re working alone. While equipment like hard hats and ear muffs can help prevent minor injuries, many risks cannot be seen.

When a worker is facing an insurmountable task or feeling particularly vulnerable, they can use a lone worker device to alert colleagues and emergency services of their situation. The device will send a signal to the monitoring centre and will activate a Man Down alarm (or Worker Down alarm depending on the brand). A man down trigger will be active for a pre-determined amount of time, indicating to responders that the user is at risk of injury.

The device will also be able to pinpoint the worker’s location using GPS tracking. This allows emergency response teams to find them quickly without needing to call 999 or waiting for the worker to call in themselves. The device can also be set to work in background mode, meaning the app does not need to remain open for the entirety of a worker’s shift.

These benefits of a lone worker safety solution are why they’re becoming increasingly popular for social workers, home healthcare and insurance professionals who visit clients in their homes, real estate agents and construction workers who often work alone. While it is important to still have a comprehensive communications plan in place, an automated lone worker monitoring tool can add an extra layer of security and confidence for your team.

Two-Way Communication

Lone workers often operate in hazardous environments. Whether they are working alone in an isolated field or a remote cell tower site, or even if they are working in the middle of the night at a convenience store, there is always the potential for danger to arise. These dangers may not be visible to the worker, especially if they are operating in a remote area, so it is important for employers to implement rigorous lone worker safety procedures.

These procedures should include a risk assessment of the job, as well as training in how to respond to any potential emergencies or accidents that occur. In addition, the use of a lone worker device can also help to ensure that these risks are minimized. These devices can provide an emergency signal, a panic button, no movement alarms and crew assist functionality that will alert supervisors to the situation and allow them to respond rapidly.

SHEQSY’s lone worker solutions enable companies to monitor and report on employees who work alone, either through smartphones with lone worker apps or satellite trackers and communicators. These devices can send periodic or real-time status updates, provide two-way communication and have long-life batteries that are able to withstand drops and harsh conditions. They can also trigger SOS or duress notifications, which are monitored by our 24/7 safety monitoring center and logged in our cloud-based dashboard.

Peace of Mind

Lone workers can often feel isolated as they are not working in a team environment. Being able to check in with monitoring operatives can give them the peace of mind that they are not alone and that their safety is being looked after. They can rest assured that they will not be forgotten and that someone will be alerted if they don’t respond to their regular checks in time.





A key benefit of lone worker devices is that they allow employees to call for help at the push of a button. This helps reduce the stress and worry of being isolated on site and makes a significant difference to their mental wellbeing. The ability to alert their supervisor in an emergency situation is also a huge reassurance for employees, particularly if they are at risk of violence or aggression.

Providing a device to monitor their safety can also ensure that employers are compliant with health and safety regulations, reducing the risk of fines or lawsuits. This can help businesses retain their employees as they are confident that the business is taking its obligations seriously.

Lone worker devices can include a range of features, depending on the needs of your business and the risk profile of your employees. These can include panic/emergency activation and alerting, GPS location tracking, two-way communication (including Push to Talk), fall detection and more. Contact us at SureSafe to find out how we can protect your lone workers with our comprehensive range of solutions, designed to suit both their needs and your operational requirements.