Personal Alarms For Lone Workers

Many people may not think of themselves as lone workers, but if they work alone or go out at night on their own then they are. Personal alarms for lone workers help keep staff safe when they need it most.

When a worker triggers their device it sends an instant SMS message with their GPS location to a carer network or the emergency services. This also allows managers to track the working status of staff and ensure compliance with duty of care.

Alarms

Whether they are security guards working at night, health nurses visiting patients in their homes or office-based employees who may be at risk of a medical episode, equipping lone workers with alarm devices is a great way to ensure they’re protected. These personal safety devices provide an easy way for them to signal for help while connecting them to a 24/7 live monitoring centre to assess their situation and dispatch assistance if necessary.

These lone worker alarms can take the form of either a small device to wear or an app that’s downloaded to a smartphone. Some come with a built-in SOS button that can send an alert directly to the lone worker’s call centre or a list of contacts, while others feature GPS tracking. They can also notify a contact if the lone worker doesn’t check in for an extended period of time, and will send out overdue alerts after a specified overtime has lapsed.

As with any device, it’s important to consider the features of each alarm carefully. Some offer only an SOS button, while others have a full range of alert options (fall alerts, two-way communication, GPS tracking and more). Some also come with battery life warnings or ping frequency settings that can help reduce power consumption if the device is left on for too long.

Panic Buttons

A personal alarm system that incorporates a panic button provides lone workers with an easy way to signal for help in an emergency situation. This device will usually require employees to press a button or swipe the app on their mobile phone, and this will trigger an immediate alert to a monitoring company and their emergency contacts.

This feature is particularly useful for retail businesses such as clothing stores and electronics shops, warehouses that often operate late hours or overnight, hotels with staff working at night, and any other business that requires staff to work alone. These businesses are more likely to be targeted by robbers and thieves, as well as a range of other potential threats like assaults or fires.





Many lone worker alarm devices and apps, such as the Little Green Button from SureSafe, are designed to be used on the go. This means that employees can use a desktop or mobile app to access robust safety options such as man down/fall detection panic alerts and customizable risk assessments.

Other lone worker alarm systems, such as SHEQSY by SafetyCulture, provide more preventative safety features than just a panic button. These include real-time location monitoring, hazard reporting, safety checklists and audits, and much more. SHEQSY is fully customizable to your organization’s needs and lone worker safety policies, and it’s ideal for remote professionals such as realtors showing open houses, utility workers in dangerous or remote areas, or health nurses visiting patients at home.

lone worker man down alarm GPS Tracking

While it might seem strange that an office worker would need a lone working alarm, as more and more offices offer flexible working options this is becoming more common. Office workers, whether they are based in the city or countryside face many of the same issues as lone workers in other environments and a lone working device can help to give them peace of mind.

As well as a panic button, most devices will include other functionality that can also be used to protect staff. These can include man-down alerts, which detect if someone has not moved for a period of time, and discreet panic functions that allow staff to raise the alarm without having to open their app. Many lone worker apps will also feature GPS tracking, which can be useful for monitoring the location of staff.

These types of lone working devices are designed to be easy and quick to use, which is important for people who may find themselves in an emergency situation. Some, such as the Blackline Safety Loner G7 range of lone worker devices, offer additional options such as fall detection and evacuation management that provide even greater protection for off site staff.

Regardless of the type of lone working device you choose for your business, it is important to ensure that you have a thorough lone work policy in place and that all staff are fully trained on this. This will ensure that you are meeting your legal obligations as an employer to protect the health and safety of your lone workers.

Monitoring

The lone worker alarms from SureSafe can be set up to be self-monitored with no monthly fees or licence costs or can be connected to our 24/7 Blackline Safety centre live monitoring the devices, it is completely up to you how you manage the device. Either way, alerts from a triggered panic button are instantly sent to the ARC via SMS and email and are followed by a phone call from an operator who can talk to them and follow your company’s escalation procedures.

Some lone workers are at higher risk than others for example, healthcare professionals may have to work in close proximity with patients who could pose a risk or who suffer from dementia or similar conditions. Alternatively, some jobs involve working with and exposure to chemicals that could cause sudden loss of consciousness or injury. For these reasons, it is important that lone workers have a personal alarm to help them summon assistance in the event of an emergency.

Personal alarms can be worn on a neck lanyard around the worker’s neck or as a wristwatch, making them easy to access in an emergency. Some models include a GPS tracker to allow employers to locate their employees should they become concerned about them and can also have features such as fall detection to prevent injuries from unexpected falls at work.