How to Choose the Right Lone Worker Device for Your Construction Business
Lone worker devices are safety tools that help protect employees who work alone. They can be as simple as a phone app or as sophisticated as a satellite device that provides communications, assistance, and monitoring in remote areas with no cellular coverage.
The best lone worker devices provide all the tools your workers need in one integrated solution. That includes GPS tracking, man down alerts, gas detection with live monitoring, and emergency signaling.
Safety Features
A lone worker device is a great tool to protect your employees. It provides them with the ability to reach out for help quickly in an emergency situation. This allows employees to be safe and secure while they are working in remote areas or on dangerous projects.
The best lone worker devices should have a panic button that will trigger an alarm and alert a monitoring center. This feature will save lives and ensure that workers get the help they need.
You should also look for a lone worker device that has a battery that will last throughout an entire shift. This will prevent any gaps in service, which could be disastrous in an emergency situation. It is also important that the device is lightweight and comfortable to wear. This will encourage employees to use it, which will make the system more effective.
Lastly, you should look for a lone worker device with a cellular connection or satellite capabilities. This will give you the flexibility to choose the best solution for your business. It is also helpful to have a device that is compatible with other smart devices, as this will allow you to save on costs. This way, your employees can easily and comfortably integrate the lone worker device into their work routine without creating new technology barriers.
Functionality
When choosing a lone worker device, you need to ensure it offers the right functionality for your needs. Depending on your business, you may need to use it as an alarm, or you might want it to allow for 2-way communication in the event of an emergency. In addition, you might need it to be able to track the location of your employees in real time. These devices can be especially useful for construction workers who are working alone or in remote areas.
Many lone worker devices are designed to work in isolation and do not require WIFI or cellular service. These devices usually include a wireless panic button, which will alert colleagues or security personnel to the staff member’s emergency situation when it is triggered. They can also be integrated with GPS technology, allowing you to monitor a staff member even in remote areas where satellite reception is not available.
A mobile worker is someone who spends most of their workday away from the office. The nature of the role will vary, but it might involve driving from site to site or being sent to remote locations such as offshore oil platforms or warehouses to carry out maintenance and repairs. As a result, employers have a duty of care to keep these workers safe and to put a system in place that will protect them if they need help. This will typically involve carrying out a risk assessment and creating a lone worker policy.
Flexibility
Lone workers are exposed to a greater degree of risk than those who work alongside other employees. safety devices for lone workers Having an effective system in place can help reduce those risks by ensuring that a worker is always connected and has the means to raise an alarm in the event of an emergency or danger.
Lone worker devices can come in the form of a physical handheld device or an app that turns a smartphone into a lone worker tool. The former provides a range of features that includes two-way communication, GPS location tracking and a panic button. These types of devices can also be equipped with a Duress PIN or Low Signal Mode to allow users to request help if the situation gets dire.
Some lone worker devices can be used in remote areas that don’t have cellular coverage or internet connectivity. These devices are designed to be fast, durable and easily triggered in an emergency. These are typically a combination of a rugged device with built-in GPS and a satellite communicator that is connected via Bluetooth to the user’s mobile phone.
Other lone worker devices include the use of sensors and artificial intelligence to monitor site conditions and detect hazards. These are typically a part of an analytics platform that is configured to only contact a supervisor or call center monitor when there is an exception, providing an efficient way to save time and potentially prevent an accident.
Cost
Lone worker safety devices are expensive, but it’s a cost your business should be willing to pay for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your workers can always reach help in an emergency. Investing in the right device means that you’ll avoid costly issues like lost productivity, low staff morale, and the loss of your business reputation.
The good news is that you can get great value for your money when you choose a comprehensive solution that combines multiple functions into one device. For example, you can get all the benefits of a two-way radio, including push-to-talk functionality and the ability to record audio, into an intrinsically safe device that can be used in harsh environments. This will save you thousands of dollars compared to purchasing separate devices for each type of environment.
Another crucial aspect to look for is the availability of live monitoring and the ability to communicate with the device using voice, text or email. A system with real-time immediate alerts is best, and the device should also be durable enough to survive drops and other tough situations.
Lone workers face a number of unique risks in their work, and even the most competent construction workers can find themselves at risk when working alone. While most lone workers are familiar with health and safety procedures, it’s important for companies to have structures in place that support their employees when they’re working alone.