Global Market Analysis of Lone Worker Panic Buttons

Lone workers face unique dangers because they’re secluded from others. Panic buttons can help protect them.

Devices like SHEQSY allow lone workers to avoid dangerous situations by combining preventative features with alarm functionality. Whether they’re realtors showing homes or health nurses visiting patients, these devices can get them home safely.

Types

A lone worker alarm, or duress button, is an important piece of technology for employees who perform work in isolation from colleagues. These devices allow staff to alert others that they are in danger and can also provide their location to emergency services. They are also useful for people who may need help after an accident such as a fall or a chemical spill.

There are several different types of lone worker alarms available, and each has its own unique applications. Some are designed to be worn, such as a lanyard or wristwatch, and offer features like fall detection, which is particularly useful for workers who use hazardous chemicals. Others are more mobile, and can be used in areas with poor cell signal or WiFi. button that sends text message These types of lone worker alarms are often employed in healthcare, hospitality and retail industries.





Most lone worker alarms require a smartphone to function, and they can be connected to either the employee’s personal device or to their employer’s lone worker safety management system. This ensures that the alarm can be triggered regardless of whether or not the user has access to their phone, which is essential in dangerous situations. These lone worker alarm systems can also include GPS functionality, which is useful for locating the employee’s exact location. This feature is especially helpful in remote areas with limited cell service or WIFI.

Components

A personal panic button allows employees working alone to summon help in case of an incident. These can include situations where they feel threatened, witness inappropriate behavior or suffer a medical emergency. The devices can be as simple as pendant buttons (which can be worn or kept in a pocket) or as sophisticated as lone worker safety smartphone apps with features like real-time location tracking and two-way communication.

While lone worker apps offer advanced safety functionality, the most important factor when selecting an app is that it can be used easily and without any technical knowledge or training. The Ok Alone lone worker app, for example, is easy to use and can be triggered simply by pressing the red button on the home screen labelled ‘help’. The device also supports the ability to trigger a 'SOS' alert using the built-in alarm of mobile phones from CrossCall and Samsung’s Xcover.





Other safety features are available including man-down and fall detection alarms, automated check ins, overtime alerts and a variety of monitoring options such as ATEX rated devices for lone workers working in potentially explosive environments. All lone workers should be issued with a device that can be quickly and easily triggered and monitored to help meet the business’ legal duty of care. To discover the best lone worker device for your business, carry out a risk assessment and develop a safety policy informed by your findings.

Deployment

A lone worker panic button is an essential component of a safety plan for employees who are working alone or away from others. Companies that employ lone workers have a moral obligation and often a legal duty of care to protect their employees.

A mobile device or safety app with a panic button will send an alert to management or security personnel as soon as the button is pressed. These alerts are usually silent to avoid alarming the assailant, and they may be delivered via Bluetooth or a self-healing wi-fi network with a backup to ensure no dead spots.

Some lone worker devices, such as the CrossCall Xcover or Samsung’s Galaxy Xcover phone, offer a panic button that is easy to access. These lone worker systems also have man-down or fall detection, GPS tracking and a check in timer to keep track of the employee’s location.

Whether it’s realtors showing open homes, utility workers in dangerous or remote areas or health nurses visiting patients at home, a mobile safety app or lone worker panic button can help save lives. Some lone worker apps, such as SHEQSY by SafetyCulture, go beyond panic buttons and include preventative features like real-time location monitoring, safety checklists and audits and location notes. Others, like the Intrinsically Safe DSEAR compliant device by StaySafe, can be used in ATEX rated zones and feature 2-way satellite messaging when out of range of reliable cellular coverage.

Growth Opportunity

Panic buttons are a key component of lone worker security solutions. They can be in the form of a dedicated device, a standalone smartphone app or a smartwatch, and can be used to send an emergency alert to a monitoring centre or designated personnel when triggered. This can be crucial in a crisis as it allows workers to call for help without alerting their attacker or escalating the situation.

These types of devices are particularly useful for people who work alone, such as hotel housekeepers and healthcare staff who may face a greater risk of assault or intimidation from guests or patients. They can also be helpful for other lone workers who work in potentially hostile environments, such as security services, social care, construction and field services.

The demand for lone worker panic button and lone working solutions is growing as more organisations recognise the need to protect their employees. Providing these systems not only provides protection against threats, but it also helps to meet the legal obligations of employers to ensure their employees are safe while they are at work.

While a lot of companies are aware of the need to implement safety devices and offer lone working panic buttons for their employees, not all are aware of what features to look out for in a solution. It is important to select a device that is easy to use and can be activated quickly in an emergency. It is also essential to choose a solution that offers a range of features such as automatic check-in procedures and man-down/fall detection to provide maximum protection for workers.