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Lone worker safety devices come with features that help protect employees from harm. These may include a discreet panic button and GPS capability. Other devices have a check-in feature that allows users to send a text or recorded voice note with important details like location and work/weather conditions.
This technology can reduce hazards for hotel workers, lone social work staff and others who are at risk of inappropriate or threatening behavior from guests or customers.
Integrating Lone Worker Panic Buttons with Other Safety Measures
Lone workers are exposed to a wide range of risks that can put them in harm’s way. Physical assault, harassment, robbery, fire, and accidents are just a few of the threats that can befall people who work alone on a daily basis. In these situations, employees who lack the ability to quickly call for help can become severely injured or killed.
In addition to implementing a dedicated lone worker safety program, it’s important that employers consider integrating a lone worker panic button into their system. Discreet and silent, a personal panic button allows employees to alert their supervisor or emergency contact without drawing attention or aggravating the situation. These devices also include GPS tracking capabilities, allowing responders to pinpoint an employee’s location in real-time.
Many lone workers are mobile, such as traveling salesmen, truck drivers, health professionals and repair technicians. In these situations, a portable device is the best option for ensuring their safety. A panic button on a wearable badge or smartphone allows these employees to instantly notify emergency contacts and first responders of an impending threat.
An alarm signal triggered by a lone worker panic button sends a distress message through a communication channel on a lone worker safety device, a cellular network or a dedicated online platform. Trained personnel stationed at a monitoring centre can receive these signals and respond to them accordingly. The system can also include a fall detection sensor to automatically alert emergency services in the event of an accident.
Integrated with other features, such as a timed check-in system, the lone worker panic button can provide an extra layer of protection. This hands-free device can trigger an alarm when a timer expires or a manual panic button is pressed, even when the user’s phone is locked. The emergency response centre then dispatches law enforcement to the lone worker’s exact location using GPS technology.
When combined with a safety programme that includes regular checks-ins and training, these devices are an effective tool for increasing employees’ confidence in their ability to safely navigate workplace risks and emergencies. This will give them the courage to speak up when they feel unsafe, preventing dangerous incidents from escalating.
Increasing Employee Confidence
Lone worker panic buttons can give employees the confidence to do their jobs, even in professions that don’t seem particularly dangerous. They know that they can always quietly and discreetly use the alarm to summon help, whether from a customer who is harassing them in a betting store or an unauthorized intruder while working in their warehouse. This can make them feel safer and more secure while on the job, which can ultimately lead to improved productivity and increased morale.
Having a panic button can also be beneficial for staff in work environments that involve frequent interaction with the public, such as hotel and hospitality, healthcare, retail and utility workers. They may be at risk of assault or other threats from members of the public, as well as being hurt or killed while performing their job duties, like a maintenance man who falls off a ladder in an isolated location while performing a roof repair. In these situations, a panic button can be used to alert the monitor that they require assistance and can provide law enforcement with their exact location in real time.
For remote and mobile workers who don’t have access to a physical button, a software-based solution such as Little Green Button can offer the same peace of mind. It uses motion sensors and the lone worker device’s GPS capabilities to detect movement, sending an emergency alert if they don’t respond within a pre-set timeframe. The software also includes a shake-for-emergency feature that allows workers to request help by vigorously shaking their device, providing the same location and other details as would be sent in an emergency alert.
Mercari Lone Worker However, in order for any safety solution to be effective, it must be ingrained into the culture of your company. Employees must feel comfortable wearing a lone worker panic button and regularly checking in with the software, or it won’t be used at all. That’s why it is important to include extended training as part of any lone worker safety program. It can help familiarize employees with the technology, teach them how to use it and set clear procedures that must be followed for the system to function as intended.
Deterring Harassment and Assault
When lone workers know that a call for help can be made without alerting their assailant, they may feel safer and more confident. Many personal alarm devices and lone worker apps have features that allow staff to discreetly signal for help, so as not to make an attacker’s situation worse. This is an important element because loud alarms can agitate aggressive customers or criminals, potentially making them more likely to attack.
As a way to deter workplace violence, some cities and states have passed staff safety laws that require employers to provide lone workers with panic buttons or other personal emergency response systems. These systems often include a pendant button and/or GPS tracking or paging technology, and may also include man-down or fall detection capabilities. However, these devices can be expensive to purchase or rent, and ongoing costs like maintenance fees can add up as well.
The best way to ensure that lone workers are protected against violent incidents is to incorporate a comprehensive lone worker safety solution, which combines the use of technology with a detailed plan. Unlike a simple device or app that can only be used in an emergency, a full lone worker safety solution can be integrated into employees’ routines by requiring them to wear a personal alarm and regularly check in with a software platform.
In addition to a panic button, this type of lone worker safety solution should include features that address the unique risks associated with each industry and task. For example, healthcare and social service workers face an increased risk of violence, while hotel staff can be at risk for assault or inappropriate behavior from guests. This includes housekeepers who are working alone in guest rooms and may be at risk of being injured or sexually harassed.
If employees are not accustomed to making wearing a panic button or other lone worker safety solutions an everyday part of their routine, they may fail to comply with them in the event of a dangerous incident. In order to prevent this from happening, companies should provide extensive training and education on the proper use of their lone worker safety solutions.
Increasing Employee Morale
Having access to a panic button can help reduce the fear of danger or violence, and increase employee morale by demonstrating that workplace safety is a priority. It can also give employees confidence that their employer cares about their safety, which could deter hostile behavior. This is especially important in industries like healthcare or social services where an aggressor might target a vulnerable worker.
Lone workers can face a unique set of challenges that can make it difficult to seek out immediate assistance. Panic buttons allow them to send an alert, discreetly and quickly, letting employers know that they need assistance. They can even be used to request help when they have fallen or are incapacitated.
Employers need to consider all of the possible threats that their lone workers may face and decide which hazard prevention measures are appropriate for their workplace. They should also discuss the use of lone worker panic buttons with their legal counsel before implementing them.
Many employers are wondering whether or not they are required to provide their lone workers with a panic button. While OSHA guidelines and opinions frequently suggest that they should, the answer isn’t always clear cut. However, there are a number of ways that employers can incorporate lone worker panic buttons into their workplace safety programs.
Adding a dedicated panic button to a mobile device can help ensure that it is easily accessible, even in an emergency situation when the user may not be able to unlock and operate their phone. Adding a discreet panic button can help ensure that the alert is sent regardless of how the device is being used. Our lone worker app, for example, can detect that the user has pressed their panic button or that their timed monitoring session has expired and alerts our 24/7 monitoring center instantly.
Our lone worker app works in conjunction with a patented hand-free device that can be paired with a mobile phone to send an alert without the need to unlock and press a button, or the need for the device to have a good signal. It also has a man down alarm, detecting the impact of a fall or lack of movement over time, and a shake-for-emergency feature, which can be activated by vigorously shaking the device.
