Technology Used in Lone Worker Panic Buttons and Apps

Lone worker safety devices allow employees to send a duress alarm when they are in danger or need assistance. They can be as simple as a pendant button or as sophisticated as a lone worker safety app.

When choosing a lone worker panic button, look for one that is easy to use and integrates seamlessly into the workplace. This will ensure your employees actually use it in an emergency.

Mobile Phones

A lone worker panic button app downloaded onto an employee’s mobile phone is an efficient and cost-effective way to equip them with the tools they need to stay safe. When used in conjunction with a lone worker safety policy, these apps can also help organizations meet their legal duty of care.

Many lone worker alarm devices feature GPS locating systems, which automatically send their exact location to a security monitoring center. This can be particularly helpful in situations where the lone worker has suffered an accident or is being threatened. The location services are continuously updated to create a breadcrumb trail that can guide emergency response teams to the employee.

Some lone worker apps are simple to use and offer a one-button panic alert that immediately connects them to the company care center or emergency services. They are designed to be triggered discreetly without drawing attention. This is especially important for hotel housekeepers, who are at a greater risk of assault and harassment from hotel guests than other employees.

Other lone worker apps provide additional features like man-down/fall detection. This feature detects a period of no movement and triggers a duress alert for management. Some systems also allow a lone worker to manually send a 'help’ message to their contact list. These features can be useful for lone workers who operate in hazardous environments and need the added reassurance that they will be heard even if their mobile phone is turned off or out of range.

Bluetooth

If a worker feels threatened, experiences a medical emergency or is at risk of being hurt, they can use the app’s home screen to call for help. This can be done by clicking on a large button with the words ‘help’ – it really couldn’t be simpler!

Lone worker devices with Bluetooth capability will also send important information to a monitoring service when the panic button is activated. This includes the device’s real time location so colleagues, security personnel or the emergency services can respond as quickly as possible.

Many of our lone worker products feature dual SIM technology which provides two independent connections to the mobile network, protecting against data failure. This enables the device to connect even when the phone is turned off, or if it switches between networks. Our bluetooth panic buttons also have twice the normal connectivity range and a replaceable battery, helping to ensure that they can be used as a lone worker safety device for longer.

We understand that lone working is a highly stressful job and can be made even more so when employees don’t have the confidence in their ability to access a live response from their employer when they need it most. We can take away the worry by helping you select the right lone worker panic alarm device, setting up your own tailored escalation procedures, and providing an online management portal to keep track of all your employee’s lone work safety alerts.

Wi-Fi

Lone worker panic buttons allow workers to quickly request help when they feel threatened, witness inappropriate behavior or are injured. These devices have a discreet design and can be activated in a range of ways, such as by pressing the button, via a mobile app or using voice activation. They also provide location information to responders so that assistance can be dispatched immediately.

The latest lone worker safety devices use Wi-Fi calling to communicate with a central server rather than cellular networks. This option makes the devices more reliable in areas or buildings with weak cellular connectivity and provides better voice quality. It is also helpful in harsh weather conditions and for remote locations with difficult terrain or buildings made of materials that block radio signals. Lone Worker Alarm Devices SoloProtect, for example, recently added this feature to its touchscreen lone worker panic buttons, which are powered by Nordic’s nRF9160 multi-mode LTE-M/NB-IoT System-on-Chip and nRF52811 Bluetooth LE System-on-Chip.

Many large organizations have centralized security control centers that monitor the wireless panic buttons and send alerts when they are activated. They can be used to notify on-site security personnel or external police, depending on the type of response required. Some companies without on-site security choose to notify non-security employees in a response team, such as the head of facilities or human resources, when a device’s emergency button is pressed.

GPS

Lone worker apps provide a low cost and easy to access method for lone workers to signal for help. They are downloaded straight to a lone worker’s mobile phone and can be triggered by pressing a large button on the app that is displayed on their screen. They also offer other functionality such as a low signal mode for users who may be working in areas where a data signal can be difficult to receive.

Using a GPS, the lone worker alarm devices allow the employee to declare an emergency by sending their exact location to a monitor or live call centre. This can be used in a number of situations from being confronted by an aggressor, to workplace accidents or dangerous work environments.

In addition, many of these lone worker alarm devices and apps feature an automated check in function that will prompt employees to automatically check in with their employers at regular intervals during their shift. Any lapse in this process can trigger overtime alerts that will automatically turn into panic alerts.

It’s also important for a lone worker device or app to be as user-friendly as possible. The easier it is to use, the more likely an employee will activate the duress alarm in a time of need. For example, the Ok Alone lone worker app has a very clear and accessible panic button on the home screen, clearly marked with the word ‘help’, making it very easy to use.