Each of these serve their own purpose and help organisations to overcome specific lone worker challenges. There are a range of lone worker alarms available in the marketplace with the 3 most common being dedicated devices, apps and fixed panic buttons. What type of lone worker alarms are available? Lone worker apps offer a host of functionality aside from a panic button including low signal mode for those working in areas where making a data signal can be difficult. A panic alarm can be triggered at any time by tapping a large button on the app. This ensures they are linked up to the monitoring hub. A lone worker downloads the app from the relevant app store and uses log in details provided to them. This provides a low cost, easily accessible way for lone workers to signal for help without having to rely on remembering and charging an additional device. Lone worker apps such as StaySafe offer a panic button downloaded straight to a lone worker’s phone. If monitoring via a monitoring station, they will verify the alert and escalate to the right channels whether that be back to the organisation, to their own team of responders or the emergency services. Any verified alerts can be escalated to the police along with any additional information provided by the lone worker system, such as location and notes on who they are meeting with. If monitoring in house, the organisation will assign a monitor or group of monitors who will receive notifications of an alert and will know how to respond according to the organisation’s policy. Monitoring can be carried out in house by the employer or by a monitoring and response center. Important information such as the lone worker’s phone number and location, will be sent to the monitor so that the alarm can be verified, and assistance sent directly to them. When a panic alarm is triggered, a monitor will be notified immediately via SMS, email or via an online hub. How does a panic alarm work?Ī panic alarm usually works by pressing a button on a lone worker device or app. The failure to have effective systems in place could lead to serious consequences and the employer could face legal proceedings, fines and a reputation hit amongst other costs. Countries such as New Zealand and Canada have legislation specific to lone working while regulatory bodies provide official advice for managing the safety of lone workers in countries such as the UK. In many parts of the world maintaining regular contact with lone workers and having emergency procedures in place is a legal requirement. Therefore, it is important to have a check-in system in place as well as a reliable way for the lone worker to signal for help, in order to meet a legal and moral duty of care. Legal duty of careįrom a business point of view, the employer holds a duty of care to ensure employees are safe while they work. Lone worker devices and panic alarms ensure that if an accident or incident does occur, not only can the lone worker signal for help, they can also be located immediately, thus reducing response time. Cardiac arrest survival rates decrease 7-10% every minute in response time (American Heart Association). Statistics show that in the case of severe bleeding, the survival rate decreases by 10% for every 15-minute delay (The Lancet, 2017). In such a situation, the time taken to receive assistance could be the difference between a minor incident and a serious one. They may be out of sight and sound, working behind closed doors or in a remote location. If a lone worker suffers an injury and is immobilised or is faced with an attacker, they may not be able to receive help from someone nearby. Why would a lone worker need a panic alarm? A lone worker device can take the form of a physical device to be worn on the lone worker’s person, or an app downloaded onto the lone worker’s phone.Ī lone worker device should offer a range of functionality including GPS tracking and a panic alarm – to allow the lone worker to quickly signal for help, while allowing the business to send support directly to their location. What is a lone worker device?Ī lone worker device is a system that allows lone workers to signal for help in an emergency situation. There are several types of lone worker panic alarms, each of which have slightly different purposes. Panic alarms offer a way for organisations to ensure that someone is alerted in an emergency so to prevent escalation and further harm. Equipping lone workers with panic alarms is extremely important, because unlike traditional employees, lone workers are unable to receive assistance from nearby colleagues in a difficult or emergency situation – such as an injury or attack.Įvery employer holds a legal duty of care to their lone working staff and should have policies and systems in place to ensure they are safe, whether they work alone for all or only part of their working day.
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