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A lone worker monitoring device helps organisations meet their duty of care by protecting employees from risks while streamlining management. These devices can include smartphones (with an app), Bluetooth buttons, and satellite devices that don't rely on cellular connectivity. They offer key features such as covert duress triggering, GPS location monitoring and periodic well-being check-ins. We’ll also discuss the new SoloProtect Chaperone feature which provides a discreet, comforting accompaniment for non-alarm type situations. Lone worker monitoring devices track the location of employees who work alone, which is a key feature in meeting an employer’s duty of care. Accurate location tracking is vital for ensuring workers are accounted for, and can help to speed up the response time in emergencies. The GPS technology used in Ok Alone devices is able to determine an employee’s exact position at all times, even when the app is not active. This means that workers can have the app minimised on their smartphone and still be protected. This real time location tracking is important to prevent a worker from unintentionally disabling their device, which can then stop the monitoring system from working. If the device detects a worker has gone motionless for a set period of time (often referred to as ‘Man Down’), it will raise an alert and notify emergency services. This is an essential feature which could prove life saving if a worker loses consciousness or has a medical emergency.
A panic button is a valuable tool for lone workers that could be confronted by an aggressive customer, disgruntled coworker or someone with mental illness. In addition to helping protect them from robbery, having a wireless panic button on their lone worker device can help ensure that they are always able to get help when needed. https://loneworkerdevices.co.uk/gps-location-finding/ Even service businesses that don’t have a lot of customers may still need a lone worker device with a panic button. For example, housekeepers working alone in hotel rooms are at a high risk for attack and harassment from guests. When a lone worker device with a panic button is activated, the device or app sends an alert to a monitoring hub. A designated person will be immediately notified, and they will receive the lone worker’s real-time location along with other relevant information. They can then dispatch help to the lone worker’s location. Mobile apps with a lone worker panic button are easy for employees to use and don’t require the purchase or charging of an additional device. They are typically downloaded directly onto the employee’s phone and can be worn on a lanyard or clipped to clothing. In addition to the lone worker panic button, these apps provide other functionality that can be beneficial in duress situations such as the ability to discreetly extend activity timers or check in for safety. Lone workers often work in environments that pose risks of gas hazards. As a result, some lone worker monitoring devices come equipped with gas detection. These sensors monitor the air and send an alert if they detect hazardous gases, such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) or explosive gases, like acetylene (AcH). The device can then send an emergency signal to safety personnel, who can dispatch rescue services. Integrated Solution - While some devices that connect lone workers to safety offer one or two features, the best personal safety solutions combine gas detection with GPS tracking and panic buttons in an integrated package. This reduces the likelihood that a worker will forget to wear their device or leave it at home. https://loneworkerdevices.co.uk/fall-detection/ Integrated solutions also eliminate the need for separate lone worker monitoring apps on smartphones. Automatic Check Ins - While most lone worker monitoring devices require a user to manually ping them every so often to confirm they are safe, the best personal safety devices will automatically update their status with cloud monitoring systems. This reduces the burden of manual check ins and can help to improve efficiency in high risk work environments. A good lone worker monitoring system should give managers the tools they need to assess their employees' safety and well-being. For instance, Blackline's ATEX-certified G7c device includes a full suite of incident detection and emergency response services. https://loneworkerdevices.co.uk/ From falls and no-motion alerts to missed check-in identification, the device ensures that no issue goes unnoticed. When workers are working alone, they may be separated from coworkers or colleagues that could help them in an emergency. A lone worker monitoring device can offer a range of communication and detection options that ensure monitors are informed about staff movements. These solutions can range from simple lone worker apps that have one-touch emergency options to more advanced devices with automated check-ins, customizable escalation plans, and access to real-time emergency response centers. Smartphones are the most popular lone worker safety device, as they already have many of the features required for a lone worker monitoring solution, such as GPS location tracking and communication with monitoring personnel. These lone worker monitoring apps typically use existing smartphone software and are often more cost-effective than dedicated lone worker devices. Phone-based systems require workers to call in after a set amount of time, such as hourly or bi-hourly. When they fail to respond, managers are alerted so they can contact them and confirm their safety. These systems can be either call center-driven or cloud-based automated monitoring using a software-as-a-service model. Lone worker monitoring devices can also be equipped with a manual patented emergency SOS latch that immediately generates an alarm, even when workers are unable to use their smartphones. This feature dramatically decreases the amount of time that must pass before a manager is alerted, giving them ample time to dispatch help and reduce the risk of further harm or injury. |
