Lone Worker Alarms
Lone worker alarms connect workers at risk with a 24/7 monitoring centre. Features like discreet panic buttons, two-way audio and GPS tracking are available to help keep people safe.
For homecare nurses and other care staff who are at a higher risk of threats from occupants of the homes they visit, an alarm button could be the difference between life or death. Features like fall detection can also provide additional peace of mind.
1. Detection
Lone worker alarms provide a valuable layer of security for those who work alone in high risk situations, such as home healthcare nurses or police officers. When an alert is triggered, the device automatically contacts an emergency response centre and sends their GPS location at the press of a button.
They can then dispatch assistance to the user’s exact location as per their escalation procedure. In addition, some lone worker devices offer a check in feature that allows personnel to leave a voice note with their latest location, which helps ARCs identify the risk and react as quickly as possible.
Most countries have laws that require businesses to take all reasonable steps to protect their employees’ health and wellbeing. Lone worker alarms are an affordable and effective way to meet this duty of care. However, it is important that the device you choose has a range of features as every employee’s safety needs will vary. For example, some lone workers may need to detect a fall and others might need an incapacitated (Man Down) alarm.
2. Panic Button
Lone worker alarms, also known as duress buttons, emergency alert systems, SOS alarms or personal alarms, are a great way to protect employees who work alone. This type of safety device is used across a variety of industries and job roles, from cashiers in shopping malls to therapists at healthcare centers.
These devices allow employees to quickly and easily call for help by pressing a button on the unit. This will immediately contact a monitor or a cloud-based system and can also send location information, so someone can come to the employee's aid quickly.
Some lone worker alarms have other features, like man down or fall detection, to provide additional safety options. This will trigger an alert when there is no movement on the device for a set period of time, providing another layer of security for those who need to move around a lot and may be susceptible to trips and falls.
Many lone worker alarms can be worn on a company ID lanyard, making them discreet and easy to use. They operate over a cellular network so staff are protected anywhere they have a signal, whether at home, in the office or ‘out and about’.
3. Two-Way Audio
Lone workers spend a large amount of their time alone, away from the safety of a team. Whether they’re at work sites, outside in the elements or visiting premises that are unattended by colleagues, they can be vulnerable to attack.
A lone worker alarm can detect certain types of threats, provide a panic button and allow staff to communicate with those in danger via two-way audio. It can also provide GPS tracking and work anywhere functionality. These devices can be clipped to a safety harness, ID badge or a mobile phone and won’t drain the battery like standard walkie talkies.
Many lone worker alarms offer 24/7 monitoring for maximum peace of mind. This means that when a user signals they’re in trouble, a monitoring professional can alert the authorities and coordinate response teams to respond quickly. Managers can also track a user’s alert history, listen in on alert calls and set up custom actions for their staff. This makes them a great option for businesses looking to meet their Duty of Care.
4. GPS Tracking
Lone worker alarms with GPS tracking allow you to monitor your team’s locations at all times. A lone worker’s location is updated every time they check in and whenever they trigger an emergency alert, unless they specify they don’t want to be tracked. gps locator tracker This allows you to locate and communicate with them instantly, as well as sending assistance to their location in line with your escalation procedures.
Our range of lone worker alarms include both standalone devices with built in GPS functionality as well as smartphone apps which use mobile data connections to monitor your staff’s locations and activities. These are ideal for lone workers who operate in remote areas or work away from fixed locations such as shops and offices.
PageOne’s Responder Pager is a wearable device with built in GPS functionality and a range of other features such as two way communication, fall detection, speed alerts and more. It’s designed to be worn on a lanyard or as an ID badge and is ideal for lone working situations as it offers a discreet option for employees to get help and support. It can also be configured to send overtime and man-down alerts to a 24/7 professional security monitoring centre for verification and response, based on your organisation’s safety policy.
5. Monitoring
Most lone worker alarms will include some type of GPS tracking, to alert first responders to the device’s location. They may also be able to send a duress signal or automatically activate the device’s panic button in a crisis, depending on your company’s escalation procedures.
Lone workers who work in remote locations often face higher risks than those in a crowded office. These roles include farmers, engineers, conservationists and environmental workers who often work outdoors in natural settings. Other lone workers who have a high risk of accidental injury include those that drive for a living, security staff and people working late night shifts.
Lone worker alarms can instantly alert first responders to the device’s status via SMS messages with GPS tracking data. They can also be programmed to immediately start dialing the lone worker’s emergency contacts and/or the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) when an SOS alarm is triggered or when the device detects a lack of movement, such as if the user falls. All this is managed from the online ConnectMe management portal, which allows you to view live alerts 24/7.
