Lone Worker Systems
Lone worker systems provide visibility into employees’ locations, two-way communication, and other features to help ensure their safety. They can also help law enforcement respond quickly in an emergency.
Lone worker apps are simple to use and provide remote workers with intuitive ways to raise a duress alarm, check-in periodically, and report hazards. Some also offer GPS tracking and battery saver features.
Time based check ins
Lone workers work alone and out of sight of coworkers, often in remote settings. In such environments, it’s critical to have a way for them to check in and receive help when needed. For this reason, a good lone worker system should be easy to use and include features that allow employees to send messages quickly and easily. It should also be able to switch seamlessly between cellular and satellite connectivity.
Lone worker safety solutions can offer a variety of tools to protect offsite employees, from simple apps that alert monitors when a employee hasn’t checked in to specialized GPS devices that let lone workers signal for help in hazardous situations. Many of these apps offer battery saver features to keep track of a worker’s location without using up too much of the device’s battery power. They may also include message escalation capabilities that escalate an emergency to supervisors, colleagues, and/or the police.
The traditional method of executing a lone worker safety check-in involves having an employee contact their manager at pre-determined intervals to confirm that they are safe. This can be inefficient and time-consuming, especially when calls are missed or the person forgets to call back. A more effective alternative is an innovative lone worker monitoring solution that allows employees to check in by tapping on a mobile app. This eliminates the need for human operators or supervisors to call in, and it makes it easier for employees to follow workplace safety programs.
GPS tracking
Lone worker tracking systems can help organizations monitor their employees and respond quickly to emergencies. These solutions include GPS tracking, duress alarm activation, and periodic well-being checks. They can also be used to track the location of workers in remote or hazardous areas. These features are especially important for lone workers working in patient’s homes, where they face additional risks.
Some employees may have concerns about their privacy, but most lone worker apps respect their privacy and provide full control over when their locations are visible to employers. For example, the StaySafe app has Privacy Mode, which lets employees decide when their locations should be tracked and how frequently they would like to be checked. Additionally, these systems allow employees to select the “Man down” alert option, which automatically notifies the monitoring centre if they haven’t moved for a specified period of time.
GPS tracking technology uses a network of satellites to transmit radio signals that can be detected by devices that have this functionality. It then calculates an accurate location based on the distance between the device and the satellites. The technology has improved significantly in recent years and is now much more accurate than previous generations. It’s also affordable and easy to install in a lone worker system.
Panic button
Lone workers often need to use personal alarms to alert colleagues if they feel their safety is under threat, whether due to aggressive customers or guests, workplace accidents or working in remote locations where access is difficult. These devices can range from a mobile phone with a panic button to a wearable device.
When choosing a lone worker system, it is important to consider your staff’s needs and their level of comfort with using technology in an emergency situation. Many lone worker devices require WIFI or cellular data to function, which can cause issues in remote areas with poor signal. Others may require a specific battery type, which is a significant disadvantage if your employees have to leave their work area to recharge or replace batteries.
A good lone worker solution should be easy to use and integrate all necessary functionality into one device. This reduces the risk that your employee will accidentally forget or leave behind a separate device that they need to carry with them. It should also be durable enough to survive a drop or other damage, and be easy to keep charged.
Most lone worker systems have an SOS button that can be activated in an emergency by pressing it or using the app’s voice command feature. However, if the worker is unconscious or seriously injured, they might not be able to unlock their phone and find the SOS button. In addition, a phone’s camera might not be sensitive enough to capture the event clearly. For this reason, a lone worker device should have a dedicated button that can be easily activated in an emergency.
Two way communication
Lone workers face a variety of risks when performing their duties. These include interacting with aggressive customers, handling valuable merchandise, and working overnight shifts. Lone workers also may encounter hazards on the job, such as exposure to dangerous chemicals or driving a vehicle. To ensure the safety of these individuals, businesses must identify potential risk factors and implement a robust lone worker program.
A lone worker system should incorporate two-way communication that allows employees to ask questions and receive answers from supervisors. This will ensure that any instructions, policies, or directions they receive are clear and understood. It will also encourage employees to provide suggestions to improve company processes and policies.
One way to ensure that lone workers are able to reach out to a supervisor is through a mobile device equipped with GPS and two-way communication. This can help prevent them from becoming disoriented or lost while working in a remote location, and it will allow supervisors to track their movements and monitor their safety.
Some lone worker systems feature a panic button and GPS tracking that will send an alert to the alarm receiving centre or emergency services when the employee activates it. The devices will also visibly display that they are being monitored, a tactic that can deter would-be aggressors from approaching the employee or escalating an incident.
