The Definition and Function of Lone Worker Panic Buttons
Lone worker panic buttons are a great way to protect employees in professions like hotel and healthcare who are at risk of being targeted by aggressive or inappropriate behavior. They also help employers meet their duty of care.
When a device is activated, it sends a message with the employee’s location to the monitoring service and/or police.
Definition
Lone worker panic buttons are small devices that lone workers can use to call for help in an emergency situation. Also known as duress alarms, emergency signals, or SOS alarms, these devices can be worn on a person’s body or attached to a lone worker safety device or mobile app. When a lone worker pushes the button, it triggers an alarm that sends GPS coordinates to a monitoring center. The monitor will then dispatch law enforcement or another trusted responder to the lone worker’s location.
These devices can also be used to signal an accident or medical incident. Unlike other types of alert systems, they can be silent so that employees can signal danger without risking their personal safety. In addition, they are more reliable than other solutions that make loud, sudden noises, which could aggravate an attacker or increase the chances of a false alarm.
Whether or not an employer is required to provide lone worker panic buttons depends on local laws and regulations, the type of work performed, and the number of lone workers in an office or workplace. However, the Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to keep their staff safe from violence or harm while working alone. If an employer fails to maintain contact with lone workers or have effective emergency procedures in place, they may be subject to citations and fines.
Function
Lone worker panic buttons (also known as duress alarms or emergency signallers) allow a lone worker to call for help in an event of an attack or accident. They may be used by bank workers, shop staff or hotel and healthcare employees working alone. They can be triggered to alert their manager, a monitoring station or the police. Having this technology in place can significantly reduce an attacker’s ability to harm your team as it provides multiple ways for a worker to alert someone.
When a lone worker device is activated, it will send an SMS, email and/or phone call notification to designated monitors. These can be the employee’s manager, a group of managers or a central monitoring station depending on your business needs. It will also include GPS location to help the monitoring centre dispatch assistance directly to the worker if needed.
It is important for businesses to have a lone worker safety policy in place, whether legislation requires it or not. This will ensure that a worker is able to report an incident and get the help they need quickly in a safe manner. The policies will also enable employers to demonstrate that they are meeting their duty of care by providing a mechanism for employees to raise an alarm when necessary.
Benefits
Lone worker panic buttons remove one of the biggest risks to solo workers by giving them a quick and easy way to alert others that they need help. They are a critical component of any personal safety solution for people who may be at risk from assault, harassment or harm such as housekeepers working alone in hotel guest rooms, security guards and other hospitality employees or health nurses visiting patients in their homes.
These devices are generally wearable or worn around the neck and can be triggered at any time by pressing a discreet button. They can also include an audible check-in option to leave a message with details of their location and situation, allowing their emergency contact center (ARC) to respond accordingly. In addition, some lone worker alarm systems feature fall detection and incapacitation alarms that can be deployed automatically when the device senses that the user is unable to activate the alarm themselves.
Fixed panic buttons can be found in locations that are at a high risk of robbery or violence, such as jewellery stores, banks and betting shops and behind reception desks in hotels. They can be triggered to call for help in an emergency or if the employee feels that they are being threatened by a customer. These devices can also be linked to a monitoring station or the emergency services and are particularly useful for staff who work in volatile environments or situations.
Cost
Whether it’s a wearable panic button, a safety app or a handheld device, the cost of lone worker devices can vary depending on the type of technology and functionality you choose. For example, a GPS-enabled system may be more expensive than an app-based device.
Another important consideration is how often you need to use the device. If you need to deploy a lone worker device for regular usage, consider the costs of replacing the battery and the monthly subscription fee. In contrast, a device that can be used for emergency situations only will be less expensive to maintain and operate.
The best lone work alarm solutions offer features that are built for efficiency and safety in mind. For example, some lone worker devices include man-down or fall detection. If the device senses that a user has fallen or is unresponsive, it can trigger an emergency alert to the lone worker’s OWL portal or the ARC.
wearable personal safety device Additionally, some lone worker devices feature “life check mode,” which enables users to check in with the OWL portal or ARC on a regular basis. This can help managers monitor employees’ well-being and ensure that they are safe at work. It can also assist in reducing workers’ comp claims, liability insurance premiums, and turnover expenses.
