Lone worker safety is a complex process that exists at the intersection of workplace safety, telecoms, positioning, emergency response, change management, and more.
Which equipment should we choose, a specific device or mobile app?
How can employees in danger be located inside a building?
What’s the most effective approach to manage alerts?
How do we encourage appropriate uptake and use by lone workers?
These key questions reflect the three inseparable elements of an approach that supports optimal success. It’s a “magic formula” developed from our deep experience in the field.
One-third technology
Lone worker safety-specific devices typically begin from the technology end, with the telecom equipment: rugged, IP 67, MIL-STD-810G. Ruggedness is subjective: IP 67 standard denotes waterproof characteristics, while MIL-STD-810G is an American military standard that is self-certified by manufacturers.
The lesson here is that a proven smartphone product with a protective shell is just as suitable for lone worker safety as a purpose-built device.
The technology aspect is therefore not about equipment or basic functions, such as SOS, positioning using the internal GPS, or man-down. All this is a common standard in the Lone Worker Safety market.
Reliability, ease-of-use, and advanced functionality—notably the ability to be located in all circumstances and to trigger an alert outside of network coverage (necessary for success in most actual situations)—are the capabilities that set a solution apart for quality and suitability.
One-third emergency response
Assuring effective emergency response for workers is an employer’s responsibility. Most companies realize outsourcing this critical function to a professional monitoring center supports optimal performance and outcomes.
Managing alarms is a complex task that requires training and drills to master emergency response, communication, and resource coordination. It’s impossible for a company with a different business mission to achieve the same level of competence with limited practice.
However, as we have moved from “all in-house” to professional management of emergency response, the role played by the company in managing an alert has not disappeared.
With contact persons defined in protocols, access to key information and crisis management, the organizational aspect is still present for an effective and efficient Lone Worker Solution.
One-third employee adoption
Whether a lone worker safety program is designed to support a single worker or hundreds, program adoption is key to success. The best intentions and tools are useless if employees aren’t participating appropriately.
The proposed approach is just as important as the technology and the emergency response.
Our experience also demonstrates that implementation is only the beginning.
Getting the “magic formula” of technology + emergency response + employee adoption is the most efficient path to a program that successfully protects workers.
See it in action
Watch how an innovative mobile application, a 24/7 agent-led emergency response and a comprehensive platform work together in a live demo.