| − | Several types of lone worker panic buttons exist including devices, apps and fixed alarms. These are primarily used to provide help in threatening situations.<br /><br />While some lone worker safety legislation requires employers to provide staff with panic buttons, they’re not always the answer. Instead, a lone worker solution like AlertMedia’s is more proactive and offers real-time monitoring, GPS tracking and automated check-ins.<br /><br />1. Wearable Alarms<br /><br />Wearable lone worker panic buttons are designed to be worn around the neck or on the wrist, and can be triggered by either a single click or a press-and-hold button. When paired with a smartphone, these devices allow users to check in and raise an alarm even when their phone is not in their hand. This can be useful for lone workers who are on home visits or in other sensitive situations where taking out their phone may disrupt or aggravate the situation.<br /><br />Unlike monitored systems, these unmonitored devices connect to emergency services or predetermined contacts directly when the button is pressed. Typically, they will also play a recorded message and offer the option of two-way communication once the call is connected. These devices can be a cost-effective solution for organizations looking to provide their employees with an extra layer of safety.<br /><br />2. Bluetooth Alarms<br /><br />Lone worker alarms that run on smartphones are a popular choice for their practicality and ease of use. Lone worker apps can offer a wide range of functionality including man-down alerts that detect falls or no movement and discreet panic options that allow employees to signal an emergency without putting themselves at risk.<br /><br />As well as being easy to use smartphone panic buttons have the added benefit of offering a full emergency response from a 24/7 monitored call centre. This can be particularly important for lone workers who are unable to communicate verbally such as hotel housekeepers.<br /><br />These kinds of lone worker alarms are also great for situations where an employee might find themselves at a higher risk of assault or inappropriate behaviour such as from a guest. For example, hotel workers can be at risk from guests who are prone to drunken behaviour or from people who are known to harass hotel staff.<br /><br />Providing your employees with access to a smartphone panic button shows that their safety is a top priority. In fact, in many parts of the world it is a legal requirement for companies to have lone working policies in place and to provide their employees with systems such as lone worker alarms that help them remain safe while carrying out their work.<br /><br />3. Wifi Alarms<br /><br />Lone worker devices with panic buttons give staff who operate alone a quick, easy and discreet way to signal for help. These devices can take the form of a personal alarm pendant or a lone worker safety smartphone app. When activated, these systems send a duress alarm to a monitoring center or a designated colleague and usually include features like GPS tracking and two-way communication.<br /><br />Although there is no nationwide Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requirement that employers provide their lone workers with panic buttons, the agency’s guidelines and citations do recommend them as a way to reduce risks associated with certain job tasks. Furthermore, in many countries maintaining regular contact with lone workers and having emergency procedures in place is a legal obligation for businesses.<br /><br />For example, some cities have passed laws requiring hotel staff to be equipped with panic buttons in order to ensure the safety of their employees. Regardless of whether your business operates in hospitality, retail or any other industry that involves a remote workforce, deploying a lone worker panic button can make all the difference when it comes to keeping staff safe. Our SHEQSY system offers preventative monitoring in addition to a one-click panic alarm to keep your team protected in every environment. Get in touch to learn more about how this smart technology works and why it’s a popular choice for many businesses.<br /><br />4. In-App Alarms<br /><br />Having the ability to call for help discreetly in high-stress situations is essential. Lone workers in healthcare and social care, childcare providers, hotel staff, and many other professions need to be able to contact their employer when they’re feeling at risk of harm. This is why it’s so important that they can rely on a solution like a lone worker app or wearable panic button to call for help when things go wrong.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />An app based lone worker alarm downloads straight onto an employee’s mobile phone, giving them the option to use a large button on their screen when they need to signal for help. This feature makes the process of triggering an alert much simpler and less intimidating for employees who may be in an already stressful situation.<br /><br />Using an app based lone worker alarm also allows businesses to take advantage of other features that can make a difference in an emergency. These could include a duress or man down alarm that can be triggered by a press and hold of the panic button. These will send an SMS, email or phone call notification to designated monitors (which can be a manager, group of managers or a central monitoring station) with their GPS location so that help can be sent quickly.<br /><br />Some apps can even allow users to choose exactly when their alarm will repeat – so long as battery-saving measures aren’t in effect. This is a great way to reduce the number of false alarms, making the system more effective and the employee safer.<br /><br />
| + | Types of Lone Worker Panic Buttons<br /><br />Often, when people think of personal panic alarms, they are thinking of small buttons that can be worn or kept in a pocket. These can send a duress alert to designated contacts or monitoring centers. Some personal panic alarms also have the ability to detect if a person is unable to move or speak (in the case of a fall).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Many companies are concerned about ensuring the safety of their lone workers, particularly employees who travel between sites. They may have concerns about a potential threat or they may be worried about being accidentally stranded in an unfamiliar area. This can lead them to wonder whether or not they are required by law to provide staff members with a panic button.<br /><br />In fact, there is no nationwide Occupational Health and Safety Act standard that requires companies to provide a panic button to all of their employees. However, a number of states and cities have staff safety laws requiring that certain employees are provided with a panic button.<br /><br />The most important thing for companies to do is carry out a risk assessment and consult their employees on the matter. This will ensure that their employees are aware of the risks and are happy to be issued with a panic button. Alternatively, some safety solutions such as the SHEQSY app by SafetyCulture offer proactive protection and can be used in place of a panic button. This includes real-time monitoring, automated check-ins and GPS tracking.<br /><br /> |
