Lone Worker Alarms: The Ultimate Guide for 2024 ?

Managing lone workers in health and safety can be a challenge and with 2020 bringing about a new focus on homeworking, it is no longer selected professions that have to worry about how their workers are coping when they are not being supervised.

In professions where lone working is very common like certain engineering and mining roles, lone worker alarms are viewed as a good way to provide employees with the ability to signal others when they are in danger. Quick response to incidents can often be the difference between life and death.

A lone worker is a term that can be applied to anyone who works alone, either in a fixed facility or away from their regular base of work. Some of the most common workplaces for lone working include; factories, hospitals, warehouses, and utilities/maintenance.

What is a lone worker alarm?

A lone worker alarm is a system that enables those working alone to signal when they are experiencing an emergency. The alarm can come in many different forms including smartphones and wearable devices. They are usually sent to a monitoring system that may be provided by the employer or even emergency services.

Lone worker alarms in the form of apps are very popular for their practicality and ease of adoption. Whilst they come with other risks (phone battery and reliability etc) they can be a good way to protect workers from the threats of operating alone. Some apps even have a ‘duress alarm system’. These are good for when an employee may be forced to close an alarm. A false pin is usually provided which gives the illusion that the alarm has been stopped; when in fact it is kept running silently.

Some of the main features to look out for in a lone worker app include

• Built-in GPS tracking.
• Fixed panic alarms.
• Low battery alerts.
• Check prompts and missed check-in alerts.
• A discrete alert system
• Worker down alerts.
• These features help cover a wide variety of different hazards that may be presented to lone workers during the course of their duties.

What apps protect lone workers?

There are a number of apps designed to help protect lone workers including the below products, more details can be found on our lone worker alarm suppliers directory.

• StaySafe.
• Safepoint.
• Peoplesafe.
• OK Alone.
• LONEALERT.

What are the different types of lone worker alarms?

With different industries requiring slightly different approaches, there are also different alarms with alternative functions that help protect lone workers.

Duress alarm: when workers are confronted with an attacker ?

When confronted by a threatening attacker or intimidating behaviour, a duress alarm empowers you to discreetly call for help. With a simple activation, the duress alarm sends a silent notification to designated responders, alerting them of your situation without provoking the threat. Duress alarms are a vital safety tool, providing peace of mind and a discrete line of defence for lone workers.

Worker-down alarm: Used to detect medical emergencies ?

Worker-down alarms are designed specifically to detect falls and medical emergencies, instantly sending an alert for help. When a worker becomes incapacitated, a worker-down alarm acts as a guardian angel, automatically notifying designated responders that assistance is needed. This critical safety device provides peace of mind for lone workers and ensures they receive help quickly in a time of crisis.

Panic alarm: Used when a sudden incident has caused panic ?

Highly visible and readily accessible, panic alarms are lifesavers in emergency situations. When a sudden incident triggers overwhelming panic, a panic alarm provides an immediate way to call for help. With a simple activation, a panic alarm can summon assistance during critical moments, offering peace of mind and a sense of security.

Discreet Panic alarm: Used to send an alert without an audible alarm ?

In threatening situations where escalating the tension could worsen the danger, discreet panic alarms offer a silent lifeline. Unlike traditional alarms, discreet panic alarms allow a worker feeling threatened and panicked to silently call for help. With a quick press of a hidden button, a discreet panic alarm can send a silent notification to designated responders, discreetly summoning help without alerting the potential threat.

These are some of the lone worker alarms that are available on the market and they all have different uses which can help to protect employees even when they are faced with challenging and unpredictable situations. This is crucial given the increased risk workers face when they are operating alone.

one worker alarm that are available on the market and they all have different uses which can help to protect employees even when they are faced with challenging and unpredictable situations. This is crucial given the increased risk workers face when they are operating alone.

How to protect lone workers ?

Part of the risk associated with lone working is the lack of supervision and help that can be given in the event of an accident. If a worker does come in harm’s way the lack of a speedy response can prove fatal. Also, the need to sometimes make instant safety decisions without the input of another person can raise an additional risk to lone working.

Employer Duties: Under UK law, employers with lone workers must prioritise safety with a comprehensive risk assessment. Identify potential hazards, from violence to accidents, and implement control measures to mitigate them. This could involve providing lone worker alarms, establishing regular check-in procedures, and ensuring a safe working environment. Training on risk awareness, emergency response, and de-escalation techniques is vital for lone workers.

Technology for Security: Utilise technology to bolster lone worker security. Consider GPS tracking devices for field workers, or virtual check-in apps with panic buttons. Lone worker alarms can discreetly summon help in emergencies. Remember, technology is a tool, so ensure proper training and support systems are in place alongside it.

Communication and Awareness: Both employers and lone workers have responsibilities. Employers should maintain clear communication channels and keep track of lone worker schedules and locations. Lone workers should be aware of their surroundings, trust their instincts, and report any safety concerns. By working together, a culture of safety can be established to protect lone workers.

There are a significant number of lone workers within the UK and the recent normalisation of home workers has likely increased this. Additionally roles that may have in the past required two workers now require one as is touched on in a recent podcast from the Rail Safety and Standards Board.

What are lone worker alarms good for?

There are some natural benefits to lone worker alarms including the general reduction of response times to major and minor incidents concerning lone workers. They are particularly useful in environments where lone working employees are at a greater risk of slipping and falling.

In some cases, lone worker alarm systems are also designed so that they can be activated if a worker is impaired or knocked unconscious. This partial removal of the ‘human error’ variable associated with lone worker alarms helps to increase their overall effectiveness.

How you can help protect lone workers?

Whilst lone worker alarms are a great way to provide an added safety net to those working in isolation, they need to be part of a holistic approach to worker safety if you are going to stop your lone workers from becoming endangered.

Employers have a duty of care towards workers as outlined by the HSE Executive through the health and safety at work act. As a result, when work is being done in isolation the employer will need to carry out extra measures to ensure they protect lone workers.

Some of the key steps to take when protecting lone workers include conducting the appropriate lone worker risk assessments and developing a robust lone worker policy. Beyond that training is also good to show employees how they can work safely when they are not being supervised.

When conducting a lone worker risk assessment, a lone worker alarm could be a good way to introduce a controlling measure for the risks that employees may be exposed to when operating in isolation. It is vital to stay up to date with the latest best practice when it comes to lone workers, as the recent HSE review of the current guidance has shown.