There are several different types of lone worker alarm systems available, so it is important that you fully understand your options and choose the most appropriate one for your needs.

Specialist devices

There are several companies that offer specialist devices designed to function as lone worker alarms.  These devices can be in the format of a pager or id badge with built in communication capabilities.  The devices are discrete and a lone worker in need of assistance can raise an alarm with obviously communicating.  These devices have built in mobile phone SIM cards and in some cases GPS to provide location details.

These specialist lone worker alarm devices are designed for environments where risk assessment of your lone workers indicates a high degree of risk.  They offer the highest level of protection available on the market but the trade-off is that they are also relatively expensive.   There is usually an up front fee to purchase each device (often with values of up to £300) and then an ongoing monthly commitment, typically around £15 per user per month.  There is always a minimum contracted period.

Smartphone alert systems

As an alternative to the top-of-the-range dedicated lone worker alarms, you can now use some smart phones with special software installed.  These systems allow you to set and cancel alerts,  often using a voice call direct to an automated monitoring system.  They also may feature a panic button (usually a pre-assigned speed-dial on the phone) and some have GPS capabilities, although this is entirely dependent on the device itself having GPS functions.

The difficulty with these systems is user dislike.  We have many cases of users simply not liking the whole process of calling into an automated monitoring system, remembering pin codes and then forgetting to cancel an alert.  For any system to succeed, user acceptance is an essential ingredient and something that these devices can struggle to achieve.

Often, these solutions are cheaper than buying dedicated devices and are therefore more suited to general deployment.

Mobile phone based lone worker alarms

Often the cheapest solution to deploy is a mobile phone with links to monitoring centres or other alerting mechanisms.  As a safety device mobile phones will not be able to use GPS to provide location information, but can use the mobile phone networks to identify location.  This approach though does have a lower degree of accuracy.

Depending on the system in question, some use the same process as smart phones to dial in to an automated monitoring system, which brings with it the same issues of user acceptance.  Other systems use text messages which tend to be easier for users to manage.  As acceptance is critical for success, user acceptance is an essential part of the process.

Mobile phone systems can also have panic buttons using the phone speed-dial, and may also have reminders for the start or end of an appointment.

As an option, these tend to be the cheapest.

Summary

There is a need for a variety of options depending on the level and type of risks that your lone workers face.  Proprietary device based solutions are essential in high-risk environments where lone workers are regularly exposed to to potentially dangerous situations.  Of course, you need the budget to be able to implement these systems, and so where sensible and appropriate to do so, other, lower cost alternatives using mobile phones should be considered.

The key though, regardless of the situation is to make sure that lone workers understand and accept the alarm system that has been provided so that they use it properly.

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1. 10 Steps to Improving Lone Worker Protection

It is essential therefore that you invest enough time and resource to ensure as far as possible the safety of your lone workers. Your organisation should put in place a lone worker policy and follow this through with a proper risk assessment.  But if you need a starting point, here are 10 things that will get you moving in the right direction:

1. Ensure that lone workers who work in the community know as much about the location they are visiting as possible before leaving for the appointment.  Consider families with excitable animals and safe parking areas for example.
2. Try and make visits during daylight hours
3. If travelling by public transport make sure you can get home from your appointment easily.  Look for a safe location near your appointment that will be accessible when you leave
4. Ensure you have a good alarm system in place, preferably an automated one but at the very least a buddy system with colleagues
5. Ensure that any communication devices you need such as your mobile phone are charged and easily accessible.
6. Let the occupier of the premises you are visiting go in first andyou follow.
7. Dress appropriately for the people you are visiting.  Be aware of any cultural beliefs that certain styles of dress may offend (particularly watch out for wearing revealing clothes during hot weather).
8. Make sure that the people you are visiting know you are coming and why.  It will help you avoid any shocked or inflammatory reactions.
9. Consier taking a colleague if necessary.  You should never go alone if you are concerned for your safety.
10. If in doubt – don’t go.

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1. Lone Worker Alarms Made Simple
2. What is a lone worker – a definition
3. Lone workers dealing with the public

Safety, security and peace of mind for outreach work have never been more important than now.  The legal and personal consequences of getting it wrong can be disastrous for your centre and are too painful to consider for any worker affected.

You may have considered lone worker alerting systems in the past but been put off by complicated software and expensive price tags.

For the first time, a solution is available that you can safeguard your staff in under 30 minutes and costs less to run each month than a Starbucks coffee.

• It needs no expensive equipment
• Can be ready to use in 30 minutes
• Uses your existing mobile phone and text messages
• No contracts, no commitment
• Complete audit trail

And it’s so simple, here’s how it works:

Step 1 – set the alert by sending a text message to TXTBuddy.  This message was sent at 12:15.  This message sets an alert for 30 minutes.  You don’t have to enter an address after it.  Put in whatever is relevant.

Step 2 – you will receive a “secret coded” confirmation from TXTBuddy.  The example message above means “your alert will trigger at 12:45.  You have 15 minutes to cancel using the code word Dean.”

Step 3 – cancel the alert by texting the code word “Dean” to TXTBuddy.

And if you don’t cancel – then TXTBuddy alerts your chosen colleagues, family or monitoring service (after sending you a gentle reminder first of course).

Limited offer until December 4th

The TXTround platform that powers TXTBuddy is already in use in hundreds of schools, childrens centres, Local Authorities and businesses.  Request TXTBuddy before it’s official launch on 7th December and you can take advantage of a massive 63% saving from the normal price of £257.  Simply complete the form on the right of this page to secure your one-off discount.

Any questions, leave a comment below and we’ll get straight back to you.

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• the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
• the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

These laws do not make it illegal for employees to work alone, but they do place a responsibility on the employer to ensure that it is safe to do so.

Employers are responsible not just for their own employees but also for others who are affected by their work activities such as self-employed individuals and contractors.

Lone workers also have a responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves and others affected by their working activities.  This includes co-operating with employers to ensure that their legal responsibilities are met.

The key thing to remember is that your legal requirements are exactly that.  You can’t make them go away, and besides doing your best to make sure your colleagues are safe at work is surely something anybody would subscribe to.

The key is to take action, implement a system and make sure that you and your colleagues are as safe as possible.

Implementing TXTLone will help you to meet your legal requirements!  To order, complete the form on the right of the page.

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Lone workers are those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision. They may be found in a wide range of situations, and some examples are provided below.

People in fixed establishments

• People working alone in premises, eg in small workshops, petrol stations, kiosks or shops
• People who work from home
• People working separately from others, eg in factories, warehouses, some research and training establishments, leisure centres or fairgrounds
• People working outside normal hours, eg cleaners and security, production, maintenance or repair staff

Mobile workers working away from their fixed base

• Workers involved in construction, plant installation, maintenance and cleaning work, electrical repairs, lift repairs, painting and decorating or vehicle recovery
• Agricultural and forestry workers
• Service workers, eg rent collectors, postal staff, social workers, home helps,doctors, district nurses, pest control workers, drivers, engineers, architects, estate agents, sales representatives

Related posts:

1. 10 Steps to Improving Lone Worker Protection
2. Lone workers dealing with the public