Lone worker alarm systems for safety at work

Travailleur isolé blessé sur un chantier mais secouru par un collègue

A lone worker alarm system is a system enabling an employee who is carrying out his or her tasks alone, without a colleague nearby, to report distress or an incident. This type of solution is also refered to as a man down alarm device or lone worker protection system.

 

In this article, we look at the usefulness of lone worker alarm systems, their roles and the available features. We also highlight the criteria for selecting a lone worker alarm system, to ensure that safety managers have a system that meets the safety and protection needs of lone workers.

 

Choosing the right lone worker alarm system for your company is essential, because these systems must provide the best possible response to the specific risks faced by lone workers. The choice of lone worker alarm system will depend not only on the characteristics of a facility, but also on the type of activities carried out and the work organisation in place.

 

 

What is a lone worker alarm system ?

 

Definition

 

A lone worker alarm system refers to a system that enables an employee, working out of sight or hearing of other people, to report a situation of distress . Whether it’s a health problem, a physical accident or a danger linked to the working environment, the lone worker alarm system enables isolated workers to instantly alert their management of a need for assistance.

 

The role of a lone worker alarm system for lone worker safety

 

Workers carrying out their tasks without being in the direct vicinity of other colleagues can be attended to quickly in the event of an incident. The aim is to mitigate the risks associated with their isolation.

 

The lone worker alarm system is used to respond to the specific risks faced by isolated workers. Isolated working is not only an aggravating factor in the event of an accident, it is also the source of risks in its own right.

 

The absence of direct supervision by a person in charge when a worker is on his own can lead to inappropriate or even dangerous working habits. In this respect, working alone is by itself a risk factor.

 

 

The purpose and usefulness of the lone worker alarm system

 

Lone worker safety: alerting a manager in the event of an accident

 

The first function of the lone worker alarm system is to enable an employee to signal that he or she is in distress. It must therefore enable the worker to communicate an incident directly to a manager by sending an alert. This is made possible by the ‘SOS’ button functionality.

 

However, in many situations, the worker himself cannot report the accident that just occurred, if he is in pain or unconscious. This is why the lone worker alarm system must also be equipped with automatic incident detection using sensors. Therefore, lone worker protection systems must  be able to identify a fall or prolonged immobility that is abnormal in relation to the worker’s usual activity.

 

Automatic detection ensures that isolated workers can receive assistance, even if unconscious or unable to take direct action to communicate.

 

Lone worker alarm system: escalating to management and emergency teams

 

Once an incident has been reported or automatically detected, the alert must be passed on to the supervisor and then on to other people designated by the company’s protocols. Alerts must be escalated to management via text messages, notifications, cascading calls or onto a dedicated supervision user interface (on smartphone or computer). A communications network is therefore required to enable alerts to be escalated.

 

In addition, lone worker alarm systems can also be equipped with a ‘buzzer’ function so that the alert can be heard by anyone approaching the victim. This makes it easier to acknowledge the alert and to locate the distressed worker.

 

Lone worker alarm system: facilitate rescue operations to save a worker in distress

 

As we have just seen, a buzzer function can facilitate rescue operations by making it easier for teams to find the victim. There are also lone worker protection systems capable of locating workers in distress in real time to minimise the time it takes for rescue teams to arrive. In many cases, the minutes spent waiting for help to arrive are vital, and have an impact on the severity of the damage.

(For more information, see our article on the risks of working alone).

 

 

 

The main features of a lone worker alarm system

 

Manual or automatic incident detection

 

As we have seen, incident detection can be manual or automatic. Automatic detection has the advantage of ensuring that the alert is triggered in all types of circumstances. So, when choosing a solution, you need to take into account the accuracy and reliability of the automatic incident detection system.

 

SOS button

 

The SOS button is a feature offered on many lone worker alarm system models, enabling the employee to manually trigger an alert in the event of an incident.

 

Alarm buzzer function

The buzzer function of a lone worker alarm system corresponds to the emission of an audible alarm in the event of an incident. This warns any employees of the incident if they happen to come near the victim in the course of their work. It also makes it easier to find the worker in distress once the alarm has been transmitted.

 

It’s a feature designed to make it easier to get help to a vulnerable lone worker as quickly as possible. This buzzer system is also found in SYSNAV’s lone worker alarm system.

 

Localization of the worker in distress

 

A man down device must enable a worker in distress to be attended to as quickly as possible in order to preserve the employee’s health and be in compliance with regulations. This is why it is essential to be able to locate the worker quickly once the accident has been detected.

 

Many man down systems rely on GPS sensors to locate workers. However, the unavailability of GPS indoors and its lack of accuracy in environments with a high density of buildings or infrastructure mean that GPS-only localization solutions are inefficient or even ineffective.

 

Some indoor location systems exist. For example, they use Bluetooth beacons. However, they are costly to install and maintain in order to achieve satisfactory accuracy everywhere. These systems are therefore difficult to justify on large sites because of the significant investment they represent.

 

SYSNAV’s man down device has been designed to meet these needs for precise geolocation of workers in distress. Thanks to its unique technology, SYSNAV’s lone worker alarm system makes it possible to locate an employee in distress indoors, outdoors and in basements WITHOUT heavy infrastructure.

 

 

Preventing accidents via a lone worker alarm system

 

A lone worker alarm system is designed to protect workers. On top of facilitating rescue in the event of an incident, it can also help to prevent potential accidents. Some lone worker alarm systems offer functionalities for detecting frequent risk situations on sites.

 

see our dedicated article on preventing lone worker accidents.

 

 

The different types and models of alarm devices for isolated workers

 

Dedicated alarm devices for lone workers

 

Dedicated lone worker protection devices are equipment specifically designed to send an alert in the event of an incident being detected. They can be worn on the belt, leg, arm, shoe or chest, depending on the model. The choice of model should be determined by the activity of your employees, so that the equipment does not interfere with their work.

 

The SYSNAV device, for example, is worn on the shoe or at the ankle so that it does not interfere with the work of operators and agents.

 

 

Mobile apps for lone worker safety

 

A mobile phone can be turned into a lone worker alarm system using a dedicated mobile application. This is an attractive solution for employees who already have a mobile phone, as it does not require any additional equipment.

 

However, these solutions may present risks of inaccuracy in detecting incidents and may be the source of false alarms due to the unreliability of the sensors in the smartphone.

 

It is therefore sometimes necessary to combine the mobile application with another device such as a lone worker protection wearable to make incident detection more reliable. The aim is to ensure the reliability of the solution through a system dedicated exclusively to detecting workers in distress.

 

Smartwatches or wristbands

 

There are lone worker alarm systems in the form of a watch or bracelet. These devices are easy to wear and take up very little space. However, they are not suitable for all activities. If workers are carrying out meticulous tasks, these systems may detect immobility and trigger an alarm. These systems can therefore be responsible for false alarms. It is therefore important to ensure that the device is worn on the wrist in a way that is appropriate for the activities of isolated workers.

 

 

The price of lone worker alarm systems

 

How much does a lone worker alarm system cost?

 

The price of a lone worker alarm system varies according to different criteria. Whether it’s a smartphone application or a dedicated device, the cost of a lone worker alarm system can vary greatly. What’s more, depending on the safety standards to be complied with (ATEX, for example), and the features required, lone worker alarm system technologies vary, and so do their prices.

 

Here are a few lone worker alarm system functions that may help you choose the right system:

  • Incident detection
  • Detection of risk situations
  • Geolocation of an employee in distress
  • Management of incidents and internal or external alert chains

 

Other criteria may also be considered:

  • Size of the facility to be covered
  • Number of employees to be equipped
  • Type of activity carried out on the site
  • Presence of ATEX areas
  • How the lone worker alarm system should be worn (bracelet, shoe, belt, etc.) to avoid disturbing operators

 

What determines the price of a lone worker alarm system?

 

There are several factors to take into account when determining not only the price, but also the total cost of ownership of a lone worker alarm system:

 

  • The per unit price of the lone worker protection device (purchase price or subscription)
  • The possible cost of the software  (subscription or purchase)
  • The cost of installation (project costs for the service provider and within your company)
  • The cost of maintenance (to be taken into account in particular in the services offered by susbcription-based solutions)
  • The cost of the remote monitoring centre if alerts are handled by a third-party

 

 

 

Which lone worker alarm system should I choose?

 

Analysing lone working situations

 

To choose a lone worker alarm system suited to your company, you need to start by analysing the lone working situations among your staff. Make an exhaustive list of situations where employees are in lone working situations, in order to understand which type of system will be the most appropriate for their activities.

 

For example, you’ll need to take into account whether employees work in large, complex areas requiring localisation functionality, or whether there are any ATEX zones to take into account.

 

Choosing a lone worker alarm system adapted to the work activities

 

As we have seen with the existing models of lone worker alarm system, there are different types of devices and different ways of wearing them. In this respect, the selection process for the lone worker alarm system must take into account the impact of this equipment on the workers’ activities. The impact on alerts and incident detection must also be taken into account.

 

A device that is not adapted to the working conditions of isolated workers may lead to numerous false alarms and/or false positives and/or a lack of incident detection. For example, a device that is too cumbersome or heavy may hinder employees in their work and cause them not to wear it at all. This could endanger the worker.

 

Choosing a lone worker alarm system with features tailored to your site

 

Lone worker alarm systems offer a wide range of functions: SOS button, manual and/or automatic alert, localisation of the worker in distress, detection of high-risk situations, etc. Depending on the configuration, size and risks specific to your site, lone workers may be more or less exposed to certain types of risks.

 

For example, on a building site or a site with many walkways and scaffolding, the risk of falling is high. In this respect, the detection of work at height to warn a manager when the worker exceeds the tolerated height could be useful. Similarly, on large sites, the challenge of locating a worker in distress is essential once the alarm has been raised. Indeed, the minutes of delay before help is needed are vital. Indoor and outdoor location is important in this case.

 

Involving employees in the choice of a lone worker alarm system

 

The effectiveness of a lone worker alarm system depends above all on its proper use by the lone workers themselves. To ensure that the system meets their expectations and is adapted to the tasks they perform on a daily basis, it is important to involve them early on in the choice of the lone worker device model.

 

Internal support for the lone worker alarm system is essential to ensure that it is used correctly and that lone workers are safe.

 

 

 

The SYSNAV lone worker protection system : advantages and performance

 

 

 

Automatic incident detection with SYSNAV’s lone worker alarm system

 

SYSNAV’s lone worker alarm system automatically and reliably recognises incidents that occur while employees are working. SYSNAV’s lone worker protection system has been developed to manage different types of alert:

 

  • Detection of prolonged immobility
  • Detection of a fall (loss of verticality)

 

The SYSNAV system is also capable of detecting certain high-risk situations thanks to its precision:

 

  • Detection of work at height
  • Detection of entry into a prohibited or dangerous area

 

SYSNAV’s lone worker alarm system and the reliability of alerts

 

Thanks to its expertise in motion measurement, SYSNAV has developed a lone worker alarm system with truly reliable alerts to avoid false alarms.

 

This reliability is made possible by:

  • The precision of our system (sensors calibration and motion data processing algorithms)
  • Configurable and customisable alert criteria to ensure that the system meets the specific needs of your site and activities
  • An audible pre-alert sent to the employee before the alert is passed on to managers

 

A lone worker alarm system solution that can be configured and customised to suit your needs

 

The SYSNAV solution has the advantage of being configurable and customisable by managers to ensure that it meets the site’s specific safety and security needs.

 

For example, you can determine the criteria for triggering alerts to adapt the lone worker protection system to the activity of your employees, so that they are not hindered by untimely alerts.

 

 

For information on SYSNAV’s lone worker alarm system

 

 

visit our dedicated page: SYSNAV Lone Worker Protection System

 

 

 

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