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How to Choose the Right Lone Worker Device for Your Construction Business
Working alone exposes staff to increased risks. If an emergency arises, they may not be able to get assistance quickly.

Implementing a lone worker protection program can help you reduce risk, ensure compliance, and save time. lone worker solutions You should prioritize features that enable instant communications and foster regular check-ins. The best options also support resource access and documentation.
What is Lone Worker Protection?

Lone worker protection refers to the policies, processes and equipment in place to ensure that lone workers are safe and can get help quickly should an incident occur. This can include writing a comprehensive lone working policy, developing detailed risk assessments and investing in a device that allows employees to contact emergency services or colleagues when they need assistance.

While people may think that construction and manufacturing are sectors that don’t employ many lone workers, both industries often have periods where employees work alone or out of sight or earshot of their co-workers. These employees are at an elevated risk of a medical or security incident occurring.

The best way to address these risks is by establishing a lone worker policy and deploying a lone worker monitoring device with a panic button, check in functionality,'man down' non-movement alerts and low battery reminders. Some devices also provide location information to responders to speed up response times.
How Can Lone Worker Protection Help Your Construction Business?

In construction, lone workers are often tasked with entering areas of the site out of sight or earshot of coworkers to install electrics or water or gas lines. The work itself is incredibly dangerous, and as an employer, it is your legal responsibility to ensure a safe working environment for all of your staff members.

Lone worker protection can help you meet your legal responsibility by making sure that employees who work alone are always monitored and alerted to any potential dangers in their immediate environment. Choose a device with features that include a discreet panic button for use in hazardous situations and GPS location capability that can quickly notify emergency responders of the precise location of the individual who needs assistance. A comprehensive system will also offer the ability for lone workers to share dynamic safety messages, complete a roll call and submit safety checklists or hazard reports. Ideally, the device will support cellular and satellite connectivity for remote settings with limited coverage.
What Lone Worker Devices Are Available?

Lone worker safety devices are available from a variety of manufacturers and can vary widely in terms of features. To decide which device is right for your employees, start by understanding the unique threats facing them. For example, home health care nurses may need to navigate unfamiliar neighborhoods, while electrical workers face high voltage hazards.

A good lone worker device will feature features that address these specific risks. For instance, a no-motion alert will automatically request help if the user hasn’t moved for a certain period of time.

Other useful features can include GPS tracking, two-way communication, and a long battery life. Some lone worker safety devices offer 24/7 monitoring, which is worth considering if your lone workers are vulnerable to violence or need to respond quickly to an emergency. Often, these solutions will involve a subscription fee for the device itself as well as monthly fees for the lone worker monitoring service. Alternatively, open solution providers are typically "device agnostic" and work with your team to determine the best way to incorporate their technology into a lone worker solution.
What are the Best Lone Worker Devices for Your Construction Business?

Lone worker devices include unobtrusive, portable technology like GPS trackers and satellite communicators, along with smartphones equipped with lone work safety apps. These can offer a variety of functions for workers, including triggering a panic alert or gas detection.

If a lone worker’s device is triggered, it will send an alert to the monitoring center and the employee’s supervisor. They can then initiate emergency protocols for their employee. This provides a crucial layer of protection for lone workers and supports employers’ duty of care obligations.

Look for a fully integrated solution that includes GPS tracking, a panic button, two-way messaging and automatic emergency detection. A robust lone worker device will also have automatic failover connectivity to ensure that your mobile workforce is never lost, out of contact or without a lifeline. This can be achieved through cellular and satellite connectivity with no maintenance gateways or additional equipment required.
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