Notes

Case Studies of Successful Implementation of Lone Worker Panic Buttons
Lone workers should be empowered to seek immediate assistance, discreetly alert security personnel, and ensure a swift response. Lone worker panic buttons facilitate this by ensuring a safe work environment and safeguarding employees’ well-being.

Employers have a legal duty of care to their lone working staff and should have systems in place to protect them. This includes regular contact and check-ins.
1. A lone worker was attacked by a customer

Lone workers need to have the confidence that their personal safety is important to their employer. This is especially true for employees working alone in remote locations where the risk of attack and assault is much higher. Providing a personal panic button is one way to demonstrate this commitment.

Whether it’s a mobile app, a wearable panic device or a fixed system, the key is that a lone worker is able to activate their alert quickly and discreetly. The ability to ring for help is the difference between being injured or not.

A lone worker’s device will typically be equipped with GPS technology which sends their location to the monitoring centre as soon as the panic button is pressed. This allows the ARC to instantly talk with the user, closely monitor their situation and deploy emergency assistance. The lone worker’s GPS coordinates can also be shared with the authorities if requested by the worker or the ARC.

For example, a lone retail worker is assisting a customer in her store when she notices the individual has become aggressive and is making her feel uncomfortable. Rather than leaving the shop, she discreetly triggers her alarm via her mobile app, immediately sending an alert to her monitors and the store manager. This gives her the confidence that help is on its way without exposing her location to the attacker.

Another benefit of a lone worker’s panic alarm is that the sound can scare off an attacker or help to defuse a dangerous situation. It’s also more effective than simply calling 911 as an attacker may not want to be heard by a responding authority. The lone worker can activate their device and send a text or an audio message to the ARC, which will then notify the authorities immediately and provide their exact GPS coordinates.

Many states and cities are now considering or passing laws requiring lone workers like healthcare and social service workers, homecare nurses and hotel employees to have access to a personal emergency response system that includes a lone worker panic button. This is a great way to ensure these employees are protected when they work alone, and it will help them feel more comfortable in their roles even if they’re operating remotely.
2. A lone worker was attacked by a customer

A customer who is being aggressive or abusive to a lone worker can be very dangerous and it’s important for a lone worker to be able to call for help without being heard or seen. A fixed panic button is ideal for this type of situation, as it can be triggered at a lone worker’s discretion and used to alert the authorities or emergency services. This is particularly helpful in stores that deal with large sums of money, such as jewellery shops, banks and betting shops.

Portable panic buttons are also useful for lone workers as they can be carried with them at all times and triggered in the event of an incident. The device will instantly send an alert to the monitoring centre, allowing them to track the lone worker’s GPS location, talk to them as they are in distress and escalate the issue as per the escalation procedures in place.

Lone worker panic buttons are also known by various names including duress alarms, emergency signallers, SOS alarms and personal alarms. They can be worn around the neck, in the pocket or attached to a belt and are designed to raise an alert in an emergency scenario when a lone worker is at risk of being assaulted or harmed.

Some states and cities have passed staff safety laws that require hotels and other businesses to provide their employees with access to a panic button. This is because these types of workers are more likely to be targeted by criminals due to the fact that they work alone or in potentially dangerous environments.

However, many employers are unsure as to whether or not they need to provide their lone workers with access to a panic button. The truth is that no national Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standard specifically requires the provision of a lone worker panic button, but OSHA has issued citations that recommend them. Moreover, various resources and guidance provided by different agencies recognise the unique hazards that lone workers face and encourage them to use safety devices like panic buttons to increase their protection.
3. A lone worker was attacked by a customer

In the United States, there are a number of different safety devices used to help protect lone workers. These include personal alarms and lone worker check-in systems. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets the standards for workplace safety. There is no specific guidance that requires employers to implement panic buttons, but the agency does publish recommendations that should be taken into consideration.

Personal panic buttons allow lone workers to signal for assistance in the event of a threat or an assault. They can be triggered by pressing a button on a pendant or by using a smartphone app that is integrated into the device. When activated, the device sends a duress alarm to a designated group of people or to a central monitoring station. Some devices also have other safety features like man down sensors or real-time location tracking.

A big advantage of a personal panic button is that it is silent. This is important because an audible alarm could alert the attacker or agitate them further in an attempt to scare them off. Lone worker check-in systems, on the other hand, require a person to manually send an alert to a manager or supervisor.

This can often take a significant amount of time and might mean that the employee has been compromised in the meantime. The time to respond may also be increased if a manager or supervisor is out of the office.

There are a number of benefits to investing in a lone worker system that includes panic buttons and a lone worker check-in solution. This is because the employer has a duty of care to ensure that risks are adequately considered and that staff members are protected from harm.

Providing a lone worker with the ability to instantly summon help and implementing a clear procedure for responding to emergency alerts, will greatly improve their chances of surviving an attack. Moreover, a lone worker check-in system that provides immediate response is a much more cost-effective option than having to employ security personnel or police officers. This can save a business money and potentially prevent future incidents of violence or robbery.
4. A lone worker was attacked by a customer

When a lone worker is confronted with a potentially dangerous situation, such as an assault or intimidation, he or she might not have the time to call a manager or other colleagues for help. That is why a panic button system that automatically alerts management and/or security personnel to a distress signal is invaluable. Such systems usually work over Bluetooth or wi-fi, making them ideal for staff like housekeepers who often move throughout the day or a security guard who patrols the premises of a hotel or healthcare center.

Unlike fixed buttons, which require a physical touch, these wireless solutions can be activated discreetly without alerting the assailant to what is happening. This is especially important as devices that make a sudden, loud noise can exacerbate the situation. In addition to ensuring that security teams respond quickly, these types of solutions typically include GPS tracking capabilities so that the lone worker can provide his or her location.

While it is not yet a requirement in any particular state or city, providing employees with access to a panic button has the potential to greatly reduce assaults and other acts of violence. Furthermore, it can also send the message that an employer’s duty of care extends to employee safety and that the company considers its employees’ well-being as a top priority.

Lone worker panic buttons are one part of a comprehensive lone worker safety solution that includes software, hardware and extended training. But without a solid plan, even the best wearable technology and monitoring software can fail to keep employees safe. That is why it’s essential to implement a safety plan that ensures that employees make wearing a panic button and complying with other safety solutions an everyday part of their routine.

To learn more about how a complete, integrated lone worker protection system like SafetyLine can protect your employees and enhance your company’s culture, request a demonstration of our platform. Panic Button Or take a look at our products to see how we are already protecting workers at hotels, healthcare facilities and more across the country.
Website: https://loneworkerdevices.com