Notes

Best Practices for Using Lone Worker Panic Buttons
Lone worker panic buttons are a useful safety tool for employees working alone. When pressed, these devices notify a monitoring center that help is needed and can automatically send GPS location information to law enforcement and first responders.

These devices and lone worker apps are most effective when employees wear them and follow established safety plan protocols. But how do you know if your device works as it should?
1. man down alarm Know Your Device

Lone workers must use their device regularly to check-in, follow safety plan protocols and respond to escalation scenarios. It’s important to find a device that fits in with how they work and is easy to use.

Using a lone worker device allows workers to quickly and discreetly signal for help. One push of the button calls a company care center or local dispatch and immediately sends their location. Devices can also provide a silent mode that only sends vibrations to the wearer and doesn’t alert others around them.

Lone workers in high-risk roles such as social workers, parole officers and child & family services can be particularly vulnerable to violence. The quick sounding of a Red Alert panic alarm can scare away any perpetrator and let them know that authorities are on their way. This can be a lifesaver for these workers and their clients, especially those who live alone.
2. Know Your Message

A lone worker panic button should provide an easy and clear method of calling for help. During a moment of danger, it’s unrealistic to expect employees to unlock their phone, open an app and then decide which emergency option to select. Fortunately, safety devices like the Centurion Anywhere allow for a single button press to send an emergency text message with the employee’s location to a designated list of contacts in 2 seconds.

Other lone worker safety solutions, such as the popular push-to-talk voice "walkie talkie" app Zello, have recently added an emergency panic button feature. This alerts the company’s monitoring center to a 1-way voice call where a team member will listen and escalate the event according to police protocols.

If you are considering using a lone worker panic button, be sure to take the time to carry out a risk assessment of your work environment. Whether they are realtors showing homes, utility workers operating in dangerous areas or health nurses visiting patients at home, a well-designed safety plan is essential to ensure the safety of your employees.
3. Know Your Location

Using a lone worker device with a panic button, workers can trigger an alert with their exact location in seconds. This avoids a delay when they need help the most.

A triggered alert sends a 1-way voice call from the lone worker device or a dedicated safety app to an emergency response centre. The operator listens to the alert, verifies it and dispatches based on your organisation’s emergency response plan.

Standalone lone worker devices have GPS and are able to communicate an employee’s location to a monitoring centre when a duress alarm is activated. This is a vital feature when it comes to preventing incidents such as burglaries or assaults.

Alternatively, a lone worker app downloaded straight to a mobile phone offers a quick and easy way for employees to signal for help without the need to remember and charge an additional device. The app also allows employees to check in and out of their shift.
4. Know Your Options

While lone worker panic buttons are a great way to keep employees safe, they’re only useful if someone is there to respond. As such, employers should consider implementing a system that includes 24/7 monitoring.

Many mobile workers, such as truck drivers, traveling salesmen, repair technicians and healthcare professionals face unique dangers when they’re out on the road. These people might be subject to physical violence from the general public or other unforeseen issues.

Personal alarms that pair with a lone worker device or safety app can be used by these types of employees to quickly summon help. When they press a button labelled ‘help’ an alert is instantly sent to the lone worker’s monitor or a live call centre. Then, the incident is assessed and assistance is dispatched in line with police guidelines. Having such a system in place might also be a legal requirement in some countries. Employers should check in with their lawyers for more information on specific laws regarding lone working and emergency procedures.
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