Innovative Devices for Enhancing Lone Worker Protection

Working alone is a day-to-day reality for millions of Brits. Approximately 8 million people are classed as lone workers, around 22% of the UK’s working population, and that figure is on the rise.

Asking people to work with no physical proximity to colleagues creates flexibility for employers in how they use their human resources. And as evidenced by the rise in home working, working alone suits a lot of people, too.

But lone working also brings its challenges, particularly around employee safety. Two thirds of businesses in the UK have experienced safety incidents involving lone workers in the past three years, ranging from accidents to physical threats and assaults.

The hazards of working alone are recognised in law, with health and safety legislation requiring companies to carry out risk assessments and take appropriate steps to protect lone workers. These can include changes to the environment, training, and also providing equipment – especially communication devices to keep lone workers in touch with colleagues at all times.

In this article, we look at the important role two way radio technology plays in lone worker protection and highlight some of the best lone working devices available on the market for keeping people in touch and safe.

What is Lone Worker Protection?

According to the Health and Safety Executive, a lone worker is anyone who “works by themselves without close or direct supervision.”

That covers a lot of ground. These days, it can be interpreted as anyone who is working remotely or from home. But in the context of health and safety, lone working usually refers to situations where working alone and unsupervised creates additional risks to the individual.

Some common examples include:

• Delivery and public transportation drivers
• Security personnel
• Cleaners
• Maintenance workers
• Certain retail staff, e.g. those working in petrol station forecourts and convenience stores
• Any industrial workers or engineers who might be asked to work in areas away from colleagues at any time

What are the Threats to Lone Worker Safety?

Working alone exposes people to greater risks in a number of ways. The most obvious is what happens if you have an accident or suddenly fall seriously ill. If you are working with other people, they can come to your aid and/or raise the alarm to get you help more or less straight away. If you are on your own, the worst case scenario is that you can’t get any help at all, with potentially fatal consequences.

Other common risks associated with lone working include increased exposure to violence and crime. Workers like delivery drivers and retail staff running premises alone are commonly targeted by thieves, while the likes of bus drivers, train conductors, traffic wardens and security personnel often fall victim to threats and violence.

Lone Worker Solutions

Focusing on equipment, one of the most important ways any employer can keep employees working alone safe is by providing them with a dedicated device that keeps them in contact with colleagues. In the case of an accident or a threat to their safety, a radio or similar means they can call for help.

Over the years, many two way radios have added specialised safety features geared towards providing extra monitoring and protection for lone workers, including the likes of GPS location tracking, one-touch emergency alarms and timed ‘check in’ monitoring protocols. The digital evolution of radio technology has also opened the door to new and innovative ways of keeping workers connected wherever they are working. And this has also led to developments outside radios, with the emergence of portable tracking devices designed specifically to ensure the safety of lone workers.

There are currently three categories of lone worker protection devices. Let’s look at them in turn.

Traditional two way radios with lone worker features

As already mentioned, two way radios have long been a popular way of keeping lone workers in touch with colleagues. This is especially true in industry, where the resilience and reliability of two way radio handsets have long made them the communication device of choice anyway. The emergence of digital mobile radios (DMRs) has just cemented that reputation, with more robust audio, signal and overall performance making modern devices even better suited to tough industrial environments.

Looking at specific examples, the Hytera HP685 represents a typical entry-level industrial radio. Along with a durable build, AI-enhanced audio and advanced energy efficiency for prolonged battery life, specific safety features include a lone worker alarm, a monitoring system which requires users to ‘check on’ with colleagues at agreed intervals. If they do not, an alarm is triggered. The HP685 also includes a prominent one-touch emergency call button, which overrides all other calls on all channels, and a similar one-touch emergency alarm.

These have become fairly standard safety features on many modern two-way radios. At the next level up, models like the Motorola R7 showcase the latest in digital connectivity and software capabilities, offering more ways for lone workers to stay in touch with colleagues than ever before – and therefore offering more flexible protections. These include the likes of GPS location tracking, Bluetooth (which in turn enables ‘beacon’ tracking for indoor environments), telephone integrations and general IP connectivity via WiFi.

The latter opens the door to universal integration with any other IP-capable communication system and means distance is no longer a barrier. A security guard on patrol at an office complex, for example, or a retail worker staffing a petrol station alone at night, can be in constant, seamless contact with a command centre. Plus you can integrate voice communications with other systems like CCTV, so supervisors can see what is happening as they speak to employees, and make faster, more informed decisions about raising the alarm to send help.

Push-to-Talk Over Cellular (POC) – Radios that work over Mobile Network

While many modern digital two-way radios offer IP/Wi-Fi connectivity as an extension of their normal functions, POC radios work exclusively via the internet. They transmit group and private voice calls in a radio-like way, with the benefits of easy one-touch calling and reliable audio. But they do this via mobile data and WiFi connections.

The big advantage this gives POC devices over traditional two way radio is universal coverage. If you’re using a POC handset, you can connect to anyone, anywhere there is an internet connection. We mentioned the benefits of this in the context of worker safety when talking about WiFi-ready two way radios above. It provides a guaranteed remote connection wherever someone happens to be working, But with POC, this is standard, not an extra to look out for.

IDARO, the POC application we recommend, goes further with a range of additional features that are perfectly suited to lone worker protection. IDARO software adds one-touch emergency calling and lone worker monitoring to any device it is installed on. It also has a special covert emergency feature, which allows users to trigger an alert discreetly if they find themselves in a threatening situation, without lighting up a screen.

IDARO also offers a range of advanced location tracking and sharing features. Not only does it have GPS as standard, it maps user movements and location history which makes finding people in an emergency easier, and it also has indoor localisation to help pinpoint location in buildings where GPS is not always accurate. In addition, geofencing can be set up to issue alerts when users enter or leave specified areas, for example to prompt colleagues to be extra vigilant when someone enters a particularly hazardous area.

IDARO can be run on any SIM and/or WIFi ready device, including smartphone. Though for robust, reliable business use, we recommend purpose-built POC-ready handsets. For lone worker protection, Telox handsets are ideal. The Telox TE320 is affordable and very user friendly, with a basic 2-inch screen and simple controls that include a prominent alarm button. The Telox TE620G offers more advanced functionality and performance, with a smartphone-like touchscreen and even front and rear cameras, meaning users can capture evidence of incidents as they unfold. Both models also benefit from a durable build, excellent audio quality and long battery life.

Body-worn GPS Lone Worker Device

While two way and POC radios often have lone worker protections built into them as additional functions, there is another class of communication device built solely with worker safety in mind. Body-worn GPS trackers like the GH5200 are stripped back to the essentials of personal safety – location tracking, emergency buttons, two-way voice communication and reliable mobile connectivity.

A key benefit of the GH5200 versus most standard radios is its compact and lightweight design. Roughly the size of an ID card, it can be carried or worn on the body in a variety of ways, making it versatile, discreet and unobtrusive to carry. As well as real-time satellite location tracking, it offers one-touch emergency SMS messaging via a prominent SOS alarm button and emergency calling to up to five pre-programmed mobile numbers. Users can also programme their own additional safety features from a choice that includes lone worker monitoring, Man Down and ‘No Movement’ automated alarms, geofencing and more.

Choosing the Right Safety Device to Keep Your Lone Workers Safe

Choosing the right protection solutions for your lone workers helps reduce the risks they face while keeping your business compliant with health and safety law. We understand that, regardless of what industry they operate in, when businesses and organisations are looking for mobile communications solutions, personnel safety and security is often one of their top priorities. We have close to 50 years experience advising clients on the best options for keeping their people safe. To tap into that expertise and discuss what options work best for you, get in touch with our team today.

FAQs

How does a lone working device work?

A lone working device keeps workers in touch colleagues even when they are working alone so they call for help in emergencies. Body-worn devices like the GH5200 feature GPS tracking, an emergency alarm button and two-way voice calling capabilities.  This means colleagues can track the location of anyone wearing the device at all times, while the wearer has the ability to request help or raise an alarm if and when needed.

Lone worker features are also routinely built into more conventional business-class two-way radio and POC devices. Lone Worker is a common monitoring protocol that requires radio users to check in with colleagues at fixed intervals. If they miss a time check, an alert is raised. Other common radio features that are useful for lone workers are one-touch emergency calling and alerts, and Man Down fall detection alarms.

What is the lone worker device policy?

A lone worker device policy outlines how employees working alone should use safety devices to stay protected. It includes providing appropriate communication tools, conducting risk assessments, and setting check-in and emergency protocols. The policy ensures compliance with health and safety laws while minimising risks.

Employers should regularly update the policy to address new workplace hazards and technological advancements. Training is essential so employees understand how to use the devices correctly. A well-defined policy helps businesses protect lone workers effectively and respond quickly in emergencies.

What is the best lone worker safety device?

The best lone worker safety device depends on the environment you are working in and the level of risk. For industrial settings, two-way radios like the Hytera HP685 or Motorola R7 offer durability, GPS tracking, and specialised emergency alert features. These devices are built to maintain open lines of communication in tough environments.

For mobile workers or for connecting lone workers over a wide geographic area, POC radio systems such as IDARO software provide universal connectivity via mobile data and Wi-Fi, as well as GPS location tracking. Compact body-worn GPS trackers like the GH5200 are ideal for those needing a lightweight, discreet option with emergency calling and geofencing.