Case Studies of Successful Implementation of Lone Worker Panic Buttons

A panic button gives lone workers a way to discreetly call for help without escalating the situation. These are commonly found in hotels, casinos and healthcare settings.

With the Ok Alone smartphone app, users can use a flexible countdown timer to reduce their check-in interval and set an Incapacitation alarm (based on tilt, non-movement and impact). This sends an alert to the designated escalation contacts.

1. A Lone Worker Was Attacked

Lone worker panic buttons are also known as duress alarms, emergency signal devices, SOS alarms and personal safety devices. Regardless of their different names, they all function in the same way: they send an instant alert to management or security personnel whenever someone presses them.

For example, the Ok Alone lone worker app’s home screen features a large red button with ‘Help’ on it that can be pressed at any time to trigger an alert straight to a live monitoring centre. Alternatively, users can use their smartphone’s power button 4 times to trigger a discreet panic alert that does not make any audible noise. This is important as it allows staff to summon help without letting their assailant know they are calling for assistance.

Another scenario: a factory employee is working alone in isolation, out of sight and earshot of co-workers, when a forklift accident happens. They are trapped, injured and unable to move. They yell for help, but nobody hears them and it is hours before they are found and called in for a medical check-up. This could have been avoided if they had been using a lone worker safety device with a built-in panic alarm that was activated via a missed check-in alert or session expiry alert, which is available on many lone worker safety apps.

2. A Lone Worker Was Injured

The safety of lone workers is an important consideration for all businesses. Companies that require employees to operate alone on a regular basis should create a lone worker safety policy that assesses and addresses the unique risks of these types of jobs. Lone worker panic buttons can be an effective tool to ensure lone workers have access to help in the event of an emergency.

In addition to a lone worker procedure, it is recommended that lone workers be equipped with a personal panic alarm device or software. Known by various names such as duress alarm, emergency signal, SOS alert and a personal panic button, these devices are designed to be triggered by a lone worker in the event of an emergency or an impending crisis. The trigger sends a distress call to designated monitors (managers, group managers or even a live monitoring station) who are able to follow a response plan for the employee and dispatch assistance if needed. With the option of GPS location tracking, a lone worker can also provide responders with their exact location.

The use of a panic button can be particularly beneficial for those who are vulnerable to attack or assault such as retail workers, housekeepers working alone in hotel rooms and healthcare and social service professionals. With reports of harassment and violence against hospitality workers surfacing, equipping lone workers with access to a personal safety device could make all the difference in the event of an emergency.

3. A Lone Worker Was Attacked While Traveling

Healthcare and social service workers, child welfare professionals, hotel staff and others often find themselves working alone in potentially dangerous environments. Lone worker panic buttons can help keep employees safe and provide them with a way to contact for assistance quickly in the event of an incident.

Many lone worker panic devices offer GPS functionality to allow the device to send emergency alerts along with the user’s GPS location to an ARC (automated response centre). The ARC can instantly locate the device, talk to the lone worker and follow their escalation procedure as outlined in their plan of action.

Discreet lone worker panic buttons are also available that can be activated discreetly so as not to alert a potential attacker. These can be used by hotel employees and retail lone workers, for example behind desks in betting shops or jewellery stores.

Although lone worker safety devices and software are becoming increasingly popular, many employers are confused about whether or not they have legal obligations to implement them for their employees. The short answer is no – there is no nationwide Occupational Safety and Health Act standard that requires companies to provide their employees with a lone worker panic button. However, OSHA citations and guidance documents frequently refer to lone worker devices as one way for businesses to protect their employees.

4. A Lone Worker Was Injured While Working

Lone workers are often unable to call for help when they face a difficult or dangerous situation on their own. It’s an employer’s duty of care to implement procedures that ensure their employees can contact help in these situations. A lone worker panic button is an ideal tool for this purpose.

While a panic button may not prevent all incidents, they can give lone workers the opportunity to seek assistance if they feel threatened, attacked or injured. Many states, cities and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have laws that require employers to provide lone workers with panic buttons or similar devices in specific industries.

In addition to a standard panic button, some lone worker alarms also have other functions that can help keep your employees safe. A duress alarm can be triggered by entering a fake PIN, for example, and a man-down alarm can be triggered automatically if the device senses that the employee has collapsed or been knocked unconscious.

Lone Worker Personal Alarm These features are available with some of the best lone worker alarms from Response Technologies, including our flagship device, ROAR. Our online management portal, ConnectMe, allows managers to view live alerts of their lone workers and respond as needed. This is a great way to show your lone working staff that they are always in control of their safety and that their employer values their wellbeing.