Lone worker safety: know exactly where your staff are

Chris Potts looks at how to enhance lone worker safety as quickly as possible through the use of beacons, investing in a base station, and using push to talk technology

In today’s day and age, when lone workers sound the alarm for help, swift support is essential. Therefore, knowing exactly where that individual is can help a business’s response team locate them as quickly as possible, saving crucial time in an emergency.

Unfortunately, though, many lone worker solutions run off of GPS or GNSS location technology. And while these are effective when detailing a user’s location accurately on a mapping service, like Google Maps, they don’t always work well indoors. This is mainly because the signal to the satellite can be blocked by the floors or ceiling above and the lack of building granularity provided by the mapping service. As a result, the location provided can be the last-known position outside the premises, or a fix inside, which often lacks sufficient detail to be any use to a response team.

Therefore, more dependable technology is required, and businesses should be considering other location methods to fully enhance the safety of their teams when working indoors. 

Equipping the work environment with beacons

One way to ensure the safety of lone workers when they are indoors is to strategically place beacons throughout the site to serve as location markers.

These are effective tools due to the fact that whenever a worker walks past a beacon it automatically updates their handset with its position. The benefit of this is that in the event of an alert, the alarm message includes the location of the last beacon the worker passed, stored in their handset, providing more accurate location data. This information is then displayed on a site map for the response team to easily identify. Additionally, some solutions may also run a quick scan for the nearest beacon too in case there is a closer one that the user hasn’t reached.

Beacons come in different versions too: indoor, outdoor, ATEX as well as battery or mains powered. So, it’s essential for businesses to do their due diligence before investing in the technology to establish what is best for their needs. It’s also important to remember that the more beacons used, the more accurate the location is, and ultimately, the safer employees are. However, even with a small number they can reduce the search time for lone workers by indicating which building or floor the lone worker is located.

Investing in Base Station (WIFI and DECT) Location

Utilising private voice or data networks with DECT base stations or Access Points (both commonly referred to as base stations) can also provide indoor location information.

When an alarm is raised, handsets like DECT, smartphones, and VoWiFi can indicate the specific base station they are connected to, providing a general location of the user within approximately a 30-meter radius. This data can then be showcased on a site map to help the response team. 

While base stations may have a wider coverage area that can extend across multiple floors or external spaces, when combined with Beacons, they can enhance accuracy by narrowing down the search area to a particular floor or section of the building. This coupling of Beacon and Base Station technologies can significantly improve location accuracy in emergency situations. 

Using light and sound on lone worker devices

Some lone worker devices can emit a light and audible sound once a man-down alarm has been raised, making it easier for responders to locate their colleague in an emergency. When searching large areas quickly, individuals may be easily overlooked, especially if they’re lying low or concealed behind equipment or fixtures. However, the sound generated from the device can draw a responder’s attention once they’re in the vicinity, making them aware they’re nearby and prompting a thorough search. Additionally, the emitted light makes the worker more visible, further assisting in their quick rescue.     

Another option is to motivate users to get in the habit of detailing their location as and when they undertake a task alone. This works well for users that are in one or two locations each day. Apps like Atlas SOS streamline this process for users, making it effortless to input their task duration and location details on the timer screen. In the event of an alarm, responders receive the alarm message containing the user’s name, contact number, and precise location details.

Using push to talk technology

In times of need, responders can all work together to help locate their colleagues by using, either Radio or Cellular based, Push to Talk (PTT) technology, that allows them to communicate over a signal channel. PTT technology works well in emergency situations as it allows teams to designate tasks and provide updates all-on-the-go. Users simply push a button on their handset to broadcast their message to their team, who can respond in a similar manner. For instance, if a worker is hurt in an unknown location, this technology allows response teams the opportunity to spread out and check different areas simultaneously, whilst keeping each other updated so that they do not duplicate efforts or miss certain places. By working together effectively in a coordinated effort, they can help to save crucial time when locating a colleague.

Conclusion

Ensuring the safety of lone workers, particularly in indoor environments, requires a combination of advanced technologies and strategic planning. While GPS and GNSS have limitations indoors, alternative solutions like Beacons, Base Stations, and light or sound-emitting devices can significantly improve location accuracy and response times. Encouraging workers to input their location and utilising Push-to-Talk technology further enhances the effectiveness of emergency responses. By adopting these methods, businesses can better protect their lone workers, ensuring swift assistance and reducing risks in critical situations.

Chris Potts is Marketing Director at ANT Telecom.