Man Down Safety Alarms For Lone Workers
Many lone workers have dangerous jobs that could put their lives in danger without immediate help. Man down alarms work to reduce the chance of a worker being injured in an emergency situation and being unable to call for assistance.
A digital alert is sent from the lone worker device when it detects movement or lack of movement, triggered by its own pre-set man down settings. It is then relayed to a designated contact, ideally an ARC (Alarm Receiving Centre).
Safety Training
When configured to the correct settings, man down will allow the device to detect when a worker is incapacitated and automatically launch an alert. This feature is best used when staff have been trained on how to use the device correctly and understand its limitations.
Whether it’s a simple slip or a more serious fall, accidents can occur when working alone and these incidents can be life threatening. Having the capability to trigger an alarm and communicate with dispatch means medical care is on the way sooner and the individual can be saved from further harm.
For those workers who are required to work at height, a personal fall alarm can also help protect them from serious injury. This is especially true for emergency services and painters/decorators who may require the use of a ladder for their work.
lone worker device While these industries may have higher rates of workplace fatalities, every business should consider investing in a lone worker device that has the ability to send a Man down alarm. These devices are configured to detect a variety of conditions including free fall and impact, ensuring that the right type of emergency response is initiated. The real-time monitoring capabilities of these devices can also reduce stress levels by providing remote workers with the reassurance that their colleagues are aware of their location and are available to help.
Alarm Programming
Slipping, tripping or falling is the biggest cause of accidents for employees working alone. These incidents are made even more dangerous if the worker is incapacitated and cannot call for help. The alarm function of Man down systems removes this risk and enables a response team to be alerted as soon as an incident is detected.
The device is worn around the neck and uses a motion sensor to detect movement. If the device does not detect movement or is in a vertical position for an optimum period of time, an alert is sent to designated contacts via SMS. Some devices also use a loud, attention grabbing ear-piercing 110+ dB alarm to attract the attention of individuals nearby. This alarm is ideal for individuals who work in client homes, building sites and warehouses where they may be working unsupervised.
Using MOTOTRBO mobile radios, Teldio’s Man Down Notifier (MDN) works with the radio’s integrated motion sensor. When enabled, MDN automatically sends an alarm if a radio is not moving for a programmable amount of time or has a horizontal tilt. MDN is configurable to align with organizational procedures and can be combined with other lone worker safety features like GPS to provide the fastest possible response to an incident. This can help ensure that medical care arrives on the scene of a medical emergency before any further harm can occur.
Tilt Timer
If an employee is in a dangerous position, whether they’re falling or suffering from a medical condition such as epilepsy, a Man down alarm can send their exact location to the dispatch team. This allows them to be sent help quickly.
Some lone worker devices do not include the Man down function as standard, leaving them vulnerable to serious health and safety incidents like falls and unconsciousness. Using the right programming, paired with user training, and backed up by services like GPS tracking, you can ensure your remote workers are getting help fast.
Most Man down systems use an accelerometer or a combination of sensors to detect movement or non-movement. These can be triggered by a hard fall, or in some cases by the employee manually activating a check in feature. The device will then call their emergency contact and the dispatch center to tell them they require assistance.
Some lone worker devices can also monitor for soft falls or other conditions such as a heart attack or head injury. They may activate a 'check in' feature to allow the employee to verify they are okay, which reduces false alarms and unnecessary call outs by dispatch teams. In some devices, like Blackline's Loner devices, this can also be done by pressing a button on the device to cancel a pending alarm.
False Alarms
Lone workers face many safety risks, from slips and falls to exposure to toxic gases or electricity. These hazards are often unavoidable and it can be difficult for lone workers to reach their colleagues for help, especially if they are incapacitated. Having a Man down security solution can provide reassurance for vulnerable employees and help ensure that they are able to get the assistance they need quickly.
Man down technology is not a replacement for proper safety procedures and training but can be a valuable addition to existing solutions. Lone worker devices with the man down feature can be configured to work in alignment with your organisational procedures and work team environments and when combined with other lone worker features like Location Services or Lone Worker can provide a complete safety solution for your lone workers.
When the lone worker device detects no movement for the pre-programmable time or the device is resting at a greater angle than the defined threshold it will enter a warning state and emit a brief beep. If the worker presses a key or is rescued during this period the radio will revert to its normal state. If the worker is unconscious or injured, the alarm will be activated and the lone worker device will send an emergency call to the ARC (if a call was not already sent). The TP8100 series of hand portables support a number of different man down settings which can be configured according to your requirements.
