Testing and Certification of Lone Worker Panic Buttons

Lone workers in healthcare and hospitality are at a high risk for violence. These workers frequently use devices that help them to signal for help.

Although Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance and citations suggest that employers should provide lone worker panic buttons, there is no nationwide requirement for these devices.

Certification

Lone workers face unique dangers and are often not visible to colleagues or other staff. To protect them, companies can implement a number of safety solutions including panic buttons and RTLS technology.

Many countries have laws requiring employers to ensure employee health and safety. While these vary from country to country, most require organizations to carry out a risk assessment and take all reasonable precautions to protect employees. This includes implementing a policy on the use of panic buttons.

A panic button is a simple and effective tool for protecting lone workers. Combined with a robust employee safety plan, these devices help reduce the risk of workplace violence and increase worker confidence.

Most lone worker alarms function by alerting security personnel or colleagues to an emergency situation. They may also offer GPS location capabilities. This helps responders find the lone worker quickly, even in remote or isolated locations. They can also send out overtime or alerts if the lone worker hasn’t checked in within an agreed timeframe.

Requirements

A portable panic button is one of the simplest ways for employees to alert others of their safety concerns. While they’re not a substitute for risk assessments and training, the use of these devices can help to reduce workplace violence.





The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to provide workers with safe places of employment. Though not a requirement, OSHA often recommends panic buttons and other personal alarm systems for employees who might be at risk of assault or attack on the job.

When selecting a device for your staff, think about their specific needs and the environment in which they work. A wireless healthcare panic button, for example, can be worn covertly and operates independently of a smartphone. Unlike apps that require WIFI or cellular service to work, these lone worker alarm systems can operate in remote locations with low signal. Ensure that your chosen device provides reliable functionality in emergency situations, such as sending an employee’s GPS location to first responders or colleagues immediately on request.

Testing

Whether your employees work as realtors showing open homes, health nurses visiting patients in their homes or utility workers on dangerous or remote jobsites, your lone worker safety solution needs to be simple and easy-to-use. Look for devices with features like a man-down/fall detection, auto check-ins, and GPS tracking that uses a self-healing network to avoid dead spots.

Lone workers face unique challenges due to their secluded working environments. In the United States, lone workers include healthcare and social service workers, child welfare staff, home care providers, hotel employees and more.

lone worker safety apps Many state and city governments have passed staff safety laws requiring employers to use a device with a panic button for their employees. Regardless of these specific laws, the OSH Act and OSHA guidelines recommend that employers provide a lone worker alarm system to their employees. Lone worker safety solutions like SHEQSY can also be proactive with preventative monitoring features like hazard reporting, staff check-ins and audits, location notes and more.

Reporting

Whether they are realtors showing open houses, healthcare workers visiting patients, or a security guard patrolling the premises, lone worker devices are an essential tool to help them avoid or respond to potential threats. Providing them with the confidence that they can call for assistance if a situation escalates, and knowing that their location will be automatically reported to law enforcement when either the panic button is pressed or the timed session expires helps meet employers’ duty of care.

personal alarm Look for a lone worker device with features like man-down/fall detection, auto check-ins and overtime alerts that turn into panic alarms (device dependent) if not responded to, or an automatic alarm in the event of tilt, non-movement, acceleration or impact. Some lone worker alarm systems, like SHEQSY by SafetyCulture, also allow users to leave a voice note and/or safety checklists and audits with each automated check-in that can help provide a fuller picture in the event of a man-down/fall or incapacitation alarm.