Whether it’s healthcare professionals, cleaners, office assistants, or shop workers, employees who work alone (even for a short duration) need robust safety measures in place. This is where lone worker devices and systems come into play. A lone working app is a digital tool designed to enhance the safety and security of individuals who work alone. And means that supervisors don’t have to continue to monitor or manually check up on staff. The solutions typically provide features such as real-time location tracking, check-in/check-out functions, emergency alerts, and communication capabilities. To ensure lone workers can keep supervisors informed and up to speed with what going on. There are many options available and like with anything when you have a choice, it can get confusing what to look out for. Do you know what to consider when choosing a lone worker system?
We’ve provided a guide of questions that you should consider asking when considering a lone worker system. By asking these, you are ensuring that you have all the information when committing to the safety, security, and peace of mind for your lone workers and your business.
Selecting a lone worker safety solution is about more than opting for the newest technology or the most expensive. It’s crucial to grasp the specific requirements of your lone workers, the conditions they work under, and your preferred method for managing the solution.
Below are the key questions and our answers, for what to consider when choosing a lone worker system. We hope this will help you to scope your needs when choosing a lone worker system.
1 – How accurate is the system for indoors and outdoors?
The MyTeamSafe App is a versatile solution, utilising GPS and phone capabilities, ensuring that workers can be located and assisted regardless of their location (see question 4). We optimise our system, to constantly check if a more accurate location has been received. This maintains functionality across various environments, including rural and indoor settings. If there’s no data or internet connection, lone workers can still use MyTeamSafe via SMS (Text). Our solution is designed to work efficiently even in low-signal areas.
You can only improve on this accuracy if you use specialist hardware.
2 – Does the system require a company mobile?
Our app-based solution can be used on any mobile phone, making it easy to integrate into your lone worker’s existing mobile setup. Without the need for additional hardware. We work hard to ensure we cover the widest range of devices, that Google & Apple allow. We want to be as inclusive as possible and not just provide a system for those with the newest phone. There is also a Windows version that is ideal for those who mainly work from home.
3 – Do you always ‘log’ the movements of staff?
Our system is designed strictly for safety, not for monitoring employees’ movements for other purposes. We can ONLY track users when they are in an ‘Active’ session during their work hours. We understand the importance of simplicity and make this very easy. The app will warn the user if any of the settings are not correct – highlighting the system is operating at a degraded level
4 – How will an alert be responded to?
Initially, your lone worker will be prompted when they need to check in. Typically, there is then a grace period, with several further nudges. Then a supervisor or buddy within your company/organisation will be notified by an Alert, when a staff member doesn’t check in at the designated duration. You can choose how the Supervisor is contacted and what information they are provided. The Supervisor can simply respond with the information that has been automatically provided, check on the Web dashboard, or simply look on the App.
5 – What happens if the alert recipient is unavailable?
Our system supports multiple layers of notification. Ensuring that if the primary contact is unavailable, secondary contacts are alerted. We also have a cleaver “Deputy” system, so if the main supervisor marks themselves as absent, the system automatically switches to the Deputy.
6 – Can staff raise an alarm if they are in trouble?
We have a panic button from within the App. This can be used for serious scenarios. Such as accidents or for when a lone worker feels that they are in a vulnerable or unsafe situation. This helps your supervisor to act quickly in these situations. Providing a layer of concealed protection.
7 – Is it possible to get user reports?
Administrators of our system get detailed reporting features, allowing for oversight and ensuring that the system is used correctly and effectively by their lone workers. There is a ‘Company’, ‘Team’, and ‘User’ overview which shows usage information and protection hours. There is also detailed ‘User’ information showing all interactions with the system and location “breadcrumbs”
8 – Does MyTeamSafe use ARC?
No. Intentionally, MyTeamSafe does not use an Alarm Receiving Centre, where the alarms are received and monitored. Our ethos and positive feedback of many years is “Keeping it in-house” means workers are much happier knowing that someone they know is looking out for them. Internal staff are also more likely to know the situation and make better and more timely decisions. We agree that ARCs are critical if staff are in constant threat of danger, where emergency services need to be regularly called. However, the ARC operator can only follow the defined protocol. Feedback testifies, often information is vague, if the incident isn’t clear and requires emergency response you will still be contacted to resolve the situation. ARCs rarely know the lone worker or the organisation, you do!
MyTeamSafe’s focus on flexible design means you have the freedom to simply meet your needs, cost-effectively. You can define different check-in strategies to meet different roles or scenarios. You control who’s contacted, when, and how.
BS8484 was evolved to ensure ARC providers operate to the highest of standards, preventing false alarms going to the emergency services.
9 – Does MyTeamSafe offer 2-way communication?
No. Again, intentionally, we do not offer this. Why overcomplicate the App or provide something that may not work in all environments? Voice communications require stable connections and can be data-heavy, so why reinvent the wheel? The lone worker has a mobile phone – this can be called, or they can call out. By not providing 2-way communication within the app, we are precluded from getting BS8484.
We offer a ‘NOTES’ function in the system. It’s not a panic, but something that would be good to keep someone informed about. When the lone worker is in an ‘ACTIVE’ session, they can leave a note and select the button that reflects the note urgency.
- URGENT will send an SMS and email to the supervisor.
- WARNING will email the supervisor.
- NORMAL will send a passive dashboard note within the dashboard and will be viewable by administrators.
10 – How much time and money will this cost my company/organisation?
In addition to a FREE one-month trial of ALL the features, we can provide a FREE set-up service which includes adding users and strategies, so that busy companies/organisations can get on with what they do best. We provide ongoing training and support if needed too, however, we are confident that you will find our App and admin system intuitive and easy to use. Our price list is available on our website.
There are no hidden charges, and you manage the system and users. There’s also a 50% 3-month discount for registered Charities.
At MyTeamSafe, we believe you need to consider when choosing a lone worker system that it results in every lone worker feeling safe and supported. Our App is designed to provide peace of mind by addressing all aspects of lone worker safety comprehensively. We ensure that our solution not only meets industry requirements but also provides a robust and user-friendly experience for all users. Whether you’re looking to enhance your current safety measures or implement a new system, MyTeamSafe is here to support you every step of the way.
For more information or to schedule a demonstration, contact us today and take the first step toward ensuring the safety and security of your lone workers. By choosing MyTeamSafe, you are choosing a commitment to safety, security, and peace of mind for your lone workers. Protecting staff and your business every day.
MyTeamSafe® is an award-winning lone-worker App & proud supporter of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust