Lone worker protection
In many countries around the world there is a well-defined legal framework that compels employers to equip their employees working alone with warning and protection devices for lone workers, thus subjecting them to staff safety obligations.
Many professions fall into the lone worker category. Examples include confined and / or isolated areas, sanitation professionals, freelance workers, night shift workers, and so on. There are lone workers in a wide variety of industries. The equipment of these individuals with a personal alert safety system (PASS) for lone workers is often mandatory and selection of the device will be based on the worker’s activity and its specificities.
Personal alert safety systems for lone worker protection
A PASS (personal alert safety system), more commonly known as a lone worker protection device, or man down signal is a device used by one (or more) "out of sight" workers. This type of alert system often has two alarm types:
- A manual or voluntary alarm, triggered by the carrier to request help in case of minor injury, attempted assault, etc.
- An automatic alarm, triggered in case of verticality loss, sudden temperature (fire, explosion), no movement, tearing, etc.
Several versions of personal alert safety systems are available, from the simple audible and visual alarm to the more advanced devices with alarm report on a receiver and GPS localization for immediate assistance intervention... Today manufacturers develop GPS tracked PASS, able to communicate wirelessly over 2G or 3G network, and able to transmit alerts to an online live platform (internal to a company or organization) and to dedicated alert management call centers available 24/7 worldwide.
These new generation PASS devices are found in many industries and applications, such as confined space entry and in the field of water & wastewater treatment.
PASS lone worker protection regulation
In many countries the Labor Code governs employers’ obligations regarding lone worker protection. Clear regulations are in place to ensure good safety level for people working alone or in difficult environments, by providing them with PASS devices for isolated workers.
Learn more on lone worker protection regulations.