Alone an employee's status is often misunderstood. Despite this, lone workers represent 10% of workers today, some of whom are affected for a short or one-off period in their working lives.

It is essential to be aware of the risks and take the necessary precautions to prevent accidents, discomfort or aggression towards lone workers. The location of the person concerned makes it possible to trigger and organize quick assistance.

Lone worker protection: Definition

What is a lone worker? Labor law describes the situation in a risky area, far from any help, with no possibility of being visible or audible. Therefore, a person who is cut off from all human contact is considered an isolated worker.

Lone Worker Protection And PASS – Personal Alert Safety System PASS – Personal Alert Safety System

Lone Worker Protection System why ? It is a set of measures taken to protect an isolated employee. The company has a legal obligation to provide a protective solution adapted to each hazard an employee may encounter when out of sight and hearing.

PASS is a warning device! It is an integral part of the Lone Worker Protection System.

Functioning of the Personal Alert Security System

PASS has two basic functions:

Warning : When PASS detects a fall, device removal, immobilization, or the presence of toxic gas, it emits a buzzer signal, either manually or automatically by the employee. The responsible third party receives the signal and sends help in case of an alert.
Geolocation : For devices with location functionality, send the employee's location using GPS coordinates or data transmitted by a passing flare. It can also detect the employee's last location via login badges.

Applications related to the Lone Worker Protection PASS

Some sectors of activity are more concerned about lone worker device use than others:

Cleaning companies: Cleaning staff in companies often have to be on their own outside of working hours in the morning or evening.
Construction: Workers, maintenance personnel, craftsmen, technicians and site managers may be alone in a risky environment.
Hotels: Night watchman, maintenance worker, handyman, gardener and cleaner; They are people who work alone in the hotel without being seen or heard by anyone.
Courier, salesman, road carrier, dismantling worker: Whether short or long distance, they are all left with a single means of communication.
Home care: The presence of the person receiving home care is not taken into account because they may not have the capacity to call for help.
Farmers, foresters, gardeners: In the wild, they are often out of reach of other people.

What are the risks of someone working alone?

Regardless of the field of activity, the lone worker is always likely to encounter multiple hazards. Therefore, good Personal Protective Equipment To choose, it is necessary to identify all risks before placing a person in hazardous working conditions.

A comprehensive medical risk analysis is required. Existing medical conditions may effectively prevent the employee from performing their duties under these conditions. Moreover, in order to anticipate future problems, it is important to consider that the stress associated with isolation or any other psychological manifestation can lead to a more or less crippling state: symptoms of anxiety or anguish, dizziness, epileptic seizures or even heart problems.

physical risk It includes both verbal and physical abuse. It is essential to consider all possible situations the employee may encounter. Without a witness around, an individual will feel freer to act as he wishes and may engage in practices that could harm the lone worker. Domestic helpers, delivery workers, home repair workers and sales representatives are most affected by such risks.

Some people enjoy working alone, while others experience anxiety, thoughtlessness, abandonment, and frustration. Personal Protective Equipment can help prevent drift, such as drinking alcohol, at work. Because, psychological risks A regular meeting with the employee is recommended to determine whether .

Choosing the right Lone Worker Protection PASS

When a lone working situation is observed, the employer employee safety It is necessary to take various precautions. Therefore the most suitable Lone worker Personal Alert Security System select .

Change the organization to reduce the time the employee is isolated.
Examine the potential physical, psychological, and medical risks an isolated employee may face (see previous paragraph).
Adapt equipment and workstation.
Adapt equipment and workstation.
“Dead man” device, can detect the employee's abnormal position, immobility, or loss of verticality, or both (“smart” detection).
SOS button It is confidential and allows the employee to raise the alarm quickly. Jewelers, banks and small shops are often equipped with them.
Fall detector, It is triggered when the employee falls. It quickly turns off the pre-alarm if it is a wrong move or if the employee can return to work.
Involve employees in Lone Worker Device selection. As key players in wearing this protective device, they can identify risks based on the work area. Additionally, this gives them significant recognition.
Provide training to relevant staff on risk prevention, lone workers, members of the CSE (Social and Economic Committee) and those responsible for calling for help on how to use PASS correctly.

Besides the above-mentioned functionalities, choosing a good PASS for safe stand-alone operation depends on the environment and its features.

Different mobile devices carried by a single employee:

Smartphone: The most commonly used PASS. A simple Bluetooth connection allows instant detection of the isolated person's location. Locating a device or phone can also alert an employee to distress.
GSM phone : Takes the form of a mobile phone or smartphone. It provides different emergency alerts by detecting danger or inactivity (dead man device for isolated workers). The GSM network allows sending signals from the SIM card to a relay antenna. Since the response is very approximate, an external GPS must be added to this geolocation system.
Connected clock: Sends alarm in case of workplace aggression
Radio : Radio solution to report and explain the situation
Lone Worker Protection App : By connecting to a GSM phone or connected watch, it ensures security by immobilizing the victim and informing him of his location.
DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) phone: same principle as cordless phone. It has special functions for the protection of a lone worker, transmits an alarm and adjusts the position of the worker.
ATEX Lone Worker Protection System : ATEX is a warning device specially designed for explosive areas.

Organizing the implementation of the Personal Alert Security System

In order to distribute aid quickly and effectively, it is essential to define some elements: target, elimination of doubt, geographical location, risks, means of access, persons responding, rescue.

The employer must check the correct use of the protection device throughout the year and ensure that it is in working order at all times.

Lone Worker Protection PASS Its installation is a must as soon as the situation of an isolated employee is identified. This system requires strict regulations for employee protection that the employer must comply with. He is obliged to protect his employees and must take the necessary precautions when he detects dangerous tasks within the company. While tracking the location of lone workers in real time may seem restrictive and misinterpreted, it allows help to be deployed quickly if an accident, attack, or illness occurs.