Lone Worker Protection Devices – PASS

In France – as in many European countries – there is a well-defined legal framework requiring employers to equip their employees working alone with alarm and protection devices for lone workers, thus subjecting them to a consequence obligation in terms of personnel safety. This is the labor law. It is the decree numbered 92-158 dated February 20, 1992.

Many professions are covered by lone worker protection. For example, Workers in tight spaces , drinking water treatment and sanitation professionals, certain freelancers or professionals working the night shift. Lone workers can be found in a wide range of activity sectors, where employers are required to provide a PASS (Personal Alert Security System) and the choice of device is made according to the activity and its characteristics.

PASS (personal alert security system) is a system where one (or more) employees cannot be “seen or heard” by others. One It is a device used on the ground that has the ability to give or transmit an alert in emergency situations to alert rescue services. These warning devices usually have 2 types of alarms: 

• User discomfort, minor injury, attempted attack, etc. manual or optional alarm triggered to call for help in situations; 
• Loss of verticality (fall), sudden increase in temperature (in case of fire or explosion), immobility, removal of the device, etc. Automatic alarm activated in certain situations. 

Various versions of PASS are available. From the simple sound and light alarm device to more advanced versions with alarm reporting on the control receiver and GPS geolocation for more accurate identification of situations at risk. 

Today, manufacturers are developing real-time geolocated PASS that can communicate wirelessly over a 2G or 3G connection and transmit alerts to an online platform within a company or organization and to dedicated centers for alert management to provide 24/7 assistance anywhere in the world.

In France, Article L4121-1 of the Labor Code regulates the employer's obligations regarding the protection of lone workers. In many countries, clear regulations have been established to ensure a certain level of safety for people working alone or in harsh environments, especially by equipping lone workers with PASS devices.