Lone Worker to improve safety for isolated workers

Navman Wireless launches Lone Worker to improve safety and communications for isolated workers

New solution allows lone workers in isolated areas to stay in constant contact with two way communication capabilities

Auckland, 11 November 2014 – Navman Wireless, a global leader in GPS fleet management has announced the launch of the new Navman Wireless Lone Worker solution in New Zealand and Australia. Developed from the ground up by Navman Wireless, Lone Worker helps address the safety needs of workers in remote regions on New Zealand’s farms, forests and conservation estates. The two-way communication device remotely connects workers to their managers via mobile networks or the Iridium satellite communication network.

Lone workers often face harsh and high-risk conditions working with at-risk patients, on electricity lines, in rugged terrain or remote forestry environments where they have limited or no access to cellular communications networks. The Lone Worker enables on-duty workers in remote areas to check-in with their managers or signal for help if needed, providing an extra layer of safety.

Navman Wireless Lone Worker includes a small, lightweight pendant that workers carry at all times, which connects back to their vehicle. It utilises the Navman Wireless tracking unit and satellite communications device to send notifications. Lone Worker enables workers to manually send high priority alerts, automatic man down alerts and low priority check-in confirmations. Its range is up to 500 metres with clear line of sight, but varies based on terrain. Should workers move so far that the pendant loses contact with the vehicle , the solution automatically sends an out-of-range alert to the pendant to notify the worker to return to a safe operational range or move the vehicle closer to their working location. After three alerts without any response, the Navman Wireless Lone Worker vehicle device will notify headquarters that the worker is out-of-range and could be at risk.

Another key feature of the Lone Worker is its two-way communication system. While most duress systems only allow one way communication, where workers send a distress message and have no confirmation whether it has been received, Lone Worker sends a confirmation signal when it has been received by the server.

“Navman Wireless identified a gap in the market in managing the safety of workers in remote locations,” says Ian Daniel, Vice President Asia Pacific at Navman Wireless. “For these workers, a minor mishap or sudden environmental change may easily lead to a life threatening situation, yet they usually work in areas that have no mobile phone reception or other means of communicating. This increases risk levels, particularly in situations which could require immediate attention, such as a fall or serious injury,”

“The Lone Worker sends out automated high priority alert notifications to the worker if, for example, it detects a fall or sudden movement which could indicate the worker has tripped, or a possible health issue and is unable to respond. If the worker does not respond within ten seconds, an alert will be sent to headquarters for immediate attention,” said Daniel.

Key features of the Lone Worker include:

• An additional layer of protection aligned with Work, Health and Safety legislation including duty of care for mobile workers and employers

• In-vehicle call/emergency button

• Two-way wireless communication with confirmation signal

• Automated high priority alert notification

• Manually activated high priority alert notification

• Out of range alert notification

• Manually activated worker check in

“The Lone Worker has been designed to revolutionise the level of remote communication, safety and care that can be provided to mobile workers in remote regions. It is the newest addition to Navman Wireless’ portfolio of products and solutions that help businesses adhere to workplace health and safety legislation and duty of care for mobile staff. We are proud to be taking this solution to market to help raise the safety of mobile workers across New Zealand,” said Daniel.

ends

© Scoop Media