Imagine this: A lone worker is miles from the nearest town, inspecting a remote pipeline. Suddenly, they slip and injure themselves badly. They're alone, in pain, and unable to move easily. In that critical moment, when every second counts, they need more than just a phone–they need real-time connection to help.
They need a panic button that can be activated quickly and with minimal movement. A well-designed panic button can be worn in an accessible way, such as on a wristband or pendant, allowing the worker to trigger an alert without fumbling or repositioning themselves.
In this blog, we'll explore how modern panic button systems are transforming workplace safety for lone and at-risk workers, and show you how to choose the right solution for your team.
A panic button is a digital or physical device that allows workers to discreetly and quickly send an emergency alert signal to designated responders, typically supervisors or monitoring services. Think of it as a lifeline in situations where workers may be vulnerable or isolated, providing immediate access to assistance in case of accidents, injuries, threats, or any other emergency.
Panic buttons come in various forms, each designed to keep lone workers safe in different situations. These devices are typically simple, one-button tools that can be integrated into wearable accessories like pendants, wristbands, or key fobs. They are designed for quick activation, providing hands-free access in emergencies with just one press.
Some panic buttons are built specifically for harsh or remote environments, offering long battery life, rugged construction, and reliable connectivity, even when traditional cellular networks are unavailable. Regardless of the design, these physical panic buttons are made to ensure workers can instantly call for help, providing a fast and efficient safety solution when it matters.
A panic button can empower any individual to take control of their safety. Specifically, when thinking of panic buttons in the workplace, workers who are often alone or exposed to unpredictable and fast-changing environments can be extremely beneficial, as it can give people quick and effective access to help.
Lone workers: Employees who work alone or in remote locations, such as oil and gas workers, field technicians, and utility workers, are particularly vulnerable due to the lack of immediate assistance in case of an emergency. If an accident occurs, there may be no one nearby to provide help, making it crucial for these workers to have a direct line to emergency services. A panic button provides a lifeline in case of an accident, even during late-night shifts or in fast-changing environments.
Workers in high-risk areas: Individuals working in hazardous environments like construction sites, manufacturing plants, chemical facilities, or areas with limited cell phone coverage greatly benefit from the immediate communication a panic button offers. Many of these workers often have their hands occupied carrying heavy equipment or handling dangerous substances, and they may even need to wear gloves. A simple, easy-to-use panic button allows them to call for help quickly without the need to type a number on a phone or navigate an app, making it a much more practical safety solution.
Healthcare professionals: For social workers, home healthcare providers, occupational therapists, nurse practitioners, patient transportation staff, lab technicians, and others conducting frequent patient visits, it’s not as easy to pull out their phones and dial 911 or log in an app when facing a verbally or physically violent person. Reaching for their device to press a single button–whether hanging from their necks or belt loop, or in their pockets–takes less than a second, yet offers the same or more support as any other request for help.
Retail employees: Working late nights or in secluded areas of a retail store can leave workers vulnerable, especially in settings like local convenience stores or gas stations where a single employee is exposed to dozens of people daily. These workers often handle cash, making them particularly vulnerable to robbery or other dangerous encounters. A discreet panic button allows them to instantly alert authorities, potentially preventing or minimizing a dangerous encounter.
Immediate emergency response: Panic buttons are incredibly simple to use, making them ideal for high-stress situations. They provide a highly effective way to connect with emergency services without requiring multiple steps. Being a one-button device means there is no fuss—once the button is pressed, workers are able to access help.
Enhanced worker confidence: Having a reliable panic button system shows your commitment to worker safety, helping attract and retain talent while boosting workplace morale. When workers know help is just one touch away, they can confidently focus on their tasks.
Regulatory compliance: Many industries have safety regulations mandating the use of panic buttons or similar emergency alert systems. In fact, New York’s Retail Worker Safety Act of 2024 requires companies with more than 500 retail employees to provide employees with panic buttons. Aware360 provides the perfect solutions for compliance safety and workers security.
Streamlined emergency protocols: Modern panic button systems integrate with existing safety procedures, automatically triggering established response protocols and providing real-time location data to emergency responders. Holistic and people-centric emergency protocols save time during critical situations.
Preventing workplace violence: A visible panic button system can act as a deterrent to potential aggressors and contribute to a comprehensive safety culture. They also provide valuable data for risk assessment and safety program improvement.
At the core of what we do stands our mission to provide help, exactly when and where it’s needed. Our solutions feature reliable options for panic buttons, like the Belle X and the ActiveHalo device. These simple, intuitive designs ensure effortless operation, while advanced features, such as GPS tracking and two-way communication.
The Belle X is a wearable safety device, originally designed as a fall detection device. This means that if a worker experiences a fall, the Belle X will automatically trigger an emergency alert, even if they are unconscious or unable to call for help themselves. This is a critical feature for lone workers, as falls are a leading cause of injury and death in the workplace.
In addition to fall detection, the Belle X also offers a variety of other safety features, including:
SOS alerts: Workers can manually trigger an SOS alert by pressing the Belle X's panic button.
Two-way communication: The Belle X allows for two-way communication between workers and responders, enabling real-time guidance and support. This feature provides critical information exchange that helps responders assess the situation accurately and deliver appropriate assistance. This direct line of communication reduces stress and provides reassurance, knowing that a companion is just a button press away.
GPS monitoring: The Belle X is equipped with GPS technology, allowing responders to monitor the worker's location in real-time. As soon as an alert is emitted, responders know exactly where your workers are, without needing them to spend time explaining their location. Immediate visibility helps ensure that help is dispatched quickly and accurately.
Waterproof and dustproof: The Belle X is waterproof and dustproof, making it suitable for use in work environments such as construction sites, outdoor fieldwork, and industrial facilities where exposure to dust, dirt, or water is common.
Long battery life: The Belle X has a long battery life lasting 1-2 weeks depending on usage, so workers can be confident that it will be operational when they need it most.
AlertGPS ActiveHalo® is a standalone safety device that empowers lone and mobile workers. Like other solutions, it includes critical core features such as one-touch SOS, advanced fall detection, GPS tracking, and two-way communication. These features make it easy for workers to quickly connect with help, provide responders with precise location data, and maintain real-time communication during emergencies—all essential to worker safety.
What truly sets ActiveHalo® apart are its advanced, proactive safety capabilities:
Companion mode: Designed to give workers real-time support and a sense of security, knowing that someone is always actively monitoring their safety.
Audible personal alarms: A built-in alarm that can emit a loud sound when activated, helping deter potential aggressors. This feature provides workers with immediate protection and adds another layer of visible security, empowering them to take control in threatening situations.
Threat zones: ActiveHalo® helps workers stay safe by identifying high-risk areas in advance. It can alert users when entering dangerous zones, enabling them to make informed decisions to avoid potential threats, rather than reacting after the fact.
Explore Aware360's panic button solutions with various network connectivity options, including 4G, satellite, WiFi, and Bluetooth devices.
While there are other panic button solutions available, understanding what sets Aware360’s offerings apart can help you make the best choice for worker safety. Below are a few notable options and how Aware360’s solutions provide an enhanced level of support for lone workers.
EcoOnline’s (previously StaySafe) lone worker panic button offers GPS tracking and durable hardware for harsh environments, making it reliable for employees working in challenging conditions. However, it lacks two-way communication—a crucial feature of Aware360’s solutions that enables real-time guidance and feedback, ensuring workers can provide essential context into their situation.
The SolusGuard wearable panic button provides GPS tracking and rapid alerts to responders, ensuring quick action in emergencies. SolusGuard does not include fall detection, which is vital for lone workers who may be unable to manually trigger an alert if they fall. Aware360's Belle X and ActiveHalo® devices feature automatic fall detection, ensuring help is always at hand, even if workers are unable to reach their device or press the panic button.
Selecting the right panic button system requires careful consideration of your business's unique needs. Ask the following questions when choosing the best panic button system for your organization:
Coverage requirements
Do your workers operate within cellular range? Will they require additional connectivity options, like satellite? Are there dead zones in your working areas?
Environmental conditions
Will the devices need to withstand extreme temperatures, water, or dust? Do workers wear protective equipment that might affect device operation, such as gloves or masks?
Integration capabilities
Do you already have an EHS solution in place? Can the solution integrate with your existing safety systems? What reporting capabilities do you need?
Employee usage
How many employees do you need to equip with a panic button? Is the system easy to use? Can devices be easily transferred across users, in case of employee churn?
Existing resources
What’s the learning curve to use the panic button? Do you have the time and the training resources to ensure workers are using their panic buttons as efficiently as possible?
Response protocol
Do you need 24/7 professional monitoring or self-monitoring capabilities? Do you need custom escalation plans?
Scalability
Can the system grow with your organization? What ongoing support and training are available?
When worker safety is on the line, choosing the right panic button solution matters. Take advantage of available product demonstrations to see these systems in action, understand their features firsthand, and ask critical questions about reliability, response protocols, and integration capabilities. This hands-on evaluation ensures you select a solution that not only meets your safety requirements and compliance needs, but also provides an excellent opportunity to explore the features and ask any questions.
If you're eager to provide your lone workers with panic button systems, we invite you to explore Aware360 further. Reach out to us today to discover how these devices can seamlessly integrate into your safety protocols, ensuring that every worker is supported, no matter where their work takes them.
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