Personal Safety Devices for Lone Workers: A Guide

What are Personal Safety Devices for Lone Workers?

Personal safety devices are portable or wearable tools that help protect lone workers and give them an additional layer of security when working alone, in isolation, or in remote areas. These devices can include a range of features, such as panic alarms, check-in systems, GPS tracking, and communication tools. They also enable organizations to monitor, manage, and report on workers’ locations, activities, and well-being in real time

Types of Personal Lone Worker Safety Devices

There are three main types of personal safety devices to consider for lone workers, each tailored to different risk levels, work environments, and escalation needs. These are the following:

• Lone worker safety apps: These are digital mobile-friendly tools that include features such as panic alarms, automated check-ins, overtime alerts, and GPS tracking that  can also integrate with Bluetooth or satellite devices, with data being centralized in one dashboard. These are ideal for workers who are mobile, like delivery drivers, social workers, or real estate agents.

• Bluetooth devices: These include wearable panic buttons or personal alarms such as wristbands and lanyards for quick, discreet panic activation while some can support check-ins and timer extensions. Typically used by security guards, maintenance staff, commercial cleaners, and other lone workers in networked areas, hese devices are best used alongside a broader lone-worker platform so managers and supervtisors can see location and activity data.

• Handheld satellite devices: These operate in remote areas without mobile coverage to send panic alerts, share location, and enable one-on-one messaging between worker and manager. Generally utilized by lone workers in off-grid environments in industries such as agriculture, forestry, and utilities, these are the most expensive option and are most effective when integrated into a comprehensive lone worker system or with a lone worker safety app.

Importance

Comprehensive personal safety solutions can offer various benefits for both employers and employees, providing immediate means for lone employees to alert their managers and get help in emergencies. Epworth HealthCare, Victoria’s largest not-for-profit private hospital group, explained that the Lone Worker feature on their safety solution enables staff to “utilize an existing device while also offering a quick panic option—eliminating the need to unlock a phone during an emergency.” According to Jeremy Bucksmaster, a manager at Epworth, “As a manager, I find it much easier to track the productivity and safety of my employees when they are working in the community.”

These solutions also assist with:

• Increasing employee safety: Help mitigate common lone-worker risks by enabling workers to quickly activate duress and receive timely assistance. These risks include violence in the workplace, stress and mental health concerns, medical suitability to work alone, and environmental hazards.

• Complying with government requirements: Meet legal obligations under workplace health and safety laws by demonstrating proactive risk management and duty of care. By documenting check-ins, emergency responses, and incident reporting, these devices  promote compliance with lone-worker protection standards, ensuring businesses can provide verifiable records during audits or investigations.

• Simplifying lone worker management: Centralize lone worker management and data in one dashboard with real‑time status and location awareness. Utilizing personal safety devices for lone workers helps  automate check‑ins and escalations, enables instant mass notifications, and provides robust analytics to improve response times and accountability between management and lone employees.

Key Features to Look Out For

Here are the key features to prioritize when evaluating personal safety devices for lone workers:

• Panic or duress alarms: It’s essential for lone workers to have access to panic or duress alarms in their personal safety devices at all times. These should be easy to trigger in one touch and discreet so it’s accessible in times of emergency.

• Man‑down systems: Having a built-in man down detection system in a personal safety device can be a great help for lone workers. These can detect inactivity or lack of movement automatically to raise an alert when a worker becomes incapacitated, guaranteeing help arrives even if they cannot manually press their panic or duress alarms.

• 24/7 professional monitoring: Personal safety devices should support optional 24/7 professional monitoring or Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) integration. This helps verify alarms, coordinate emergency responses, and ensure constant protection even when internal coverage is limited.

• Wearable or Bluetooth button integrations: Opt for personal safety devices that seamlessly integrate with wearables or Bluetooth buttons. This gives lone workers the ability to trigger alerts quickly and discreetly, regardless of where their phone is located.

• Two‑way communication: Personal safety devices should support two-way communication whether through voice, text, or push-to-talk. Two-way communication is essential for lone workers to enable quick incident verification and coordinated assistance.

• Coverage and connectivity: Choose personal safety devices that ensure reliable operation and communication at all times. Look for those that offer connectivity beyond cellular like satellite integration or multi-network options to maintain protection in remote or low-signal areas.