Safeguards personnel working alone
July 1st 2006 Those who work alone should be at no greater risk than any other employee, and precautions should be put in place to account for normal work and emergencies such as illness, accidents and workplace violence.
Employers should identify potential risks, such as: - Does the workplace present a special risk to the lone worker?
- Is there a risk of violence?
- Are female staff especially at risk?
- Can the lone worker summon help in the event of an emergency?
Increasing health and safety legislation is placing considerable pressure on employers who may be tempted to provide a quick fix in the form of a mobile phone. However, should a lone worker find himself in a dangerous situation and attempt to use a mobile phone to summon help, he may find the aggressor becoming even more agitated which could exacerbate the situation and lead to aggression and even violence.
Similarly, if a lone worker is incapacitated and unable to reach a phone, he will be unable to summon help.
Identicom from Connexion2 looks like a normal ID holder, but is equipped with mobile phone technology. It not only enables the wearer to raise an alarm if threatened, but lets a third party listen to what is happening, whatever the distance, and summon help in an emergency.
The device can also support the pinpointing of a worker's location using GSM/LBS technology.
A lanyard attachment allows the holder to be worn around the neck as a standard ID and hides a 'rip alarm' function, which is triggered if the unit is forcibly removed from the wearer. Identicom is flexible enough to be configured in a number of ways, thereby allowing an employer to adopt the device without the need to significantly change or alter current working practices. | 
