Lone Worker Watches: Wearable Safety Solutions for Employees Who Work Alone

Employees who work alone face a range of workplace risks, from slips, trips, and falls to medical emergencies and threats of violence. Without coworkers nearby, getting help quickly can be difficult, especially for employees working in remote locations, visiting customers, or working outside regular business hours.

Wearable safety technology offers one way to address these challenges. From smartwatches with emergency features to dedicated lone worker safety devices, these tools can help employees call for assistance and give employers greater confidence that their teams are protected.

But not all wearable devices provide the same level of protection. Understanding the differences between consumer smartwatches and dedicated lone worker safety solutions can help employers choose the right option for their workforce.

What Are Lone Worker Wearable Devices?

Lone worker wearable devices are personal safety tools that employees can wear on their wrist, clothing, or around their neck. They are designed to help workers communicate an emergency, request assistance, or trigger an alert when they need help.

Depending on the device, features may include:

• Emergency alerts: A dedicated button or function that allows employees to signal when they need help.
• GPS location: Location information that can help responders identify where an employee is during an incident.
• Fall detection: Automatic alerts when a device detects a potential fall or sudden movement, depending on its capabilities.
• Two-way communication: The ability to communicate with a monitoring team or designated contact.
• Professional monitoring: A connection to trained operators who can assess an alert and initiate an appropriate response.
• Check-in features: Tools that help employees confirm their status or follow an established safety procedure.

The features available depend on the device and service. Employers should evaluate whether a wearable provides the functions their employees need and whether it offers sufficient support when an emergency occurs.

What Types of Wearable Safety Devices Are Available?

Wearable safety technology comes in several forms. The right choice depends on an employee's job responsibilities, work environment, and level of risk.

1. Smartwatches With Safety Features

Consumer smartwatches may offer emergency calling, SOS functions, location sharing, or fall detection, depending on the model.

These features can be useful for employees who need a convenient way to contact someone or share their location. However, capabilities vary, and some features depend on a compatible smartphone, cellular service, an active subscription, or specific device settings.

A consumer smartwatch may not connect to a professional monitoring center or provide the escalation procedures an organization needs. Employers should also consider whether employees can easily activate its emergency features while working.

2. Dedicated Lone Worker Safety Devices

Dedicated lone worker safety devices are designed specifically to help protect employees working alone or in higher-risk environments.

Rather than relying solely on a consumer smartwatch, these devices can provide dedicated emergency alert functions, location capabilities, and access to professional monitoring.

Depending on the model, additional features may include two-way communication and Man Down Alarm technology, which can detect a potential fall or incapacitation and initiate an alert.

Dedicated devices are particularly worth considering for employees who work in isolated areas, perform physical tasks, interact with the public, or face a greater risk of violence or injury.

3. Wearable Personal Safety Alarms

Personal safety alarms allow employees to raise an alert when they feel threatened or need assistance. Some are designed as small, discreet devices that can be worn on clothing or attached to a lanyard.

For employees who regularly visit customers, conduct inspections, or work alone in public-facing roles, discreet activation can be an important consideration.

A personal alarm's capabilities depend on whether it operates independently, connects to a phone, or forms part of a professionally monitored safety service.

4. Smartphone-Based Lone Worker Safety Apps

A lone worker safety app can turn a compatible smartphone into a personal safety tool. Depending on the solution, employees may be able to activate an emergency alert, share location information, and use check-in functions.

Some apps can also work with compatible Bluetooth accessories, such as a button that allows an employee to activate an alert without navigating their phone.

Apps can be a practical option for organizations with employees who already carry smartphones. However, employers should consider battery life, cellular coverage, phone accessibility, and whether the app meets the needs of employees working in higher-risk environments.

Smartwatches vs. Dedicated Lone Worker Safety Devices

Although smartwatches and dedicated safety devices may share some features, they serve different purposes.

The key difference is the response behind the alert. A device that sends an SOS or shares a location does not necessarily ensure that someone will assess the situation and arrange assistance.

For employers, the decision should consider the entire safety process, including how alerts are received, who responds, and what happens if an employee cannot call for help themselves.

What Should Employers Look for in a Lone Worker Wearable?

Choosing a wearable safety solution involves more than comparing devices. Employers should consider how well the technology supports their existing workplace safety procedures.

Emergency Alert Activation

Employees should be able to raise an alarm quickly and easily. Consider whether the alert can be activated discreetly and whether the controls are accessible while carrying equipment or performing physical tasks.

GPS and Location Capabilities

Location information can help responders identify an employee's whereabouts during an emergency. Evaluate how location is determined, how frequently it is updated, and how well the solution performs in the environments where employees work.

Professional Monitoring and Emergency Response

Consider whether alerts are sent to a designated contact, an internal response team, or a professional monitoring center. A monitored solution can provide trained operators who assess alerts and initiate the appropriate response based on the situation and established procedures.

Man Down Alarm Technology

Employees may be unable to activate an alarm after a serious fall, injury, or medical incident. Devices with Man Down Alarm functionality can detect certain movement patterns or changes in position and initiate an alert when configured conditions are met.

Because automatic detection is not infallible, employers should understand the device's detection capabilities, limitations, and settings.

Durability and Comfort

The device should suit the employee's working conditions. Consider durability, water resistance, battery life, ease of charging, and whether the device can be worn comfortably throughout a shift.

For employees working around machinery, in healthcare settings, or in industrial environments, also assess any applicable equipment, hygiene, or site-specific requirements.

Connectivity and Coverage

A wearable's capabilities may depend on cellular service, Wi-Fi, a paired smartphone, or other connectivity requirements. Review coverage in the locations where employees work, including rural areas, large facilities, and buildings with limited signal.

Privacy and Employee Acceptance

Explain what information the device collects, when location updates occur, who can access the information, and how it will be used. Clear policies help employees understand that the technology is intended to support their safety.

Which Industries Can Benefit From Wearable Safety Technology?

Wearable safety devices can support employees across a wide range of industries, particularly when workers perform tasks without immediate access to assistance.

Healthcare and home health: Nurses, home health aides, and other care professionals may visit patients independently, sometimes in unfamiliar environments where they could encounter aggressive behavior or medical emergencies.

Construction and utilities: Field technicians, maintenance workers, and construction personnel may work in isolated areas, around equipment, or in environments where a fall or injury could prevent them from calling for help.

Manufacturing and facilities management: Employees performing maintenance, inspections, or after-hours tasks may work in areas with limited foot traffic or immediate supervision.

Retail and hospitality: Employees opening or closing facilities, working overnight, or dealing with difficult customer interactions may benefit from an accessible way to request assistance.

Government and public services: Inspectors, community service employees, and field personnel may visit unfamiliar locations or interact with members of the public without colleagues nearby.

Transportation and logistics: Drivers, delivery personnel, and other mobile employees may work independently for extended periods, making communication and location information valuable during an emergency.

The most appropriate solution will depend on the risks associated with each role, rather than the industry alone.

How SoloProtect Helps Protect Employees Who Work Alone

SoloProtect provides dedicated lone worker safety devices and a smartphone-based Lone Worker App designed to help organizations protect employees across a range of working environments.

Our solutions combine personal safety technology with 24/7 monitoring and emergency response support, helping employees access assistance when they need it.

Depending on the solution, features may include:

• Red Alert: A dedicated emergency alert that connects the employee to SoloProtect's Monitoring Center.
• Man Down Alarm: Automatic detection of certain falls or incapacitation events on supported devices.
• GPS location: Location information to help the Monitoring Center identify where assistance may be needed.
• Two-way communication: Communication capabilities on supported devices to help assess an incident.
• Lone Worker App: A smartphone-based option for employees who need access to personal safety features through a compatible mobile device.

SoloProtect offers a range of devices and app-based protection, allowing organizations to select an approach based on their employees' roles, working environments, and safety requirements.

The goal is to provide more than a wearable alarm. It is to help ensure employees have a clear way to request assistance and that alerts can be assessed and escalated appropriately.

Find the Right Lone Worker Safety Solution for Your Team

Wearable technology can play an important role in workplace safety, but the best solution is one that fits the risks employees face every day.

Before choosing a device, assess your employees' working environments, emergency communication needs, and the level of response required if something goes wrong. For some roles, a consumer smartwatch may offer useful basic functions. For employees facing higher risks, a dedicated, professionally monitored lone worker safety solution may provide a more appropriate level of protection.

Your team deserves to get home safely.

Contact SoloProtect to discuss your workplace safety requirements and find a lone worker solution that fits your team.

Book a Demo to explore our lone worker safety devices and app.