Choosing a Workplace Panic Button System for Your Employees Safety
Table of Contents
You could need one and not know it!
Who needs a panic button?
Silent panic button alarms or audible panic button alarms? What should I use?
Safety solutions beyond panic buttons
What is a lone worker solution?
Why choose a lone worker solution?
Why do you need a lone worker solution vs. a stand-alone panic button?
You could need one and not know it!
Panic buttons are an essential occupational safety technology that goes by many names: duress alarm, emergency signal, SOS alarm, personal alarm, alert button, a panic alarm, and most commonly, panic button. This safety device has so many monikers because they are so widely used in a range of industries and work. Regardless of what they are called, they all are intended to do one thing: raise the alarm in emergencies when an employee requires immediate help.
What is a panic button?
A panic button will request help in emergencies at work. It does this by notifying an emergency contact, assigned employee, local law enforcement, or security and emergency services.
What is a panic alarm?
While used synonymously with a panic button, a panic alarm is any device that requests help when people or property may be in harm’s way. In many cases, a panic alarm is controlled by a panic button but can include loud, intimidating alarms or any other communications system that quickly requests help.
Who needs a panic button?
These devices can help protect workers in many industries – from security workers and farmers to community healthcare workers and hotel and hotel housekeeping staff who face physical and verbal abuse and sexual harassment, and assault.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), out of the more than 5,000 fatal workplace injuries in the United States in 2019, nearly 800 were due to assault by another person. In OSHA’s factsheet on workplace violence, about 2 million people are victims of workplace violence every year in the United States.
According to the BLS, more than 20,000 workers in the private industry experienced trauma from nonfatal workplace violence in 2019; these incidents required days away from work.
They also found that of those victims:
68% were female
65% were aged 25 to 54
70% worked in the healthcare and social assistance industry
21% required 31 or more days away from work to recover, and 20% involved 3 to 5 days away from work.
There are industries more prone to violence, like hotel workers as well as taxi drivers who are “over 20 times more likely to be murdered on the job than other workers.”
Silent panic button alarms or audible panic button alarms? What should I use?
Do you need a silent or audible panic button for your safety needs? Before we answer that, let’s look at the purpose of each.
Silent panic button alarm
A silent panic button is suitable for situations where the employee is dealing with aggressive and threatening behavior from a public member or a coworker. In this case, if the emergency call is exposed with some sound or signal, it could worsen the circumstances or scare the person away, making it more difficult to apprehend them.
Audible panic button alarm
However, an audible panic button indicates that you have signaled an emergency and help is coming. It could prevent a violent assault if it scares off the person before anything happens. However, it could also agitate them further, putting the employee in danger. Even the loudest personal safety alarm could make the person angrier instead of scaring them away.
Safety solutions beyond panic buttons
Panic buttons are essential safety devices used in a wide range of industries and work to raise the alarm in emergencies when an employee requires immediate help. Although they serve an essential purpose, there is a more comprehensive solution to protecting employees working alone or in potentially dangerous situations, that solution is a lone worker check-in system.
What is a lone worker solution?
A lone worker solution provides comprehensive protection for employees working alone or in potentially dangerous situations. Unlike a panic button, a lone worker solution like SafetyLine provides real-time employee safety monitoring, including GPS tracking, automated check-ins, and instant alerts in emergencies.
Why choose a lone worker solution?
A lone worker solution offers many advantages over a panic button. For example, a lone worker solution provides a proactive approach to employee safety, whereas a panic button is a reactive measure. A lone worker solution lprovides real-time monitoring and automated check-ins, ensuring that employees are always safe. Additionally, a lone worker solution offers GPS location tracking, allowing employers to pinpoint the exact location of an employee in distress.
Another advantage of a lone worker solution is that it can be customized to fit the needs of different industries and work environments. For example, SafetyLine offers a range of safety features, including an in-app panic button, ensuring that employees have access to the right safety measures in their specific work environment.
Why do you need a lone worker solution vs. a stand-alone panic button?
The statistics on workplace violence and injury are staggering. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019, there were more than 40,000 nonfatal assaults and intentional injuries at workplaces that involved at least one day away from work. Additionally, about 2 million people are victims of workplace violence annually in the United States. These incidents can cause physical and emotional harm to employees and traumatize them for years after the incident. In particular US states and cities, unique safety legislation requires employers to provide their staff with panic buttons at no cost to the employee. However, a lone worker solution like SafetyLine provides a more comprehensive safety solution for all employees working alone or in potentially dangerous situations.
While panic buttons are essential in raising the alarm in emergencies, a lone worker solution like SafetyLine provides comprehensive protection for employees working alone or in potentially dangerous situations. By offering real-time monitoring, automated check-ins, and GPS tracking, SafetyLine ensures that employees are always safe. If you want to add a workplace safety solution, consider a lone worker solution like SafetyLine.
As we conclude our exploration of the critical role panic buttons and alarms play in enhancing workplace safety, it's evident that such technologies are indispensable in safeguarding employees, particularly those working in isolation. For organizations seeking to implement these vital safety measures, our Lone Worker Safety Solution App provides an advanced, user-friendly platform designed to keep lone workers safe in any scenario. We understand that budget considerations are crucial for every business, which is why we offer flexible pricing options to ensure that companies of all sizes can afford the best in safety technology. Furthermore, the importance of panic buttons is just one aspect of a comprehensive approach to workplace safety. We encourage you to delve deeper into the various types of hazards that employees may face by visiting our detailed guide on Workplace Hazards. Together, we can create a safer, more secure working environment for everyone, ensuring that safety is never compromised.