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Duress Alarms: How To Use Them To Protect Your Workers?

Any business that employs lone workers, high-risk workers, remote workers, or those who work in or near dangerous environments should consider purchasing a personal duress alarm. These professionals include medical workers like doctors, health care workers like nurses, social workers, psychologists, pathologists, or possibly aged care workers.

It can also include professions like:

Convenience store and service station attendants working at night
Real estate agents and salespeople
Long-distance truckers
Those conducting fieldwork in remote locations or alone, such as park rangers, researchers and scientists
Security guards
People who work for financial institutions

They typically work alone at stand-alone buildings with little to no support.

The most common duress alarm is a small, lightweight device, typically the size and shape of a pendant, which you should wear at all times. After pressing the help button, a signal will go through to a response centre where trained professionals respond.

It is vital to examine the different options and features available to determine which solution best suits your organisation's safety policies and procedures, compliance with legal requirements, and business management needs.

When Should Your Organisation Deploy Duress Alarms?

Having employees who work alone, out in the community, or remotely exposes them to the risk of being unable to contact co-workers or managers if things go wrong. Having personal duress alarms in place ensures that your lone workers are adequately protected so that they can get help quickly, easily, and discreetly in the event of an emergency. Conversely, the absence of a duress alarm leaves your employees open to any dangerous - and potentially fatal - incidents that could occur.

Duress Alarms And Workplace Health And Safety

Remote or lone workers should be protected by their companies, with communication and safety policies documented.

Protecting lone workers isn't just an ethical decision for managers; it is a legislated requirement. Under the National Model Work Health and Safety Legislation, employers must manage the risks associated with remote and isolated work, including communicating effectively with the worker.

What Are The Different Types Of Duress Alarm?

There are different types of duress alarms for different types of situations. However, in their most simple and common form, duress alarms feature an emergency button. Responders on the other end of the alarm can be notified when this button is pressed. A person in danger can then be found and helped using the duress alarm.

There are other models with interactive features. With this feature, people who have an alarm can communicate with people on the other end. While working away from headquarters, workers will often check in using these devices.

There are also duress alarms available that can be silent or trigger a loud alarm system. These are primarily used in circumstances where the worker might be in danger, as an armed robbery. The signal will enable emergency services to be called, and loud alarms can draw attention to the situation and often deter would-be criminals.

For more information on the best duress alarms for your remote or lone workers, contact the team at Advanced Security Group on 1300 130 618.