Lone Worker alarm protects Institute's staff

The SBES LifeSaver Lone Worker portable alarm system provided an ideal combination of versatile personnel safety, ease of use and economy for the National Institute of Biological Standards and Control

The SBES LifeSaver Lone Worker portable alarm system provided an ideal combination of versatile personnel safety, ease of use and economy for the National Institute of Biological Standards and Control in satisfying its Health and Safety duty of care to staff working in high risk areas at its Potters Bar site.

A public funded body under the Department of Health, the Institute installed LifeSaver to cover various areas not generally populated during the working day, such as plant rooms and walk-in freezers, and other high risk spots after comparing the SBES system with others on the market.

According to the Institute's Environmental Health and Safety Advisor, the SBES system appeared to be the most versatile without being overcomplicated, and was also the most economically advantageous.

The system is used by both Institute staff and external contractors who may be working alone in risk areas.

The wire-free alarm transmitters immediately inform the necessary personnel of any problem that may arise and its location.

Installation was relatively easy and the system is very simple to use, according to the EH and S advisor, who also reports that it gave cost-savings in terms of man-hours since staff do not have to continually work in pairs or stop to telephone Security every half hour.

Weekend work has also been made easier and safer.

Most of the LifeSaver alarms are kept at the main reception area and are issued by a logging out and in system, which gave the added advantage in an evacuation of showing if a unit is in use and whether particular areas need to be searched.

Some alarm units are also positioned at the main entry points into specific high risk areas, with clear instructions to staff authorised to work in such locations to use a unit whenever working alone.

The system is very easy to understand and manage, reports the EH and S Advisor, explaining that the concise instructions enabled contractors to master its use very quickly.

He also reported that the after-installation service provided by SBES has been excellent.

Another advantage of the system at the Institute was its ability to work within walk-in freezers and cold storage areas where other devices such as mobile phones, pagers and radios did not operate.

The need for Lone Worker protection at the Institute facility was identified by risk assessments carried out in accordance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

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